Norton, Virginia

Norton is an independent city within the confines of Wise County in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 Census, the city population was 3,958, making it the smallest city in the state by population. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Norton with surrounding Wise County for statistical purposes.

Government
Mayor: William Mays

Sheriff: Carlos Noaks

City Manager: E.W. Ward

Commissioner of the Revenue: Judy Miller

Treasurer: Barbara Muir.

Clerk of the Court Jack Kennedy, Jr.

Education

 * John I. Burton High School
 * Norton Elementary and Middle School

Geography
Norton is located at 36.93681°N, -82.62515°W, along the Powell and Guest Rivers.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.5 square miles (19.5 km²), all of it land.

Demographic
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,904 people, 1,730 households, and 1,067 families residing in the city. The population density was 518.5 people per square mile (200.2/km²). There were 1,946 housing units at an average density of 258.4 per square mile (99.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.57% White, 6.15% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87% of the population.

There were 1,730 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 81.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,788, and the median income for a family was $30,889. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $23,229 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,024. About 19.1% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.7% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.