List of cities and counties in Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia is divided into 95 counties, along with 38 independent cities that are considered county-equivalents for census purposes, totaling 133 second-level subdivisions. 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). [1]

Independent cities and Counties of Virginia
LocationCommonwealth of Virginia
Number95 Counties
38 Independent cities
133 Second-level subdivisions
Populations(Counties): 2,339 (Highland) – 1,141,878 (Fairfax)
(Independent cities): 3,492 (Norton) – 453,649 (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

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

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.[2] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[3] Cities that previously been granted a city charter, but did not have the requisite population, had their status grandfathered in.[3]

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.[3] At least two constitutional officers—treasurer and commissioner of the revenue—were required to be elected solely by the residents of the city.[3] The distinction between first and second class cities was ended with the Virginia Constitution of 1971.[3] 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.[3] As of 2003, 14 of Virginia's independent cities retain these features.[3]

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.[4]

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

edit
 Alexandria, VirginiaBristol, VirginiaBuena Vista, VirginiaCharlottesville, VirginiaChesapeake, VirginiaColonial Heights, VirginiaCovington, VirginiaDanville, VirginiaEmporia, VirginiaFairfax, VirginiaFalls Church, VirginiaFranklin, VirginiaFredericksburg, VirginiaGalax, VirginiaHampton, VirginiaHarrisonburg, VirginiaHopewell, VirginiaLexington, VirginiaLynchburg, VirginiaManassas, VirginiaManassas Park, VirginiaMartinsville, VirginiaNewport News, VirginiaNorfolk, VirginiaNorton, VirginiaPetersburg, VirginiaPoquoson, VirginiaPortsmouth, VirginiaRadford, VirginiaRichmond, VirginiaRoanoke, VirginiaSalem, VirginiaStaunton, VirginiaSuffolk, VirginiaVirginia Beach, VirginiaWaynesboro, VirginiaWilliamsburg, VirginiaWinchester, VirginiaArlington County, VirginiaAlexandria, VirginiaFairfax County, VirginiaPrince William County, VirginiaLoudoun County, VirginiaFrederick County, VirginiaClarke County, VirginiaStafford County, VirginiaFauquier County, VirginiaShenandoah County, VirginiaWarren County, VirginiaRappahannock County, VirginiaCulpeper County, VirginiaKing George County, VirginiaPage County, VirginiaRockingham County, VirginiaMadison County, VirginiaGreene County, VirginiaOrange County, VirginiaSpotsylvania County, VirginiaWestmoreland County, VirginiaNorthumberland County, VirginiaAccomack County, VirginiaNorthampton County, VirginiaYork County, VirginiaHampton, VirginiaNewport News, VirginiaJames City County, VirginiaRichmond County, VirginiaLancaster County, VirginiaMathews County, VirginiaMiddlesex County, VirginiaEssex County, VirginiaCaroline County, VirginiaKing and Queen County, VirginiaKing William County, VirginiaGloucester County, VirginiaNew Kent County, VirginiaHanover County, VirginiaHenrico County, VirginiaRichmond, VirginiaHighland County, VirginiaAugusta County, VirginiaAlbemarle County, VirginiaLouisa County, VirginiaCharles City County, VirginiaFluvanna County, VirginiaGoochland County, VirginiaChesterfield County, VirginiaSurry County, VirginiaPrince George County, VirginiaBath County, VirginiaAlleghany County, VirginiaCraig County, VirginiaBotetourt County, VirginiaRoanoke County, VirginiaMontgomery County, VirginiaPulaski County, VirginiaGiles County, VirginiaRockbridge County, VirginiaBland County, VirginiaTazewell County, VirginiaBuchanan County, VirginiaDickenson County, VirginiaWise County, VirginiaLee County, VirginiaScott County, VirginiaRussell County, VirginiaWashington County, VirginiaWythe County, VirginiaSmyth County, VirginiaGrayson County, VirginiaCarroll County, VirginiaFloyd County, VirginiaPatrick County, VirginiaHenry County, VirginiaFranklin County, VirginiaBedford County, VirginiaPittsylvania County, VirginiaCampbell County, VirginiaHalifax County, VirginiaCharlotte County, VirginiaNelson County, VirginiaMecklenburg County, VirginiaLunenburg County, VirginiaPrince Edward County, VirginiaAmherst County, VirginiaAppomattox County, VirginiaBuckingham County, VirginiaCumberland County, VirginiaPowhatan County, VirginiaAmelia County, VirginiaNottoway County, VirginiaDinwiddie County, VirginiaBrunswick County, VirginiaGreensville County, VirginiaSussex County, VirginiaSouthampton County, VirginiaIsle of Wight County, VirginiaSuffolk, VirginiaPortsmouth, VirginiaNorfolk, VirginiaVirginia Beach, VirginiaChesapeake, Virginia
Virginia counties and independent cities

