Wise ZIP Codes — Wise County, VA

There is one unique ZIP code in Wise, Virginia and it is 24293. Area code: 276.

ZIP codes

56.65

sq mi land

0.35

sq mi water

276

area code

Wise, VA ZIP code map

About Wise, VA

Wise, Virginia is a quaint city located in Wise County, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage. With a single ZIP code, 24293, this charming town offers a tight-knit community atmosphere. Residents and visitors alike appreciate Wise's blend of natural beauty and local history.

Location & geography

Wise is situated in the southwestern corner of Virginia, surrounded by the stunning Appalachian Mountains. Nearby cities include Norton, which is approximately 6 miles to the north, Big Stone Gap about 7 miles to the northeast, and Coeburn, located roughly 9 miles to the east. The city covers a land area of 56.65 square miles, with an additional water area of 0.35 square miles, providing a mix of scenic hills and waterways.

Community & economy

The community of Wise is characterized by its friendly residents and a strong sense of local pride. The economy is supported by various industries, including education, healthcare, and retail, with significant influences from the nearby University of Virginia's College at Wise. Daily life here includes local events, festivals, and outdoor activities that reflect the area's vibrant culture and strong community ties.

Transportation

Wise is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 23 and Virginia State Route 80, making travel to and from neighboring towns convenient. The nearest major airport is the Tri-Cities Airport in Tennessee, which is about 40 miles away, while local transport options may be limited to personal vehicles. Public transit services may not be widely available, so having a car is advisable for exploring the region.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Wise has deep roots in coal mining and the railroad industry, which played crucial roles in its early development. The city became officially recognized in the 1990s and has since celebrated its heritage while evolving into a hub for education and healthcare. Notable events include the yearly festivities that honor both local history and the cultural significance of the surrounding Appalachian region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Wise, VA is that it is home to the University of Virginia's College at Wise, which contributes to the city's youthful energy and educational opportunities. Additionally, Wise hosts several annual events that celebrate Appalachian music and culture, drawing visitors from across the region.

ZIP codes for Wise, VA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24293	Wise	Wise	View map

Demographics & statistics

9,749

Population

40.5

Median age

$48,591

Median household income

$25,546

Per capita income

$114,600

Median home value

$728

Median monthly rent

71.7%

Home ownership

21.8%

Poverty rate

5.9%

Unemployment

3,500

Housing units

21.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

236

Under 5

263

233

5–9

259

262

10–14

293

284

15–19

317

455

20–24

508

622

25–34

693

492

35–44

548

605

45–54

675

304

55–59

338

285

60–64

317

486

65–74

541

251

75–84

280

85+

106

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,744	17.9%
18 and over	8,005	82.1%
65 and over	1,760	18.1%
Median age	40.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 93.5%

Two or more races 3%

Hispanic or Latino 1.3%

Black or African American 1.1%

Asian 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Other race 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	9,230	93.5%
Two or more races	297	3%
Hispanic or Latino	126	1.3%
Black or African American	107	1.1%
Asian	101	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	7	0.1%
Other race	7	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.1%

$10k–$15k 12.6%

$15k–$25k 7.2%

$25k–$35k 13.3%

$35k–$50k 14.9%

$50k–$75k 23.1%

$75k–$100k 8.3%

$100k–$150k 10.9%

$150k–$200k 3.3%

$200k+ 2.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.1%
$10k–$15k	12.6%
$15k–$25k	7.2%
$25k–$35k	13.3%
$35k–$50k	14.9%
$50k–$75k	23.1%
$75k–$100k	8.3%
$100k–$150k	10.9%
$150k–$200k	3.3%
$200k+	2.2%
Median income	$48,591

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.4%

$50k–$100k 28.2%

$100k–$150k 26.5%

$150k–$200k 11.3%

$200k–$300k 13.8%

$300k–$500k 5.7%

$500k–$1M 3.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$114,600
Median rent / month	$728
Owner occupied	71.7%
Renter occupied	28.3%
Vacant	13.2%
Single-family detached	60.0%
Large apartment buildings	4.0%
Mobile homes	28.6%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.25

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	6.7%
2000–2009	13.8%
1990–1999	17.3%
1980–1989	19.8%
1970–1979	16.6%
1960–1969	6.6%
1950–1959	8.2%
1940–1949	7.0%
1939 or earlier	3.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	4.7%
2 bedrooms	23.6%
3 bedrooms	58.1%
4 bedrooms	12.2%
5+ bedrooms	1.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.0%
1 vehicle	30.4%
2 vehicles	45.1%
3 or more	18.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.5%
Electricity	89.1%
Propane / LP gas	2.3%
Fuel oil	1.2%
Wood	2.0%
Solar	0.3%
No fuel used	1.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,000	49.7%
Cohabiting couple	254	6.3%
Male householder, no spouse	668	16.6%
Female householder, no spouse	1,105	27.4%
Households with children under 18	1,184	29.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,296	32.2%
Average household size	2.28

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.1%	26.5%
Married	53.4%	46.5%
Separated	1.6%	3.3%
Widowed	2.7%	10.3%
Divorced	9.1%	13.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.7%

Some HS, no diploma 9.3%

HS graduate 33.0%

Some college, no degree 20.8%

Associate's degree 8.3%

Bachelor's degree 9.5%

Graduate / professional 12.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	84.0%
Bachelor's or higher	21.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	13	0.6%
Kindergarten	79	3.7%
Elementary school	726	33.6%
High school	306	14.2%
College / grad school	1,034	47.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 30.3%

Retail trade 19.3%

Professional & management 10.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.8%

Public administration 7.4%

Agriculture & mining 4.8%

Finance & real estate 4.6%

Construction 4.3%

Transportation & utilities 3.5%

Manufacturing 2.9%

Other services 2.6%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Information 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	40.8%
Service	14.5%
Sales & office	26.5%
Natural resources & construction	11.2%
Production & transportation	7.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.9%
Government	24.8%
Self-employed	1.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.7%
Carpool	8.6%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	5.9%
Other means	0.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.4

Poverty

All people 21.8%

Under 18 years 30.3%

18 and over 19.9%

Married-couple families 8.6%

Female-led households 42.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.7%
Retirement income	22.1%
Supplemental Security	8.0%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.0%
High cholesterol	35.3%
Heart disease	7.0%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	28.7%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	9.0%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.1%
No physical activity	25.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.8%
Fair or poor health	17.8%
Poor mental health	16.5%
Poor physical health	11.7%
No health insurance	14.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.7%
Visited dentist	60.8%
Cholesterol screening	87.2%
Teeth loss	16.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	548	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	25.4%
Under 18	7.7%
18–64 years	22.8%
65 and over	53.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	57.7%
Public insurance	51.8%
Uninsured under 19	2.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	9,250	94.9%
Spanish	17	0.2%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	6	0.1%
Other languages	11	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,506	97.5%
Born in same state	9,456	97.0%
Born in different state	6,908	70.9%
Foreign born	50	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	243	2.5%
Not a US citizen	105	43.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	3,136	32.2%
Italian	1,637	16.8%
French	858	8.8%
English	79	0.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	41	0.4%
Polish	13	0.1%
Norwegian	11	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.3%
Internet access	87.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Wise, VA have?

Wise, VA has one ZIP code: 24293. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.