Locate Here

Our Community

Government

Public Safety

Housing

Arts & Entertainment

Outdoor Activities & Recreation

Healthcare

Education

Government

This organization, the Joint Industrial Development Authority, is but one illustration of the cooperation local governments undertake regularly here in Wythe County. The County of Wythe partners with the Town of Wytheville and Town of Rural Retreat in funding a shared effort in economic development.

Public Safety

The primary law enforcement agency for Wythe County is the Wythe County Sheriff’s Department, which has 39 sworn officers and is housed in the Wythe County Law Enforcement and Judicial Center adjacent to the Wythe County Courthouse. In addition, police departments are located in the towns of Wytheville and Rural Retreat. The Town of Wytheville Police Department has 30 sworn officers, and the Town of Rural Retreat has one full-time officer. In addition, Division Four of the Virginia State Police, which is headquartered in Wythe County and houses the Wytheville area office, is staffed with 26 sworn personnel and 25 civilian personnel.

Three rescue squads are strategically located throughout the county and provide service 24 hours a day. The Wythe County Rescue Squad and Wytheville Rescue Squad are both composed of paid staff and based in Wytheville; Rural Retreat Volunteer Emergency Services has facilities in Rural Retreat, and the Lead Mines Rescue Squad, also a volunteer organization, is located in the eastern portion of the county. Together, these units are staffed with 14 fully equipped vehicles and approximately 120 trained personnel. In addition to the Wythe County Life Saving Crew, two other paid rescue squads, Guardian and LifeCare Ambulance, are located in Wythe County.

Wythe County has six fire departments, located in Rural Retreat, Barren Springs, Ivanhoe, Max Meadows, Speedwell, and Wytheville. All but the last are served entirely by volunteers, with approximately 150 volunteer firefighters available for the county. The Wytheville Fire Department employs six full-time firefighters and also utilizes volunteer firefighters. Equipment throughout the county consists of 25 fire trucks and five tank trucks, as well as accessory equipment.

Housing

An attractive feature of Wythe County is its affordable lifestyle. House prices are below national average and all price ranges are available. In relocating to Wytheville one can find a variety of choices ranging from apartments, townhouses, traditional subdivisions, to farms (mini- and large), and private country living all within a very short commute to work, shopping, schools, and restaurants.

The following real estate firms serve Wythe County:

Real Estate Guides and maps are available through the Wythe-Wytheville-Bland Chamber of Commerce located at 150 East Monroe St. in Wytheville. The Chamber also maintains a listing of rental properties.

Arts & Entertainment

Wythe County isn’t just beautiful, it’s cultivating an art community through live theatre, music, painting, and so much more. Check out our partners at Visit Wytheville.

Outdoor Activities & Recreation

To truly experience Wythe County, you need to see its beauty through nature. Check out the many outdoor activities offered here at our partner’s site, Visit Wytheville.

Healthcare

Wythe County Community Hospital is located off I-81, Exit 70, at 600 West Ridge Road in Wytheville, Virginia. WCCH is a 104-bed facility, which has earned the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations’ Gold Seal of Approval.

In operation since 1972, WCCH is the only hospital located in Wythe County and provides care to a primary service area of approximately 36,000 individuals including Wythe and Bland counties. WCCH employs over 350 full-time personnel and is staffed by over 80 physicians and consulting/courtesy physicians. The hospital operates under the guidance of a seven-member Board of Directors.

Wythe County’s adult service facilities include Carrington Place at Wytheville-Birdmont Center and Rural Retreat Care Center. In-home adult care is offered by Care Advantage, Inc.

Fitness Opportunities:

Education

Wythe County Public Schools

Wythe County Public Schools maintains twelve schools and a technology center. On-time graduation rates exceed the state average and over 1100 credentials were awarded last school year. Comprehensive career and college planning is integral to the schools’ mission. The area is also served by a high performance regional Governor’s School for the intellectually gifted.

Classification Number Enrollment
Elementary 6 1,597
Middle 3 900
High Schools 3 1,255
Home School n/a 55
Private Schools 3 5% of school age children
Technology Centers 1 271 (also in High School)
Totals 18 4,076

Figures for the 2020-2021 school year.
Classification Figures
Pupil/Teacher Ratio 15:1
Graduates 324
Per Pupil Expenditure $8,658
Number of Teachers (full-time equivalents) 317
Guidance Counselors and Librarians 24
Number of Graduates Continuing Their Education 223
Number of Students Attending Governor’s Schools 36

High schools

Middle schools

Elementary schools

Private Schools

Colleges & Universities

Wytheville Community College is a comprehensive two-year college that is one of 23 community colleges in the Virginia Community College System. WCC enrolls approximately 4,000 students annually in credit courses and offers a variety of workforce improvement opportunities. Links to four-year colleges and universities in the region are provided below.

Colleges & Universities Location
Virginia Tech 51 miles northeast
Radford University 42 miles northeast
Bluefield College 37 miles north
Concord University 48 miles north
Emory & Henry College 43 miles southwest
Old Dominion University Wytheville

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