Independent cities and Counties of Virginia
LocationCommonwealth of Virginia
Number95 Counties
38 Independent cities
Populations(Counties): 2,301 (Highland) – 1,138,331 (Fairfax)
(Independent cities): 3,609 (Norton) – 455,618 (Virginia Beach)
Areas(Counties): 26 square miles (67 km2) (Arlington) – 978 square miles (2,530 km2) (Pittsylvania)
(Independent cities): 2 square miles (5.2 km2) (Falls Church) – 400 square miles (1,000 km2) (Suffolk)
Government
Subdivisions
  • (Counties): cities, towns, unincorporated communities, census designated place
    (Independent cities): Borough, Neighborhood
Virginia counties and cities by year of establishment

The Commonwealth of Virginia is divided into 95 counties, along with 38 independent cities that are considered county-equivalents for census purposes. In Virginia, cities are co-equal levels of government to counties, but towns are part of counties. For some counties, for statistical purposes, the Bureau of Economic Analysis combines any independent cities with the county that it was once part of (before the legislation creating independent cities took place in 1871).

Many county seats are politically not a part of the counties they serve; under Virginia law, all municipalities incorporated as cities are independent cities and are not part of any county. Some of the cities in the Hampton Roads area, including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, and Suffolk) were formed from an entire county. These cities are no longer county seats, since the counties ceased to exist once the cities were completely formed but are functionally equivalent to counties. Also in Virginia, a county seat may be an independent city surrounded by, but not part of, the county of which it is the administrative center; for example, Fairfax City is both the county seat of Fairfax County and is completely surrounded by Fairfax County but the city is politically independent of the county.

Map showing the population density of Virginia

There are 38 independent cities, which are considered county-equivalents for census purposes.

Many towns are as large as cities but are not incorporated as cities and are situated within a parent county or counties. Seven independent cities had 2020 populations of less than 10,000 with the smallest, Norton having a population of only 3,687.[1] In 2020, the largest towns were Leesburg (with 48,250 people) and Blacksburg (44,826). Six other towns also had populations of over 10,000 people.[1] For a complete list of these towns, see List of towns in Virginia. For major unincorporated population centers, see List of unincorporated communities in Virginia.

Virginia's independent cities were classified by the Virginia General Assembly in 1871 as cities of the first class and cities of the second class.[2] The Virginia Constitution of 1902 defined first class cities as those having a population of 10,000 or more based upon the last census enumeration while second class cities were those that had a population of less than 10,000.[2] Cities that previously been granted a city charter, but did not have the requisite population, had their status grandfathered in.[2]

Second class did not have a court of record and were required to share the cost of that court with their adjacent county and also shared the cost for three constitutional officers of that court—generally, the clerk, commonwealth attorney and sheriff—and those shared officers stood for election in both the city and the county.[2] At least two constitutional officers—treasurer and commissioner of the revenue—were required to be elected solely by the residents of the city.[2] The distinction between first and second class cities was ended with the Virginia Constitution of 1971.[2] However, cities that were classified as second class cities at the time of the adoption of the 1971 Virginia Constitution were authorized to continue sharing their court system and three constitutional officers with the adjacent county.[2] As of 2003, 14 of Virginia's independent cities retain these features.[2]

There are several counties and cities that have the same name but are separate politically. These currently include Fairfax, Franklin, Richmond, and Roanoke. In the past they also included Norfolk and Alexandria, whose counties changed their names, ostensibly to end some of the confusion; as well as Bedford, where a city was surrounded by a county of the same name from 1968 until 2013, when the city reverted to town status. A city and county that share a name may be completely unrelated in geography. For example, Richmond County is nowhere near the City of Richmond, and Franklin County is even farther from the City of Franklin.

More Virginia counties are named for women than in any other state.[3]

Virginia's postal abbreviation is VA and its FIPS state code is 51.