List of counties

edit
County
FIPS code[5] County seat[6][7] Est.[6] Origin Etymology Population[8] Area[6] Map
Accomack County 001 Accomac 1663 Accomac 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 33,239 455 sq mi
(1,178 km2)
 
Albemarle County 003 Charlottesville 1744 In 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 115,676 723 sq mi
(1,873 km2)
 
Alleghany County 005 Covington 1822 Formed from parts of Bath and Botetourt counties as well as Monroe County (now in WV) Alleghany Mountains 14,595 446 sq mi
(1,155 km2)
 
Amelia County 007 Amelia 1735 Formed from Brunswick and Prince George counties Princess Amelia Sophia, second daughter of George II of Great Britain 13,480 357 sq mi
(925 km2)
 
Amherst County 009 Amherst 1761 From Albemarle county Jeffery Amherst, British conqueror of Quebec during the Seven Years' War and colonial governor of Virginia 31,396 475 sq mi
(1,230 km2)
 
Appomattox County 011 Appomattox 1845 From Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte and Prince Edward counties Appomattox River 16,864 334 sq mi
(865 km2)
 
Arlington County 013 Arlington 1846 Annexed from the District of Columbia, having previously been part of Fairfax County prior to the district's formation Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, originally called Alexandria County; renamed in 1920 234,162 26 sq mi
(67 km2)
 
Augusta County 015 Staunton 1738 From Orange County Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, the Princess of Wales 78,247 971 sq mi
(2,515 km2)
 
Bath County 017 Warm Springs 1791 From Augusta, Botetourt and Greenbrier counties May 1, 1791 Bath, England 4,051 532 sq mi
(1,378 km2)
 
Bedford County 019 Bedford 1754 From Lunenburg county John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, British politician and one of the head negotiators of the Peace of Paris 81,525 755 sq mi
(1,955 km2)
 
Bland County 021 Bland 1861 From Giles, Tazewell, and Wythe counties Richard Bland, member of the Continental Congress and publisher of the American Revolutionary War-era tract An Inquiry into the Rights of the British Colonies 6,179 359 sq mi
(930 km2)
 
Botetourt County 023 Fincastle 1770 From Augusta county. Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt, colonial governor of Virginia 34,125 543 sq mi
(1,406 km2)
 
Brunswick County 025 Lawrenceville 1720 From 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 15,749 566 sq mi
(1,466 km2)
 
Buchanan County 027 Grundy 1858 From Russell and Tazewell counties James Buchanan, fifteenth U.S. President 19,087 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
 
Buckingham County 029 Buckingham 1761 From Albemarle county Duke of Buckingham 16,978 581 sq mi
(1,505 km2)
 
Campbell County 031 Rustburg 1782 From Bedford county William Campbell, Revolutionary War general 55,270 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
 
Caroline County 033 Bowling Green 1728 From Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties Caroline of Ansbach, wife of King George II of Great Britain 32,640 533 sq mi
(1,380 km2)
 
Carroll County 035 Hillsville 1842 From Grayson county Charles Carroll of Carrollton 29,239 476 sq mi
(1,233 km2)
 
Charles City County 036 Charles City 1634 Colonial division before 1635[9] King Charles I of England 6,610 182 sq mi
(471 km2)
 
