Norton is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, located in the far western tip of the state and surrounded by Wise County, Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,687, making it the least populous city in Virginia. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Norton with surrounding Wise County for statistical purposes.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Norton ranks

All →

#4Cheapest rent in VA #4Most affordable in VA #10Lowest property tax in VA All VA rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code24273

Area code276

Living in Norton

Housing in Norton

$117K▼ 4.1% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Norton home is worth about $117,000, down 4.1% in a year, 72% below the Virginia typical home.

Only 1 sale in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Norton

D⁻

Safety Grade D-

Norton reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 99% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Norton 3.8

Virginia 2.1

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Norton 64.6

Virginia 13.9

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Norton

Full picture →

About one in 3 of Norton’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Wise (13%), Big Stone Gap (5%) and Pound (2%). Half commute less than 6 miles.

Wise

13%

Big Stone Gap

Pound

Kingsport, TN

31%Work in townlive and work in Norton 6 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 3,293Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Norton →

Health in Norton

Health Grade D

Healthier than 8% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 37% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Virginia

21worse than VA

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 11 are too close to call.

Conditions 10▼ 2 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 2▼ 5 close Mind 3▼ 2 close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

11%More adults with COPDVA 6.2% · worse 20%More smokersVA 12.2% · worse 17.3%More older adults who have lost all their teethVA 11.1% · worse

Care nearby

Lonesome Pine HospitalBig Stone Gap · 8.2 mi · ER

Appalachia Family Health CenterAppalachia · 8.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Norton · CMS · HRSAHealth in Norton →

Natural hazards in Norton

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 22% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🏚️ Earthquakes

24Does Norton flood?paid flood claims since 1982 5Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Norton

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Norton →

Climate in Norton

Full climate →

Norton has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 25°, and about 47 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

45° / 27°Winter

64° / 42°Spring

80° / 60°Summer

66° / 44°Fall

How much snow does Norton get?About 47 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 18, with the last in spring around Apr 25.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.6° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Norton →

Schools in Norton

All Norton schools →

School Grade A

The public schools Norton’s kids attend outperform 93% of Virginia’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

#33Best public schoolsof 219 in VA

DistrictNorton City Public SchoolsSchools2

Norton Elementary A-Elementary · Grades PK–7 · 527 students J.I. Burton High AHigh · Grades 8–12 · 328 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within VA. Ratings are from neighbors.