List of the 95 counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia (links shown under FIPS County Code are for the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics Info Page for that county):

Clickable map

Virginia counties and independent cities
Virginia counties and independent cities

List of counties

County
FIPS code[4] County seat[5][6] Est.[5] Origin Etymology Population[7] Area[5] Map
Accomack County 001 Accomac1663Accomac Shire was established in 1634 as one of the original eight shires of Virginia. In 1642, it was renamed Northampton County. Then in 1663, Northampton County was divided into two counties. The southern half remained Northampton County while the northern half became Accomac County -- later renamed Accomack with a "k."From the Native American word Accawmack, meaning "on the other side", referencing the county's position across Chesapeake Bay 33,191 455 sq mi
(1,178 km2)
State map highlighting Accomack County
Albemarle County 003 Charlottesville1744In 1744, the Virginia General Assembly created Albemarle County by taking the northern portion of Goochland County.Willem Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle, colonial proprietary governor 114,534 723 sq mi
(1,873 km2)
State map highlighting Albemarle County
Alleghany County 005 Covington1822Formed from parts of Bath and Botetourt counties as well as Monroe County (now in WV)Alleghany Mountains 14,835 446 sq mi
(1,155 km2)
State map highlighting Alleghany County
Amelia County 007 Amelia1735Formed from Brunswick and Prince George countiesPrincess Amelia Sophia, second daughter of George II of Great Britain 13,455 357 sq mi
(925 km2)
State map highlighting Amelia County
Amherst County 009 Amherst1761From Albemarle countyJeffery Amherst, British conqueror of Quebec during the Seven Years' War and colonial governor of Virginia 31,589 475 sq mi
(1,230 km2)
State map highlighting Amherst County
Appomattox County 011 Appomattox1845From Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte and Prince Edward countiesAppomattox River 16,748 334 sq mi
(865 km2)
State map highlighting Appomattox County
Arlington County 013 Arlington1846Annexed from the District of Columbia, having previously been part of Fairfax County prior to the district's formationArlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, originally called Alexandria County; renamed in 1920 234,000 26 sq mi
(67 km2)
State map highlighting Arlington County
Augusta County 015 Staunton1738From Orange CountyAugusta of Saxe-Gotha, the Princess of Wales 78,064 971 sq mi
(2,515 km2)
State map highlighting Augusta County
Bath County 017 Warm Springs1791From Augusta, Botetourt and Greenbrier counties May 1, 1791Bath, England 4,049 532 sq mi
(1,378 km2)
State map highlighting Bath County
Bedford County 019 Bedford1754From Lunenburg countyJohn Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, British politician and one of the head negotiators of the Peace of Paris 80,848 755 sq mi
(1,955 km2)
State map highlighting Bedford County
Bland County 021 Bland1861From Giles, Tazewell, and Wythe countiesRichard Bland, member of the Continental Congress and publisher of the American Revolutionary War-era tract An Inquiry into the Rights of the British Colonies 6,148 359 sq mi
(930 km2)
State map highlighting Bland County
Botetourt County 023 Fincastle1770From Augusta county.Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt, colonial governor of Virginia 34,135 543 sq mi
(1,406 km2)
State map highlighting Botetourt County
Brunswick County 025 Lawrenceville1720From Prince George county. Parts of Surry and Isle of Wight counties were added in 1732 (when the county's government was established.)Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, from which the current line of British monarchs hailed 15,921 566 sq mi
(1,466 km2)
State map highlighting Brunswick County
Buchanan County 027 Grundy1858From Russell and Tazewell countiesJames Buchanan, fifteenth U.S. President 19,352 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
State map highlighting Buchanan County
Buckingham County 029 Buckingham1761From Albemarle countyDuke of Buckingham 16,982 581 sq mi
(1,505 km2)
State map highlighting Buckingham County
Campbell County 031 Rustburg1782From Bedford countyWilliam Campbell, Revolutionary War general 55,141 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
State map highlighting Campbell County
Caroline County 033 Bowling Green1728From Essex, King and Queen, and King William countiesCaroline of Ansbach, wife of King George II of Great Britain 31,957 533 sq mi
(1,380 km2)
State map highlighting Caroline County
Carroll County 035 Hillsville1842From Grayson countyCharles Carroll of Carrollton 29,147 476 sq mi
(1,233 km2)
State map highlighting Carroll County
Charles City County 036 Charles City1634Colonial division before 1635[8]King Charles I of England 6,605 182 sq mi
(471 km2)
State map highlighting Charles City County
Charlotte County 037 Charlotte Court House1765From Lunenburg countyCharlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III of Great Britain 11,475 475 sq mi
(1,230 km2)
State map highlighting Charlotte County