Charlotte County 037 Charlotte Court House 1765 From Lunenburg county Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III of Great Britain 11,336 475 sq mi
(1,230 km2)
 
Chesterfield County 041 Chesterfield 1749 From Henrico County Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, British politician and Lord of the Bedchamber 383,876 426 sq mi
(1,103 km2)
 
Clarke County 043 Berryville 1836 From Frederick County George Rogers Clarke, Revolutionary War general 15,466 177 sq mi
(458 km2)
 
Craig County 045 New Castle 1851 Formed from Botetourt, Roanoke, Giles, and Monroe (in present-day West Virginia) Counties Robert Craig, U.S. Representative from Virginia 4,843 330 sq mi
(855 km2)
 
Culpeper County 047 Culpeper 1749 Culpeper County was established in 1749 from Orange County, Virginia. Thomas Colepeper, 2nd Baron Colepeper, colonial proprietary governor 54,973 381 sq mi
(987 km2)
 
Cumberland County 049 Cumberland 1749 Goochland County Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, British general, politician, and son of King George II 9,878 298 sq mi
(772 km2)
 
Dickenson County 051 Clintwood 1880 Formed from parts of Buchanan, Russell, and Wise Counties William J. Dickinson, member of the Virginia House of Delegates 13,640 333 sq mi
(862 km2)
 
Dinwiddie County 053 Dinwiddie 1752 From Prince George County Robert Dinwiddie, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 28,343 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
 
Essex County 057 Tappahannock 1692 From the original Rappahannock County, Virginia, commonly known as Old Rappahannock County, which was split to form Essex and Richmond counties. Essex, United Kingdom 10,598 258 sq mi
(668 km2)
 
Fairfax County 059 Fairfax 1742 From Prince William County Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, the only British noble resident in Virginia 1,141,878 396 sq mi
(1,026 km2)
 
Fauquier County 061 Warrenton 1759 From Prince William County Francis Fauquier, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 75,165 650 sq mi
(1,683 km2)
 
Floyd County 063 Floyd 1831 From Montgomery County John Floyd, governor of Virginia 15,679 382 sq mi
(989 km2)
 
Fluvanna County 065 Palmyra 1777 From Henrico County From the Latin name for the James River, which itself translates to "Annie's River" in honor of Queen Anne 28,462 287 sq mi
(743 km2)
 
Franklin County 067 Rocky Mount 1786 Formed from parts of Bedford and Henry Counties Benjamin Franklin, publisher, orator, scholar, and U.S. Founding Father 55,549 692 sq mi
(1,792 km2)
 
Frederick County 069 Winchester 1738 From Orange County Frederick, Prince of Wales, eldest son of George II 95,994 415 sq mi
(1,075 km2)
 
Giles County 071 Pearisburg 1806 Formed from Montgomery, Monroe, Wythe, and Tazewell Counties William Branch Giles, U.S. Senator from Virginia 16,457 358 sq mi
(927 km2)
 
Gloucester County 073 Gloucester 1651 From York County Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester 40,057 217 sq mi
(562 km2)
 
Goochland County 075 Goochland 1728 From Henrico County William Gooch, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 27,197 284 sq mi
(736 km2)
 
Grayson County 077 Independence 1793 From Wythe County William Grayson, U.S. Senator from Virginia 15,285 443 sq mi
(1,147 km2)
 
Greene County 079 Stanardsville 1838 From Orange County Nathanael Greene, Revolutionary War general 21,301 157 sq mi
(407 km2)
 
Greensville County 081 Emporia 1781 From Brunswick County Richard Grenville, commander of the English expedition to found Roanoke Colony 11,133 296 sq mi
(767 km2)
 
Halifax County 083 Halifax 1752 From Lunenburg County George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, President of the Board of Trade 33,432 814 sq mi
(2,108 km2)
 
Hanover County 085 Hanover 1721 From the area of New Kent County called St. Paul's Parish Electorate of Hanover, from which the current line of British monarchs hailed 114,148 473 sq mi
(1,225 km2)
 
