Table of Contents
Overview
In the heart of the beautiful Appalachian mountains, you will find a
community that doesn't long for days of yesteryear--less crime, less violence,
less traffic, less stress. Our community never lost those attributes.
Located adjacent to the majestic Jefferson National
Forest, Wise County is a
progressive community in Southwest Virginia that still embraces traditional
values.
The lay of the land is more than 407 square miles of acreage with a low
elevation of 1,400 feet and a high elevation of 4,200 feet.
While celebrating four distinct seasons, the area is fortunate to have mild
weather year-round. The county's mean temperature in January is 34.2 degrees
Fahrenheit and 71.8 in July. An average rainfall is nearly 47 inches, while
snowfall is approximately 30 inches annually.
Source: LENOWISCO PDC
Population
| Community Totals |
|
| Wise County |
40,123 |
| Appalachia |
1,839 |
| Big Stone Gap |
4,856 |
| Coeburn |
1,996 |
| Pound |
1,089 |
| St. Paul |
1,000 |
| Wise |
3,255 |
| City of Norton |
3,904 |
| Distribution |
|
| Age |
Percent |
| Under 5 |
5.8% |
| Under 18 |
23% |
| 65 & Over |
13.9% |
| Sex |
|
| Female |
51.3% |
| Race |
|
| White |
96.9% |
| African American |
1.8% |
| Other |
1.3% |
Source: 2000 Census Bureau Report
Click
here for more information on our population!
IDA Support
Wise County, the City of Norton, and the Town of St. Paul all have active
Industrial Development Authorities.
Additionally, the County and City are both participants in the
Virginia
Coalfield Economic Development Authority. The VCEDA provides flexible,
low-interest loans to enhance industrial growth and development.
Government
Education
Public School System
| Elementary Schools |
7 |
| Middle Schools |
3 |
| High Schools |
7 |
| Non-Secular Schools |
2 |
Enrollment
Student/Teacher Ratio
| Elementary |
18:1 |
| High School |
14:1 |
Vocational/Technical Schools
Wise County Vocational & Technical Center provides a wide range of
traditional and non-traditional vocational opportunities. Its Electronic
Classroom sends advanced placement courses via satellite to schools throughout Virginia.
Source: Wise County/Norton City Schools
Higher Education
The
University of Virginia's College at Wise
A four-year, liberal arts, state-supported college offering Bachelor of Arts
and Bachelor of Science degrees.
Mountain Empire
Community College, Big Stone Gap
A member of the Virginia Community College System, MECC offers associate
degrees, certificate programs and specialized training for business and
industry.
Other institutions within three hours include: Virginia Highlands Community
College, Southwest Virginia Community College, Virginia Tech, Radford
University, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee, East Tennessee
State University, Old Dominion University at MECC, and Emory & Henry College.
Transportation
Strong road systems intersect the
county to provide quick access to the entire region.
United States Highways
- US 23 North-South (4-lane divided)
- US 58A East-West (4-lane divided)
- US 19 North-South (4-lane divided)
Regional Interstates
- I-75 North-South
- I-81 North/East-South/West
- I-77 North-South
- I-26 North-South
Freight Service
- Thirty trucking lines
- Federal Express (FedEx)
- United Parcel Service
- Purolator Courier
- Norfolk Southern Railway
- CSX Railroad
Scheduled Air Service
Tri-Cities Regional
Airport, Blountville, TN
- US Airways
- Atlantic Southeast Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- COMAIR
- Northwest
- Delta
Lonesome Pine Regional Airport, Wise, VA
This regional facility has a 5,280 foot lighted runway with hangers, AV gas,
and jet fuel.
Services
Electricity
Natural Gas
Water, Sewer and Solid Waste
Water is provided through water systems operated by each of the towns,
the City of Norton, and the Wise County Public Service
Authority. Total combined
capacity for all of the systems serving the County, as permitted by the Virginia
Department of Health, is 11.8 mgd (million gallons per day). At this time, total
combined production in Wise County is 6.0 mgd, leaving 5.8 mgd available for
economic growth.
Sewer service is provided by Norton and the individual towns, in
cooperation with the Coeburn-Norton-Wise Waste Water Authority. Total capacity
is 6.9 mgd.
Wise County provides landfill services for residents and industry.
Contract collection service will be provided for industries located
outside municipal corporate limits. Norton and each town provide residential and
commercial service.