Chesterfield County 041 Chesterfield1749From Henrico CountyPhilip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, British politician and Lord of the Bedchamber 378,408 426 sq mi
(1,103 km2)
State map highlighting Chesterfield County
Clarke County 043 Berryville1836From Frederick CountyGeorge Rogers Clarke, Revolutionary War general 15,266 177 sq mi
(458 km2)
State map highlighting Clarke County
Craig County 045 New Castle1851Formed from Botetourt, Roanoke, Giles, and Monroe (in present-day West Virginia) CountiesRobert Craig, U.S. Representative from Virginia 4,847 330 sq mi
(855 km2)
State map highlighting Craig County
Culpeper County 047 Culpeper1749Culpeper County was established in 1749 from Orange County, Virginia.Thomas Colepeper, 2nd Baron Colepeper, colonial proprietary governor 54,381 381 sq mi
(987 km2)
State map highlighting Culpeper County
Cumberland County 049 Cumberland1749Goochland CountyPrince William, Duke of Cumberland, British general, politician, and son of King George II 9,746 298 sq mi
(772 km2)
State map highlighting Cumberland County
Dickenson County 051 Clintwood1880Formed from parts of Buchanan, Russell, and Wise CountiesWilliam J. Dickinson, member of the Virginia House of Delegates 13,725 333 sq mi
(862 km2)
State map highlighting Dickenson County
Dinwiddie County 053 Dinwiddie1752From Prince George CountyRobert Dinwiddie, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 28,161 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
State map highlighting Dinwiddie County
Essex County 057 Tappahannock1692From the original Rappahannock County, Virginia, commonly known as Old Rappahannock County, which was split to form Essex and Richmond counties.Essex, United Kingdom 10,630 258 sq mi
(668 km2)
State map highlighting Essex County
Fairfax County 059 Fairfax1742From Prince William CountyThomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, the only British noble resident in Virginia 1,138,331 396 sq mi
(1,026 km2)
State map highlighting Fairfax County
Fauquier County 061 Warrenton1759From Prince William CountyFrancis Fauquier, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 74,664 650 sq mi
(1,683 km2)
State map highlighting Fauquier County
Floyd County 063 Floyd1831From Montgomery CountyJohn Floyd, governor of Virginia 15,619 382 sq mi
(989 km2)
State map highlighting Floyd County
Fluvanna County 065 Palmyra1777From Henrico CountyFrom the Latin name for the James River, which itself translates to "Annie's River" in honor of Queen Anne 28,159 287 sq mi
(743 km2)
State map highlighting Fluvanna County
Franklin County 067 Rocky Mount1786Formed from parts of Bedford and Henry CountiesBenjamin Franklin, publisher, orator, scholar, and U.S. Founding Father 55,074 692 sq mi
(1,792 km2)
State map highlighting Franklin County
Frederick County 069 Winchester1738From Orange CountyFrederick, Prince of Wales, eldest son of George II 95,051 415 sq mi
(1,075 km2)
State map highlighting Frederick County
Giles County 071 Pearisburg1806Formed from Montgomery, Monroe, Wythe, and Tazewell CountiesWilliam Branch Giles, U.S. Senator from Virginia 16,453 358 sq mi
(927 km2)
State map highlighting Giles County
Gloucester County 073 Gloucester1651From York CountyPrince Henry, Duke of Gloucester 39,493 217 sq mi
(562 km2)
State map highlighting Gloucester County
Goochland County 075 Goochland1728From Henrico CountyWilliam Gooch, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 26,109 284 sq mi
(736 km2)
State map highlighting Goochland County
Grayson County 077 Independence1793From Wythe CountyWilliam Grayson, U.S. Senator from Virginia 15,343 443 sq mi
(1,147 km2)
State map highlighting Grayson County
Greene County 079 Stanardsville1838From Orange CountyNathanael Greene, Revolutionary War general 21,107 157 sq mi
(407 km2)
State map highlighting Greene County
Greensville County 081 Emporia1781From Brunswick CountyRichard Grenville, commander of the English expedition to found Roanoke Colony 11,226 296 sq mi
(767 km2)
State map highlighting Greensville County
Halifax County 083 Halifax1752From Lunenburg CountyGeorge Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, President of the Board of Trade 33,644 814 sq mi
(2,108 km2)
State map highlighting Halifax County
Hanover County 085 Hanover1721From the area of New Kent County called St. Paul's ParishElectorate of Hanover, from which the current line of British monarchs hailed 112,938 473 sq mi
(1,225 km2)
State map highlighting Hanover County
Henrico County 087 Laurel1617Original county of the Colony under EnglandHenry Frederick, Prince of Wales, oldest son of James I of England 333,962 238 sq mi
(616 km2)
State map highlighting Henrico County
Henry County 089 Martinsville1777From Pittsylvania County, it was initially named Patrick Henry CountyPatrick Henry, governor of Virginia and U.S. Founding Father 49,906 382 sq mi
(989 km2)
State map highlighting Henry County
Highland County 091 Monterey1847From Bath and Pendleton Counties[9]Mountainous topography 2,301 416 sq mi
(1,077 km2)
State map highlighting Highland County
