Smyth County, Virginia Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 59th-largest in Virginia

The population of Smyth County, Virginia is 29,585 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 59th-largest county in Virginia. The median household income is $46,859, the median home value is $125,800, and the median age is 46.2.

The population of Smyth County has declined 9.5% since 2010 (32,198 → 29,137), a -0.71% annualized rate.

Smyth County within Virginia · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

29,585

Population

-0.71%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$46,859

Median Income

$125,800

Median Home Value

Smyth County covers 451 sq mi of land at 65.5 people per square mile.

About Smyth County, VA

Among US counties, Smyth County stands out first on household income: a median of $46,859, below the US median of $78,538. With 29,585 residents, Smyth County is a county in Virginia.

Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $46,859, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 11.6%, below the national 12.4%. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $125,800, with typical rent around $692.

Degree attainment is mid-range for US counties: 18.1% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 6.1%, and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.

Smyth County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Smyth County had a population of 32,198 in 2010 and 29,137 in 2024, a -9.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 32,198 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.71%.

Smyth County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

29,137

Population (2024)

32,198

Population (2010)

32,198

Peak (2010)

-0.71%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	32,198	-	-	estimate
2011	32,054	-144	-0.45%	estimate
2012	31,911	-143	-0.45%	estimate
2013	31,789	-122	-0.38%	estimate
2014	31,593	-196	-0.62%	estimate
2015	31,444	-149	-0.47%	estimate
2016	31,143	-301	-0.96%	estimate
2017	30,772	-371	-1.19%	estimate
2018	30,509	-263	-0.85%	estimate
2019	30,182	-327	-1.07%	estimate
2020	29,780	-402	-1.33%	estimate
2021	29,605	-175	-0.59%	estimate
2022	29,393	-212	-0.72%	estimate
2023	29,187	-206	-0.70%	estimate
2024	29,137	-50	-0.17%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	95.0%
Black or African American	2.0%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.6%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

46.2

Median Age

50.6%

Female

49.4%

Male

22.7%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

4.5%

5–9

4.7%

10–14

6.4%

15–19

5.6%

20–24

5.4%

25–34

11.5%

35–44

10.7%

45–54

13.8%

55–59

7.2%

60–64

7.5%

65–74

13.1%

75–84

7.0%

85+

2.6%

Children (under 15): 15.6% · Seniors (65+): 22.7%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$46,859$-44,115 vs state
Mean household income	$66,592
Per-capita income	$29,369
Poverty rate	11.6%+4.8% vs state
Unemployment rate	1.5%
Employment-to-population	48.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

25.8%

Manufacturing

21.5%

Finance & real estate

8.5%

Education & health care

6.6%

Public administration

5.0%

Construction

4.9%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.5%

Retail trade

4.1%

The largest employment sector in Smyth County is professional & business services, accounting for 25.8% of workers.

How residents commute

0.1%

Drive alone

0.5%

Carpool

83.1%

Public transit

6.1%

Work from home

22.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$125,800$-234,900 vs state

Median home value

$692

Median rent

70.9%

Homeownership rate

15,080

Total housing units

83.1%

Occupied

16.9%

Vacant

29.1%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.7%

With health insurance

88.3%

With broadband internet

20.9%

Foreign-born

7.6%

Veterans (18+)

21.5%

With a disability

97.9%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

86.1%

High School+

18.1%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Virginia

Virginia Beach (457,066)Chesapeake (251,153)Arlington (235,463)Norfolk (235,037)Richmond (227,595)Newport News (184,774)Alexandria (156,788)Hampton (137,334)Roanoke (98,677)Portsmouth (97,299)All Virginia cities →

Other counties in Virginia

Fairfax County (1,144,474)Prince William County (484,625)Virginia Beach city (457,066)Loudoun County (427,082)Chesterfield County (371,610)Henrico County (334,434)Chesapeake city (251,153)Arlington County (235,463)Norfolk city (235,037)Richmond city (227,595)All Virginia counties →

Part of Virginia

Virginia demographic profile All Virginia data →

Metro areas in Virginia

Washington (6,263,796)Virginia Beach (1,782,590)Richmond (1,327,321)Roanoke (314,661)Kingsport (309,580)Lynchburg (262,716)Charlottesville (222,937)Blacksburg (181,605)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Smyth County, Virginia has a population of 29,585 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 59th-largest county in Virginia. Population density is 66 people per square mile.

The population of Smyth County has declined 9.5% since 2010 (32,198 → 29,137), a -0.71% annualized rate.

The median household income in Smyth County, Virginia is $46,859, with mean (average) household income of $66,592 and per-capita income of $29,369. 11.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Smyth County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (95.0%), Black or African American (2.0%), Hispanic or Latino (0.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Smyth County, Virginia is 46.2 years. Residents are 50.6% female and 49.4% male.

The median home value in Smyth County is $125,800 and median monthly rent is $692. 70.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 15,080 total housing units, 16.9% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Smyth County, Virginia is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 25.8% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.5%.

Virginia Beach is among the largest cities associated with Smyth County, Virginia, with a population of 457,066.