Telephone
Television Cable
Distance
| Atlanta, GA |
327 |
| Baltimore, MD |
448 |
| Birmingham, AL |
415 |
| Charleston, SC |
413 |
| Chicago, IL |
562 |
| Columbia, SC |
324 |
| Columbus, OH |
259 |
| Detroit, MI |
472 |
| Indianapolis, IN |
390 |
| Jackson, MS |
630 |
| Lexington, KY |
180 |
| Memphis, TN |
518 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC |
420 |
| Nashville, TN |
308 |
| New Orleans, LA |
754 |
| New York, NY |
632 |
| Norfolk, VA |
450 |
| Philadelphia, PA |
576 |
| Pittsburgh, PA |
393 |
| Raleigh, NC |
297 |
| Richmond, VA |
361 |
| St. Louis, MO |
531 |
| Tallahassee, FL |
622 |
| Virginia Beach, VA |
462 |
Source: Norton AAA
Banking
Wise County/City of Norton
- BB&T - Big Stone Gap, Coeburn, Pound, Wise
- Bank of America - Norton
- Carter Bank &
Trust - St. Paul
- Farmers & Miners Bank - Wise
- First Bank & Trust - Norton, Wise
- First Community Bank - Pound
- Miners Exchange Bank - Appalachia, Coeburn, Norton, St. Paul
- New Peoples Bank - Big Stone Gap,
Norton (2), Pound
- Powell Valley National Bank - Big Stone Gap, Wise
- TruPoint
Bank - St. Paul
- Wachovia - Big Stone Gap, Norton
- Woodforest National
Bank - Norton
Labor Force
Civilian Labor Force
2006 Annual Average - 16,507
Estimated Labor Potential
| 2006 Unemployment |
563 |
| Outside Labor Force - |
|
| Males (16-24) |
1,279 |
| Females (25-44) |
2,405 |
| Annual New Entrants |
517 |
| Residents Commuting Outside County to Work |
5,507 |
| Total Potential |
10,271 |
Distribution of Employment
| INDUSTRY |
% OF TOTAL |
| Private |
73 |
| Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing |
0 |
| Mining |
13 |
| Contract Construction |
5 |
| Manufacturing |
3 |
| Transportation, Communication & Utilities |
3 |
| Trade |
15 |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate |
3 |
| Information |
2 |
| Services |
29 |
| Unclassified |
0 |
| Government |
27 |
Source: LENOWISCO PDC
Click
here for the latest unemployment rates for Wise County/City of Norton!
Public Safety
Law Enforcement
The number of sworn officers in each of the departments in the city and
county is as follows:
| Appalachia |
6 |
| Big Stone Gap |
16 |
| Coeburn |
8 |
| Norton (Police) |
16 |
| Norton (Sheriff) |
3 |
| Pound |
4 |
| St. Paul |
4 |
| Wise |
13 |
| Wise County Sheriff's Department |
60 |
| Total |
130 |
Fire Protection
The six incorporated towns, Norton and Powell Valley District all operate
fire departments. Within the County, there are 39 fire fighting vehicles and 190
fire fighters.
The Wise Fire Department, in conjunction with the Coeburn Fire Department,
maintains a regional 2E Hazardous Materials Team.
Rescue Squads & Ambulance
Wise County has five volunteer rescue squads and three private ambulance
services.
Planning & Zoning
Norton, the County, and each of the towns have an existing zoning and
subdivision ordinance. Each jurisdiction has a land use plan. Each has an
appointed planning commission.
In addition, Wise County and the City of Norton belong to the LENOWISCO
Planning District Commission. LENOWISCO provides comprehensive planning and
technical assistance services to each local government within the Commonwealth's
Planning District One.
Tax Rates
| Jurisdiction |
Real Estate* |
Meals** |
Personal Property* |
Lodging**+ |
Machinery & Tools* |
| Wise County |
.57 |
NA |
1.49 |
5% |
1.15 |
| Norton City |
.70 |
6% |
1.85 |
4% |
1.85 |
| Appalachia |
.35 |
3% |
.70 |
0% |
.70 |
| Big Stone Gap |
.44 |
6% |
.62 |
5% |
.62 |
| Coeburn |
.17 |
5% |
.40 |
0% |
.40 |
| Pound |
.40 |
4% |
.44 |
0% |
.44 |
| St. Paul |
.18 |
5% |
.31 |
5% |
.31 |
| Wise |
.245 |
5% |
.53 |
4% |
.53 |
*Rate Per $100 Value
**Percent of Gross Receipts
+Plus Applicable State Sales Tax
Merchants Capital Tax - Effective tax rate of $2.85
Tax information was provided by local municipalities and the Wise County and
City of Norton Commissioners of the Revenue.