Isle of Wight County 093 Isle of Wight1634Original county of the Colony under England, initially named Warrosquyoake ShireIsle of Wight, England 40,151 316 sq mi
(818 km2)
State map highlighting Isle of Wight County
James City County 095 Williamsburg1617Original county of the Colony under EnglandKing James I of England 81,199 143 sq mi
(370 km2)
State map highlighting James City County
King and Queen County 097 King and Queen1691King and Queen County was established in 1691 from New Kent County, Virginia.King William III and Queen Mary II 6,718 316 sq mi
(818 km2)
State map highlighting King and Queen County
King George County 099 King George1721From Richmond CountyGeorge I of Great Britain 27,856 180 sq mi
(466 km2)
State map highlighting King George County
King William County 101 King William1702English colonists formed King William County in 1702 out of King and Queen County, Virginia.William III of England 18,492 275 sq mi
(712 km2)
State map highlighting King William County
Lancaster County 103 Lancaster1651Lancaster County was established in 1651 from Northumberland and York counties.Lancaster, United Kingdom 10,750 133 sq mi
(344 km2)
State map highlighting Lancaster County
Lee County 105 Jonesville1793From Russell CountyLight Horse Harry Lee, Revolutionary War general and governor of Virginia 21,982 437 sq mi
(1,132 km2)
State map highlighting Lee County
Loudoun County 107 Leesburg1757From Fairfax CountyJohn Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, British Commander-in-Chief, North America during the Seven Years' War 432,085 520 sq mi
(1,347 km2)
State map highlighting Loudoun County
Louisa County 109 Louisa1742From Hanover CountyPrincess Louise, youngest daughter of George II 40,116 498 sq mi
(1,290 km2)
State map highlighting Louisa County
Lunenburg County 111 Lunenburg1746From Brunswick CountyDuchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, from which the current line of British monarchs hailed 12,031 432 sq mi
(1,119 km2)
State map highlighting Lunenburg County
Madison County 113 Madison1793From Orange CountyJames Madison, Congressman from Virginia, principal author of the U.S. Constitution, and future U.S. President 14,000 322 sq mi
(834 km2)
State map highlighting Madison County
Mathews County 115 Mathews1791From Gloucester CountyThomas Mathews, Revolutionary War general. 8,490 86 sq mi
(223 km2)
State map highlighting Mathews County
Mecklenburg County 117 Boydton1765From Lunenburg CountyCharlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III 30,508 624 sq mi
(1,616 km2)
State map highlighting Mecklenburg County
Middlesex County 119 Saluda1673From Lancaster CountyMiddlesex, United Kingdom 10,943 130 sq mi
(337 km2)
State map highlighting Middlesex County
Montgomery County 121 Christiansburg1777From Fincastle CountyRichard Montgomery, Revolutionary War general 98,915 388 sq mi
(1,005 km2)
State map highlighting Montgomery County
Nelson County 125 Lovingston1808From Amherst CountyThomas Nelson Jr., governor of Virginia and signer of the Declaration of Independence 14,652 472 sq mi
(1,222 km2)
State map highlighting Nelson County
New Kent County 127 New Kent1654New Kent County was established in 1654 from York County, Virginia.Kent County, England 24,986 210 sq mi
(544 km2)
State map highlighting New Kent County
Northampton County 131 Eastville1634Original county of the Colony under England, initially named Accomac Shire. In 1642, it was renamed Northampton County. However, in 1663, Northampton County was divided into two counties. The southern half remained Northampton County while the northern half once again became Accomac County -- later spelled Accomack.Northamptonshire, England 11,900 207 sq mi
(536 km2)
State map highlighting Northampton County
Northumberland County 133 Heathsville1648The county was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1648 during a period of rapid population growth and geographic expansion.Northumberland, United Kingdom 12,302 192 sq mi
(497 km2)
State map highlighting Northumberland County
Nottoway County 135 Nottoway1789From the area of Amelia County called Nottaway ParishNodawa tribe 15,559 315 sq mi
(816 km2)
State map highlighting Nottoway County
Orange County 137 Orange1734Settlers established the legal entity of Orange County in 1734 from a portion of Spotsylvania County, Virginia.William IV, Prince of Orange, to celebrate his marriage to the Royal Princess Anne of the House of Hanover, England on March 25, 1734. The county was formed on August 8, 1734 37,991 342 sq mi
(886 km2)
State map highlighting Orange County
Page County 139 Luray1831From Shenandoah and Rockingham countiesJohn Page, governor of Virginia 23,750 311 sq mi
(805 km2)
State map highlighting Page County
Patrick County 141 Stuart1791From Patrick Henry CountyPatrick Henry, governor of Virginia and U.S. Founding Father 17,643 483 sq mi
(1,251 km2)
State map highlighting Patrick County
Pittsylvania County 143 Chatham1767From Halifax CountyWilliam Pitt, British Prime Minister 59,952 978 sq mi
(2,533 km2)
State map highlighting Pittsylvania County
Powhatan County 145 Powhatan1777From Cumberland CountyPowhatan tribe 31,489 261 sq mi
(676 km2)
State map highlighting Powhatan County
