Wise County, VA

County

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2019 Population

38,486

1.38% 1-year decline

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2019 Median Age

41.4

1.72% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

22.1%

0.332% 1-year increase

2019 Median Household Income

$38,888

1.42% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$85,500

0.117% 1-year decline

2019 Employed Population

12,942

1.02% 1-year decline

About

In 2019, Wise County, VA had a population of 38.5k people with a median age of 41.4 and a median household income of $38,888. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Wise County, VA declined from 39,025 to 38,486, a −1.38% decrease and its median household income grew from $38,345 to $38,888, a 1.42% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Wise County, VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (91.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (5.29%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.44%), White (Hispanic) (0.642%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.405%). 0% of the households in Wise County, VA speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

99.5% of the residents in Wise County, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Wise County, VA are Mountain Empire Community College (717 degrees awarded in 2020) and The University of Virginia's College at Wise (237 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Wise County, VA was $85,500, and the homeownership rate was 66.6%. Most people in Wise County, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Wise County, VA was 2 cars per household.

Wise County, VA borders Harlan County, KY, Letcher County, KY, Pike County, KY, Dickenson County, VA, Lee County, VA, Russell County, VA, Scott County, VA, and Norton city, VA.

United States Virginia Big Stone Gap, VA

Diversity

Wise County, VA is home to a population of 38.5k people, from which 99.5% are citizens. As of 2019, 1.07% of Wise County, VA residents were born outside of the country (412 people).

In 2019, there were 17.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (35.2k people) in Wise County, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.04k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 555 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Wise County, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
35.2k ± 7
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
2.04k ± 211
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
555 ± 204

1.24%

Hispanic Population

477 people

1.24% of the people in Wise County, VA are hispanic (477 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Wise County, VA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

1.07%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

412 people

1.07%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

417 people

As of 2019, 1.07% of Wise County, VA residents (412 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Wise County, VA was 1.07%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Wise County, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.8

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 11.9

In 2019, the median age of all people in Wise County, VA was 41.4. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 41, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 51. But people in Wise County, VA are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Wise County, VA residents was 41.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
110,628 ± 8,112 people
India
90,134 ± 7,331 people
Mexico
55,497 ± 5,765 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 110,628 Virginia residents, followed by India with 90,134 and Mexico with 55,497.

Citizenship

99.5%

2019 Citizenship

99.6%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 99.5% of Wise County, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Wise County, VA was 99.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Wise County, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
846 ± 172
Gulf War (1990s)
448 ± 165
Gulf War (2001-)
189 ± 83

Wise County, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.89 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Virginia. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Virginia, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Virginia across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Wise County, VA is $38,888. In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Wise County, VA was Census Tract 9314 with a value of $53,452, followed by Census Tract 9313 and Census Tract 9312, with respective values of $50,923 and $49,073.

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $58,617. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.479, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Wise County, VA employs 12.9k people. The largest industries in Wise County, VA are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,003 people), Retail Trade (1,897 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (1,228 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($64,023), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($59,643), and Public Administration ($45,581).

Wages

Median Household Income

$38,888

2019 value

± $2,697

1.42%

1 Year Growth

± 11.1%

Households in Wise County, VA have a median annual income of $38,888, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $38,345 in 2018, which represents a 1.42% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Wise County, VA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

$78,421

Average Male Salary in Virginia

± $1,407

$58,617

Average Female Salary in Virginia

± $1,090

In 2019, full-time male employees in Virginia made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Virginia by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Virginia

Asian
$72,838 ± $3,429
White
$64,618 ± $1,052
Two or More Races
$51,601 ± $4,191

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Virginia workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.13 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Virginia.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Virginia by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Wise County, VA is from Virginia.

0.479

2019 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.479

2018 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2019, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.479 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00766% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9314
Census Tract 9313
Census Tract 9312

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Wise County, VA was Census Tract 9314 with a value of $53,452, followed by Census Tract 9313 and Census Tract 9312, with respective values of $50,923 and $49,073.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Wise County, VA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 45 - 54

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

22.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wise County, VA (7.8k out of 35.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
7,133 ± 531
Black
422 ± 208
Two Or More
213 ± 140

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Wise County, VA is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

12.9k

2019 Value

± 805

−1.02%

1 Year decline

± 8.78%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Wise County, VA declined at a rate of −1.02%, from 13.1k employees to 12.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wise County, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,631 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,451 people), and Management Occupations (1,011 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wise County, VA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Wise County, VA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,631 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,451 people), and Management Occupations (1,011 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Wise County, VA has an unusually high number of residents working as Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (3.53 times higher than expected), Community & Social Service Occupations (1.71 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.38 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Wise County, VA, by median earnings, are Management Occupations ($59,661), Management, Business, & Financial Occupations ($57,714), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($51,969).