Henrico County 087 Laurel 1617 Original county of the Colony under England Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, oldest son of James I of England 334,760 238 sq mi
(616 km2)
 
Henry County 089 Martinsville 1777 From Pittsylvania County, it was initially named Patrick Henry County Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia and U.S. Founding Father 49,702 382 sq mi
(989 km2)
 
Highland County 091 Monterey 1847 From Bath and Pendleton Counties[10] Mountainous topography 2,339 416 sq mi
(1,077 km2)
 
Isle of Wight County 093 Isle of Wight 1634 Original county of the Colony under England, initially named Warrosquyoake Shire Isle of Wight, England 40,711 316 sq mi
(818 km2)
 
James City County 095 Williamsburg 1617 Original county of the Colony under England King James I of England 82,654 143 sq mi
(370 km2)
 
King and Queen County 097 King and Queen 1691 King and Queen County was established in 1691 from New Kent County, Virginia. King William III and Queen Mary II 6,720 316 sq mi
(818 km2)
 
King George County 099 King George 1721 From Richmond County George I of Great Britain 28,568 180 sq mi
(466 km2)
 
King William County 101 King William 1702 English colonists formed King William County in 1702 out of King and Queen County, Virginia. William III of England 19,030 275 sq mi
(712 km2)
 
Lancaster County 103 Lancaster 1651 Lancaster County was established in 1651 from Northumberland and York counties. Lancaster, United Kingdom 10,859 133 sq mi
(344 km2)
 
Lee County 105 Jonesville 1793 From Russell County Light Horse Harry Lee, Revolutionary War general and governor of Virginia 21,745 437 sq mi
(1,132 km2)
 
Loudoun County 107 Leesburg 1757 From Fairfax County John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, British Commander-in-Chief, North America during the Seven Years' War 436,347 520 sq mi
(1,347 km2)
 
Louisa County 109 Louisa 1742 From Hanover County Princess Louise, youngest daughter of George II 41,037 498 sq mi
(1,290 km2)
 
Lunenburg County 111 Lunenburg 1746 From Brunswick County Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, from which the current line of British monarchs hailed 12,038 432 sq mi
(1,119 km2)
 
Madison County 113 Madison 1793 From Orange County James Madison, Congressman from Virginia, principal author of the U.S. Constitution, and future U.S. President 14,128 322 sq mi
(834 km2)
 
Mathews County 115 Mathews 1791 From Gloucester County Thomas Mathews, Revolutionary War general. 8,514 86 sq mi
(223 km2)
 
Mecklenburg County 117 Boydton 1765 From Lunenburg County Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III 30,648 624 sq mi
(1,616 km2)
 
Middlesex County 119 Saluda 1673 From Lancaster County Middlesex, United Kingdom 10,924 130 sq mi
(337 km2)
 
Montgomery County 121 Christiansburg 1777 From Fincastle County Richard Montgomery, Revolutionary War general 98,666 388 sq mi
(1,005 km2)
 
Nelson County 125 Lovingston 1808 From Amherst County Thomas Nelson Jr., governor of Virginia and signer of the Declaration of Independence 14,705 472 sq mi
(1,222 km2)
 
New Kent County 127 New Kent 1654 New Kent County was established in 1654 from York County, Virginia. Kent County, England 26,134 210 sq mi
(544 km2)
 
Northampton County 131 Eastville 1634 Original 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 12,021 207 sq mi
(536 km2)
 
Northumberland County 133 Heathsville 1648 The county was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1648 during a period of rapid population growth and geographic expansion. Northumberland, United Kingdom 12,391 192 sq mi
(497 km2)
 
Nottoway County 135 Nottoway 1789 From the area of Amelia County called Nottaway Parish Nodawa tribe 15,566 315 sq mi
(816 km2)
 
Orange County 137 Orange 1734 Settlers 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 38,574 342 sq mi
(886 km2)
 
Page County 139 Luray 1831 From Shenandoah and Rockingham counties John Page, governor of Virginia 23,741 311 sq mi
(805 km2)
 