Prince Edward County 147 Farmville1754From Amelia CountyPrince Edward, Duke of York and Albany, brother of George III 21,927 353 sq mi
(914 km2)
State map highlighting Prince Edward County
Prince George County 149 Prince George1703From Charles City CountyPrince George of Denmark, the husband of Queen Anne 43,134 266 sq mi
(689 km2)
State map highlighting Prince George County
Prince William County 153 Manassas1731From Stafford and King George countiesPrince William Augustus, son of George II 486,943 338 sq mi
(875 km2)
State map highlighting Prince William County
Pulaski County 155 Pulaski1839From Montgomery and Wythe countiesKazimierz Pulaski, Polish-born Revolutionary War general 33,706 321 sq mi
(831 km2)
State map highlighting Pulaski County
Rappahannock County 157 Washington1833From Culpeper County. The original Rappahannock County, known as Old Rappahannock County, was created in 1656 from part of Lancaster County. Old Rappahannock County became extinct in 1692 when it was split to create Essex and Richmond counties.Rappahannock River 7,502 267 sq mi
(692 km2)
State map highlighting Rappahannock County
Richmond County 159 Warsaw1692From the original Rappahannock County, better known as Old Rappahannock County, which was split to form Richmond and Essex counties.Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond, illegitimate son of King Charles II 9,080 192 sq mi
(497 km2)
State map highlighting Richmond County
Roanoke County 161 Salem1838From the southern part of Botetourt CountyRoanoke River 96,914 251 sq mi
(650 km2)
State map highlighting Roanoke County
Rockbridge County 163 Lexington1778From parts of Augusta and Botetourt countiesNatural Bridge 22,593 600 sq mi
(1,554 km2)
State map highlighting Rockbridge County
Rockingham County 165 Harrisonburg1778From Augusta CountyCharles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, British Prime Minister 85,397 851 sq mi
(2,204 km2)
State map highlighting Rockingham County
Russell County 167 Lebanon1786From a section of Washington CountyWilliam Russell, frontiersman and state representative 25,448 475 sq mi
(1,230 km2)
State map highlighting Russell County
Scott County 169 Gate City1814Formed from parts of Washington, Lee, and Russell CountiesWinfield Scott, War of 1812 and later Mexican-American War general 21,476 537 sq mi
(1,391 km2)
State map highlighting Scott County
Shenandoah County 171 Woodstock1772Formed from non-county territory; originally named for Governor John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, but renamed in 1778.Shenandoah River 44,968 512 sq mi
(1,326 km2)
State map highlighting Shenandoah County
Smyth County 173 Marion1832From Washington and Wythe countiesAlexander Smyth, Congressman from Virginia 29,449 452 sq mi
(1,171 km2)
State map highlighting Smyth County
Southampton County 175 Courtland1749Most of it from part of Warrosquyoake ShireDisputed; either Southampton, England or Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, one of the founders of the Virginia Company 17,932 600 sq mi
(1,554 km2)
State map highlighting Southampton County
Spotsylvania County 177 Spotsylvania Courthouse1721Spotsylvania County was established in 1721 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties.Alexander Spotswood, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 146,688 401 sq mi
(1,039 km2)
State map highlighting Spotsylvania County
Stafford County 179 Stafford1664From part of Westmoreland CountyStafford, England 163,380 270 sq mi
(699 km2)
State map highlighting Stafford County
Surry County 181 Surry1652From part of James City CountySurrey, United Kingdom 6,527 279 sq mi
(723 km2)
State map highlighting Surry County
Sussex County 183 Sussex1754From Surry CountySussex, United Kingdom 10,680 491 sq mi
(1,272 km2)
State map highlighting Sussex County
Tazewell County 185 Tazewell1800From portions of Wythe and Russell countiesHenry Tazewell, U.S. Senator from Virginia 39,821 520 sq mi
(1,347 km2)
State map highlighting Tazewell County
Warren County 187 Front Royal1836From Frederick and Shenandoah countiesJoseph Warren, Revolutionary War general 41,440 214 sq mi
(554 km2)
State map highlighting Warren County
Washington County 191 Abingdon1777From Fincastle CountyGeorge Washington, Revolutionary War commander, U.S. Founding Father, and future U.S. President 53,958 564 sq mi
(1,461 km2)
State map highlighting Washington County
Westmoreland County 193 Montross1653From Northumberland CountyWestmoreland, United Kingdom 18,712 229 sq mi
(593 km2)
State map highlighting Westmoreland County
Wise County 195 Wise1856From Lee, Scott, and Russell CountiesHenry Alexander Wise, governor of Virginia 35,421 403 sq mi
(1,044 km2)
State map highlighting Wise County
Wythe County 197 Wytheville1790From Montgomery CountyGeorge Wythe, legal scholar and signer of the Declaration of Independence 28,111 463 sq mi
(1,199 km2)
State map highlighting Wythe County
York County 199 Yorktown1634Formed in 1634 as one of the eight shires of Virginia. It was originally called Charles River Shire.James Stuart, Duke of York, the future King James II 71,341 106 sq mi
(275 km2)
State map highlighting York County

