Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 42 min6:06 am – 8:47 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 38 min7:34 am – 5:12 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People5,574 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 38.12,116 householdsMedian household income $73,614Median home value $170,100Median rent $773 a month86% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $878 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting4.2% unemployment rate66% of adults are in the labour force, 2,646 employedMain industries: manufacturing 23%, education and health care 23%, retail 12%Average commute 28 minutes82% drive alone, 10% car-pool, 1% walk or cycle, 6% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages22% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher96% finished high school, 8% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 98%, Spanish 2%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 83°F, lows 61°FColdest month January: highs 42°F, lows 24°F42 in of rain a year, on about 83 dayswettest month May18 in of snow a year, on about 10 days6 days above 90°F, 131 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Wytheville station, 13 mi away
Parks and public landsRural Retreat Lake Parkpark · 1.7 mi · 448 acresJefferson National Forestnational forest · 8.6 mi · 711,977 acresThe Big Survey Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 9.3 miHungry Mother State Parkstate park · 12.2 mi · 62 acresNew River Trail State Parkstate park · 19.5 miGrayson Highlands State Parkstate park · 19.7 mi · 4,476 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes13 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19705 of magnitude 4+, 1 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202031 mi away, near Sparta, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202031 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowWythe County, VA, compared with all US countiesHighest-rated hazardsCold wave Relatively ModerateStrong wind Relatively ModerateSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality94% of days had good air in 2025225 of 239 days measured14 moderate daysMedian index 39, worst day 77main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, Wythe County monitors, VA
Internet at home86% of households have a broadband subscription64% have cable, fibre or DSL15% rely on a mobile data plan alone12% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterTown of Rural Retreatserves 2,500 people from groundwater under influence of surface waterNo health-based violations since 20211 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation2,588 ft789 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalSmyth County Community Hospital10.7 miPost officeRural Retreat Post Office1.3 miTown hallRural Retreat Town Hall1.4 miPoliceRural Retreat Police Department1.4 miFire stationRural Retreat Volunteer Fire Department1.6 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi2 schools1 middle, 1 highHighRural Retreat High School1.7 miMiddleRural Retreat Middle School1.8 miCollegeWytheville Community College13.5 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportRaleigh County Memorial Airport BKW63 miMajor airportPiedmont Triad International Airport GSO94 miInterstateI-811.6 miUS highwayUS 111.5 miAmtrakHinton, WV HIN59 miCoachWytheville (Elizabeth Brown Park)Virginia Breeze, Operated by Dillon's13 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 24368 ZIP area.
