Wise, VA town hall & government
Wise spent $9 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $3,101 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Wise's government.
Who runs Wise
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Wise's money goes
Where the money comes from
- From the state 32%
- Sales taxes 17%
- Fees & charges 16%
- Utility sales 15%
- Property taxes 9%
- Interest, fines & other 6%
- Other taxes & licenses 5%
Who works for Wise
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. Wise didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.
Wise County Public Schools
Wise's K–12 school district, shared with Appalachia, Big Stone Gap, Coeburn, Pound and St. Paul. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Virginia districts overall: 49% local, 41% state, 10% federal
- Local 20%
- State 64%
- Federal 16%
Of the $13,256 per pupil, $8,701 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Wise kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Wise pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Wise's government
Who represents Wise
Wise is represented in Congress by Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine and Representative H. Morgan Griffith. Abigail Spanberger is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.