List of independent cities

City
FIPS code[4] Seat[5] Est.[5] Origin Etymology Population[10] Area[5] Map
Alexandria 510 N/A1870[11]From Alexandria County[12]Phillip & John Alexander, brothers and area plantation owners 155,525 15 sq mi
(39 km2)
State map highlighting Alexandria
Bristol 520 N/A1890[12]From Washington County[12]Bristol, England 16,975 12 sq mi
(31 km2)
State map highlighting Bristol
Buena Vista 530 N/A1892[12]From Rockbridge County[12]from the Buena Vista Company, which founded an iron mine in the area and established the town for its laborers 6,591 7 sq mi
(18 km2)
State map highlighting Buena Vista
Charlottesville 540 N/A1888[12]From Albemarle County[12]Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III 45,373 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
State map highlighting Charlottesville
Chesapeake 550 N/A1963Formed out of consolidation of Norfolk County (extinct) and City of South Norfolk (extinct)[13]Chesapeake tribe 252,488 341 sq mi
(883 km2)
State map highlighting Chesapeake
Colonial Heights 570 N/A1948From Chesterfield CountyFrom the actions of Revolutionary War general Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette; his soldiers, nicknamed the "Colonials", placed an artillery on high ground overlooking Petersburg 18,294 8 sq mi
(21 km2)
State map highlighting Colonial Heights
Covington 580 N/A1952From Alleghany CountyLeonard Covington, hero of the Siege of Fort Recovery and Congressman from Maryland 5,679 4 sq mi
(10 km2)
State map highlighting Covington
Danville 590 N/A1870[12]From Pittsylvania County[12]Dan River 42,229 43 sq mi
(111 km2)
State map highlighting Danville
Emporia 595 N/A1967From Greensville CountyEmporia, Kansas 5,481 7 sq mi
(18 km2)
State map highlighting Emporia
Fairfax 600 N/A1961From Fairfax CountyThomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, only British noble resident in colonial Virginia 24,835 6 sq mi
(16 km2)
State map highlighting Fairfax
Falls Church 610 N/A1948From Fairfax CountyThe Falls Church 14,586 2.1 sq mi
(5 km2)
State map highlighting Falls Church
Franklin 620 N/A1961From Southampton CountyBenjamin Franklin, publisher, scholar, orator, and U.S. Founding Father 8,247 8 sq mi
(21 km2)
State map highlighting Franklin
Fredericksburg 630 N/A1870[12]From Spotsylvania County[12]Frederick, Prince of Wales, eldest son of King George II 28,757 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
State map highlighting Fredericksburg
Galax 640 N/A1953From Grayson County and Carroll Countythe galax shrub 6,730 8 sq mi
(21 km2)
State map highlighting Galax
Hampton 650 N/A1908Founded 1610. Current city formed by consolidation of Elizabeth City County and City of Hampton in 1952[13]Disputed; either Southampton, England or Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, one of the founders of the Virginia Company 138,037 52 sq mi
(135 km2)
State map highlighting Hampton
Harrisonburg 660 N/A1916From Rockingham County[12]Thomas Harrison, pioneering settler and town founder 51,158 18 sq mi
(47 km2)
State map highlighting Harrisonburg
Hopewell 670 N/A1916From Prince George County[12]The Hopewell, a ship that carried some of the early English settlers to Virginia 22,962 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
State map highlighting Hopewell
Lexington 678 N/A1966From Rockbridge CountyRevolutionary War Battle of Lexington 7,457 2.5 sq mi
(6 km2)
State map highlighting Lexington