Health Care
Hospitals, Bed-size
Norton
Medical Clinics
- Community Physicians, Coeburn
- Riverside Medical Clinic, St. Paul
- Stone Mountain Clinic, Appalachia
- Wise County Health Department, Wise
- Mountain View Regional Medical Center Veteran's Clinic,
Norton
Nursing Homes
- Heritage Hall, Big Stone Gap
- Heritage Hall, Wise
- Mountain View Regional Medical Center's Long Term Skilled Care of Norton
Home Health Agencies
There are several home health agencies serving Wise County and City of
Norton. Services provided are skilled nursing care, personal care aids, physical
therapy, speech therapy, hospice care, and case management through a social worker. All
providers have 24-hour emergency services.
Mail Service
| Postal Office |
Classification |
| Andover |
3 |
| Appalachia |
2 |
| Big Stone Gap |
1 |
| Coeburn |
1 |
| East Stone Gap |
3 |
| Pound |
2 |
| Norton |
1 |
| St. Paul |
2 |
| Wise |
1 |
Major Employers
- A & G Coal Corporation
- AT&T Virginia Relay Center
- Austin Powder Company
- Big Kmart
- Carter Machinery Company
- Coca-Cola Consolidated
- Comcast
- Coomer Electric
- Crutchfield Corporation
- Daniel's Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
- Double Kwik Markets
- Food City
- Glamorgan Coal Resources, LLC
- Greater Wise, Inc.
- Halliburton Energy Services
- Hardee's
- Ingle's Super Market
- The Inn at Norton
- Joy Manufacturing
- Lowe's of Wise County
- McDonald's
- Mountain Empire Community College
- Mountain Empire Older Citizens
- Mountain View Regional Medical Center
- Mullican Flooring
- Norton City Public Schools
- Norton Community Hospital
- Norton Press, Inc.
- Old Dominion Power Company
- Paramont Coal Company Virginia, LLC
- PayLess Super Markets
- Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company
- Quesenberry's
- Red Onion State Prison
- Sykes Enterprises, Inc.
- TeleMed
- Thompson & Litton
- University of Virginia's College at Wise
- Verizon
- Verizon Receivables Management
- Virginia Dept. of Transportation
- Vulcan Materials Company
- Wallen's Ridge State Prison
- Wal-Mart
- Wal-Mart Supercenter
- Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital
- Wise County Public Schools
Source: Wise County Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Media
Television
- WKPT - ABC - Kingsport, TN
- WDBJ - CBS - Roanoke, VA
- WJHL - CBS - Johnson City, TN
- WYMT - CBS - Hazard, KY
- WEMT - FOX - Greeneville, TN
- WCYB - NBC - Bristol, VA
- WETP - PBS - Sneedville, TN
- WSBN - PBS - Norton, VA
Radio
- WAXM - FM 93.5 & AM 1220
- WDXC - FM 102.3
- WEZC - FM 99.7
- WIFX - FM 94.3
- WKVG - AM 1000
- WNVA - FM 106.3 & AM 1350
- WVTF - FM 90.5
Newspapers
-Daily
- Bristol Herald-Courier
- Kingsport Times-News
- Roanoke Times-News
-Weekly
Shopping & Dining
- Cloverleaf, Big Stone Gap
- Powell Valley Shopping Center (Wal-Mart, etc.), Big
Stone Gap
- Marty Shopping Center, Coeburn
- Norton Commons (Wal-Mart Supercenter,
Maurices, etc.), Norton
- Norton Plaza, Norton
- Norton Square Shopping Center, Norton
- VA-KY Regional Shopping Center (Ingles, etc.), Norton
- Indian Creek Shopping Center, Pound
- Pound Shopping Center, Pound
- Riverside Shopping Center, St. Paul
- Ridgeview Centre (Big Kmart, Belk, etc.), Wise
- Shawnee Shopping Center, Big Stone Gap
- Wise County Plaza (Peebles Dept. Store, etc.), Wise
- Wise Shopping Center, Wise
Wise County and City of Norton residents are fortunate to have several
restaurants featuring steak, seafood, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and classic
American menus.
Leisure
Recreation/Fitness Activities
- Lonesome Pine Country Club
- Park Avenue Wellness
- Regional Rehab
- Municipal swimming pools
- Community parks
Scenic
Cultural Arts
Family Entertainment
Festivals, Events & Fairs
*Denotes activity or site in the region but outside the County
Libraries
The County and the region are served by several libraries--
Holdings for these libraries number approximately 502,313 volumes, including
audio/visual materials.
NEED MORE INFORMATION? Contact the Wise County Chamber of Commerce at
wisecountycoc@verizon.net.
|