Industries

Employment by Industries

12.9k

2019 Value

± 805

−1.02%

1 Year decline

± 8.78%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Wise County, VA declined at a rate of −1.02%, from 13.1k employees to 12.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wise County, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,003 people), Retail Trade (1,897 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (1,228 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Wise County, VA, though some of these residents may live in Wise County, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Wise County, VA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,003 people), Retail Trade (1,897 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (1,228 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Wise County, VA has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (12.1 times higher than expected), Public Administration (1.85 times), and Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.57 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Wise County, VA, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($64,023), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($59,643), and Public Administration ($45,581).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Virginia to other states, or from other states to Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Mixed freight
$37.3B
Electronics
$28.7B
Machinery
$25.6B

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $37.3B, followed by Electronics ($28.7B) and Machinery ($25.6B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Virginia products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Virginia.

$325B

2020 Value in Virginia

$612B

Projected 2050 Value in Virginia

88.1% growth

In 2020, total outbound Virginia trade was $325B. This is expected to increase 88.1% to $612B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Virginia to other states, or from other states to Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $25B, followed by Maryland with $18.9B and Pennsylvania and $13.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wise County, VA went to Donald J. Trump with 80.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (18.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.65%). The most partisan county was Petersburg County, VA with 87.7% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (80.4%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (18.7%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.65%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wise County, VA went to Donald J. Trump with 80.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (18.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.65%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Wise County, VA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Virginia.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Wise County, VA

80.4% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Virginia

Petersburg County, VA
87.7% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Roanoke County, VA
87.2% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Charlottesville County, VA
85.5% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Virginia was Petersburg County, VA with 87.7% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Virginia colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Virginia

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Wise County, VA awarded 954 degrees. The student population of Wise County, VA is skewed towards women, with 1,554 male students and 2,604 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Wise County, VA are White (883 and 92.6%), followed by Unknown (30 and 3.14%), Black or African American (19 and 1.99%), and Two or More Races (10 and 1.05%).

The largest universities in Wise County, VA by number of degrees awarded are Mountain Empire Community College (717 and 75.2%) and The University of Virginia's College at Wise (237 and 24.8%).

The most popular majors in Wise County, VA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (160 and 16.8%), Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities (126 and 13.2%), and Other Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, & Treatment Professions (113 and 11.8%).

The median tuition cost in Wise County, VA for a public four year colleges is $5,693 for in-state students and $23,960 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
112 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
62 degree-majorss awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
16 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Wise County, VA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 112 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Wise County, VA according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Mountain Empire Community College
717 degrees awarded
The University of Virginia's College at Wise
237 degrees awarded

$5,693

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Wise County, VA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Mountain Empire Community College with 717 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

354

Degrees Awarded to Men

600

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 354 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wise County, VA, which is 0.59 times less than the 600 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Wise County, VA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
883 degrees awarded
Unknown
30 degrees awarded
Black or African American
19 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Wise County, VA was White students. These 883 degrees mean that there were 29.4 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 30 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Wise County, VA was $85,500 in 2019, which is 0.356 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $85,600 to $85,500, a 0.117% decrease. The homeownership rate in Wise County, VA is 66.6%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Wise County, VA have an average commute time of 21.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Wise County, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$85,500

2019 Median

± $5,688

$85,600

2018 Median

± $4,354

In 2019, the median property value in Wise County, VA declined from to $85,500 from the previous year's value of $85,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Wise County, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wise County, VA the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$38,888

Median Household Income

± $2,697

14.9k

Number of Households

± 832

In 2019, the median household income of the 14.9k households in Wise County, VA grew to $38,888 from the previous year's value of $38,345.

The following chart displays the households in Wise County, VA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Wise County, VA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wise County, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

66.6%

2019 Homeownership

66%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 66.6% of the housing units in Wise County, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 66%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Wise County, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

21.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Wise County, VA have a shorter commute time (21.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.66% of the workforce in Wise County, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Wise County, VA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (84.6%)
Carpooled (9.42%)
Worked At Home (2.62%)

In 2019, 84.6% of workers in Wise County, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.42%) and those who worked at home (2.62%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Wise County, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Wise County, VA have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

89% of the population of Wise County, VA has health coverage, with 37.4% on employee plans, 21.9% on Medicaid, 19.1% on Medicare, 8.52% on non-group plans, and 2.08% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Virginia was $7,556 in 2014. This is a 3.42% increase from the previous year ($7,306).

Primary care physicians in Wise County, VA see 2112 patients per year on average, which represents a 9.49% increase from the previous year (1929 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4154 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 935 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Nottoway County and Bristol city have the highest prevalence of diabetes (22.5%). Additionally, King and Queen County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (48.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,112 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wise County, VA

Primary care physicians in Wise County, VA see an average of 2,112 patients per year. This represents a 9.49% increase from the previous year (1,929 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Wise County, VA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

$7,556

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Virginia

$4,218

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,361

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,677

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Virginia (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.42%, from $7,306 to $7,556.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

11%

Uninsured

37.4%

Employer Coverage

21.9%

Medicaid

19.1%

Medicare

8.52%

Non-Group

2.08%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wise County, VA declined by 1% from 11.1% to 11%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Wise County, VA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.