Lynchburg 680 N/A1786From Campbell County[12]John Lynch, ferry operator and constructor of the first bridge across the James River in the area 79,287 49 sq mi
(127 km2)
State map highlighting Lynchburg
Manassas 683 N/A1975From Prince William CountyManassas Gap Railroad 42,642 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
State map highlighting Manassas
Manassas Park 685 N/A1975From Prince William CountyManassas Gap Railroad and Manassas National Battlefield Park 16,703 2.5 sq mi
(6 km2)
State map highlighting Manassas Park
Martinsville 690 N/A1928From Henry CountyJoseph Martin, Revolutionary War general 13,725 11 sq mi
(28 km2)
State map highlighting Martinsville
Newport News 700 N/A1896[12]From Warwick County[12]Captain Christopher Newport, English privateer[14] 184,306 68 sq mi
(176 km2)
State map highlighting Newport News
Norfolk 710 N/A1845[15]Founded 1682.[16] Incorporated as City in 1845 from Norfolk County (extinct)[13]Norfolk, England 232,995 54 sq mi
(140 km2)
State map highlighting Norfolk
Norton 720 N/A1954From Wise CountyEckstein Norton, president of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad 3,609 7 sq mi
(18 km2)
State map highlighting Norton
Petersburg 730 N/A1870[12]From Prince George and Dinwiddie Counties[12]Peter Jones, early settler and merchant 33,394 23 sq mi
(60 km2)
State map highlighting Petersburg
Poquoson 735 N/A1975From York CountyAn Algonquin term roughly translating to "great marsh" or "flat land" 12,582 16 sq mi
(41 km2)
State map highlighting Poquoson
Portsmouth 740 N/A1858[13]Founded 1752.[17] Incorporated as City in 1858 from Norfolk County (extinct)[13]Portsmouth, England 96,700 33 sq mi
(85 km2)
State map highlighting Portsmouth
Radford 750 N/A1892[12]From Montgomery County[12]John Blair Radford, owner of a plantation that included that town's lands 16,738 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
State map highlighting Radford
Richmond 760 N/A1870[12]From Henrico County[12]Richmond, Surrey, England 229,395 60 sq mi
(155 km2)
State map highlighting Richmond
Roanoke 770 N/A1884[12]From Roanoke County[12]Roanoke River 97,847 43 sq mi
(111 km2)
State map highlighting Roanoke
Salem 775 N/A1968From Roanoke CountyAfter Salem, New Jersey, home of town founder William Bryan 25,523 15 sq mi
(39 km2)
State map highlighting Salem
Staunton 790 N/A1870[12]From Augusta County [12]Lady Rebecca Staunton, wife of colonial Lieutenant Governor William Gooch 25,904 20 sq mi
(52 km2)
State map highlighting Staunton
Suffolk 800 N/A1910[18]Founded 1742.[18] Incorporated as City in 1910 from Nansemond County (extinct)[18]Suffolk, England 99,179 400 sq mi
(1,036 km2)
State map highlighting Suffolk
Virginia Beach 810 N/A1963Founded 1906 around existing community of Seatack. Incorporated as City in 1963 from Princess Anne County (extinct)[13]The city's coastal location 455,618 248 sq mi
(642 km2)
State map highlighting Virginia Beach
Waynesboro 820 N/A1948From Augusta CountyAnthony Wayne, Revolutionary War general 22,808 14 sq mi
(36 km2)
State map highlighting Waynesboro
Williamsburg 830 N/A1902[12]From James City CountyWilliam III of England 15,909 9 sq mi
(23 km2)
State map highlighting Williamsburg
Winchester 840 N/A1874[12]From Frederick County [12]Winchester, England 27,936 9 sq mi
(23 km2)
State map highlighting Winchester

Top 10 most populated cities in Virginia (2010)

Virginia counties and cities by population density (population/ square mile) in 2015

