Adjacent counties

• Russell County – northwest
• Tazewell County – north
• Bland County – northeast
• Wythe County – east
• Grayson County – south
• Washington County – southwest

National protected areas

• Jefferson National Forest (part)
• Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (part)

Major highways

• I-81
• US 11
• SR 16
• SR 42
• SR 91
• SR 107

2020 census

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2000 Census

As of the census^[10] of 2000, there were 33,081 people, 13,493 households, and 9,607 families residing in the county. The population density was 73 inhabitants per square mile (28/km²). There were 15,111 housing units at an average density of 33 units per square mile (13 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.86% White, 1.87% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,493 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.60% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 90.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,083, and the median income for a family was $36,392. Males had a median income of $26,698 versus $19,712 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,105. About 9.90% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 14.00% of those age 65 or over.

Public high schools

• Chilhowie High School, Chilhowie
• Marion Senior High School, Marion
• Northwood High School, Saltville

Towns

• Chilhowie
• Marion
• Saltville (partly in Washington County)

Census-designated places

• Adwolfe
• Atkins
• McMullin
• Seven Mile Ford
• Sugar Grove

Other unincorporated communities

• Groseclose
• Rich Valley