Virginia counties and cities by population in 2010

Smithsonian Trinomial Abbreviations

List of County Abbreviations[19]

Code County Name Code County Name Code County Name Code County Name
AC Accomack CU Cumberland KQ King and Queen PU Pulaski
AG Alleghany DK Dickenson KW King William PW Prince William
AH Amherst DW Dinwiddie LA Lancaster RA Rappahannock
AL Albemarle ES Essex LE Lee RB Rockbridge
AM Amelia FD Frederick LD Loudoun RC Richmond
AP Appomattox FL Floyd LO Louisa RH Rockingham
AR Arlington County FQ Fauquier LU Lunenburg RO Roanoke
AU Augusta FR Franklin MA Madison RU Russell
BA Bath FV Fluvanna MI Middlesex SC Scott
BD Bedford FX Fairfax MK Mecklenburg SH Shenandoah
BK Buckingham GI Giles MO Montgomery SM Smyth
BL Bland GL Gloucester MT Mathews SO Southampton
BO Botetourt GO Goochland NK New Kent SP Spotsylvania
BR Brunswick GR Greene NL Nelson ST Stafford
BU Buchanan GV Greensville NO Northampton SU Surry
CA Carroll GY Grayson NT Nottoway SX Sussex
CB Campbell HE Henry NU Northumberland TZ Tazewell
CC Charles City HI Highland OR Orange WA Washington
CG Craig HN Hanover PA Page WE Westmoreland
CH Chesterfield HR Henrico PE Prince Edward WI Wise
CK Clarke HX Halifax PG Prince George WR Warren
CL Caroline IW Isle of Wight PK Patrick WY Wythe
CP Culpeper JC James City PO Powhatan YO York
CR Charlotte KG King George PT Pittsylvania

List of Independent City Abbreviations[19]

Code City Name Code City Name Code City Name Code City Name
ALX Alexandria EMP Emporia LYN Lynchburg RAD Radford
BED Bedford FAL Falls Church MAN Manassas RIC Richmond
BRI Bristol FAX Fairfax MAR Martinsville ROA Roanoke
BVA Buena Vista FRD Fredericksburg MPK Manassas Park SAL Salem
CHE Chesapeake FRK Franklin NNS Newport News STA Staunton
CHR Charlottesville GLX Galax NOR Norfolk SUF Suffolk
CHS Colonial Heights HAM Hampton NRT Norton VAB Virginia Beach
CLF Clifton Forge HAR Harrisonburg PET Petersburg WIL Williamsburg
COV Covington HOP Hopewell POQ Poquoson WIN Winchester
DAN Danville LEX Lexington POR Portsmouth WNB Waynesboro

Largest cities

Fictional counties

  • The historical drama TV series The Waltons is set in Jefferson County, specifically in the fictional community of Walton's Mountain.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Population and Area of All Virginia Local Governments, 1790-2010". Archived 2017-05-25 at the Wayback Machine Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Former Second Class Cities in Virginia". Archived 2014-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  3. Kane, Joseph Nathan; Aiken, Charles Curry (2005). The American Counties: Origins of County Names, Dates of Creation, and Population Data, 1950-2000. Scarecrow Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-8108-5036-1.
  4. 1 2 "EPA County FIPS Code Listing". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 National Association of Counties. "NACo - Find a county". Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  6. Virginia Commission on Local Government. "County Seats" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2010. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  7. "U.S. Census 2022 population estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  8. "Virginia Historical Counties" Archived 2004-08-04 at the Wayback Machine. Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Chicago: Newberry Library. Retrieved 2010-07-10. Select the map for December 31, 1634 (the earliest date available).
  9. "About Us: History". Highland County. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  10. "2022 U.S. Census Quickfacts website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  11. "Virginia Historical Counties" Archived 2004-08-04 at the Wayback Machine. Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Chicago: Newberry Library. Retrieved 2010-07-09. Compare the maps for July 9 and July 10, 1902.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Census Office (1920), Fourteenth Census of the United States
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Durman, George W. "Current Virginia Counties & Independent Cities". Germanna Colonies. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  14. King, Lauren. "What's in a name? | Newport News". pilotonline.com.
  15. City of Norfolk. "19th Century History". City of Norfolk History. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  16. City of Norfolk. "17th Century History". City of Norfolk History. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  17. City of Portsmouth. "City of Portsmouth, Virginia - History". City of Portsmouth. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  18. 1 2 3 City of Suffolk. "All About Suffolk: History". Suffolk: Community. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  19. 1 2 "County List". www.vahighways.com. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
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