Patrick County 141 Stuart 1791 From Patrick Henry County Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia and U.S. Founding Father 17,509 483 sq mi
(1,251 km2)
 
Pittsylvania County 143 Chatham 1767 From Halifax County William Pitt, British Prime Minister 59,571 978 sq mi
(2,533 km2)
 
Powhatan County 145 Powhatan 1777 From Cumberland County Powhatan tribe 32,105 261 sq mi
(676 km2)
 
Prince Edward County 147 Farmville 1754 From Amelia County Prince Edward, Duke of York and Albany, brother of George III 22,049 353 sq mi
(914 km2)
 
Prince George County 149 Prince George 1703 From Charles City County Prince George of Denmark, the husband of Queen Anne 42,871 266 sq mi
(689 km2)
 
Prince William County 153 Manassas 1731 From Stafford and King George counties Prince William Augustus, son of George II 489,640 338 sq mi
(875 km2)
 
Pulaski County 155 Pulaski 1839 From Montgomery and Wythe counties Kazimierz Pulaski, Polish-born Revolutionary War general 33,655 321 sq mi
(831 km2)
 
Rappahannock County 157 Washington 1833 From 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 7,414 267 sq mi
(692 km2)
 
Richmond County 159 Warsaw 1692 From 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 9,184 192 sq mi
(497 km2)
 
Roanoke County 161 Salem 1838 From the southern part of Botetourt County Roanoke River 97,026 251 sq mi
(650 km2)
 
Rockbridge County 163 Lexington 1778 From parts of Augusta and Botetourt counties Natural Bridge 22,358 600 sq mi
(1,554 km2)
 
Rockingham County 165 Harrisonburg 1778 From Augusta County Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, British Prime Minister 86,568 851 sq mi
(2,204 km2)
 
Russell County 167 Lebanon 1786 From a section of Washington County William Russell, frontiersman and state representative 25,477 475 sq mi
(1,230 km2)
 
Scott County 169 Gate City 1814 Formed from parts of Washington, Lee, and Russell Counties Winfield Scott, War of 1812 and later Mexican-American War general 21,433 537 sq mi
(1,391 km2)
 
Shenandoah County 171 Woodstock 1772 Formed from non-county territory; originally named for Governor John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, but renamed in 1778. Shenandoah River 45,228 512 sq mi
(1,326 km2)
 
Smyth County 173 Marion 1832 From Washington and Wythe counties Alexander Smyth, Congressman from Virginia 29,216 452 sq mi
(1,171 km2)
 
Southampton County 175 Courtland 1749 Most of it from part of Warrosquyoake Shire Disputed; either Southampton, England or Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, one of the founders of the Virginia Company 17,975 600 sq mi
(1,554 km2)
 
Spotsylvania County 177 Spotsylvania Courthouse 1721 Spotsylvania County was established in 1721 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties. Alexander Spotswood, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 149,588 401 sq mi
(1,039 km2)
 
Stafford County 179 Stafford 1664 From part of Westmoreland County Stafford, England 165,428 270 sq mi
(699 km2)
 
Surry County 181 Surry 1652 From part of James City County Surrey, United Kingdom 6,593 279 sq mi
(723 km2)
 
Sussex County 183 Sussex 1754 From Surry County Sussex, United Kingdom 10,757 491 sq mi
(1,272 km2)
 
Tazewell County 185 Tazewell 1800 From portions of Wythe and Russell counties Henry Tazewell, U.S. Senator from Virginia 39,120 520 sq mi
(1,347 km2)
 
Warren County 187 Front Royal 1836 From Frederick and Shenandoah counties Joseph Warren, Revolutionary War general 41,843 214 sq mi
(554 km2)
 
Washington County 191 Abingdon 1777 From Fincastle County George Washington, Revolutionary War commander, U.S. Founding Father, and future U.S. President 54,050 564 sq mi
(1,461 km2)
 
Westmoreland County 193 Montross 1653 From Northumberland County Westmoreland, United Kingdom 19,013 229 sq mi
(593 km2)
 
Wise County 195 Wise 1856 From Lee, Scott, and Russell Counties Henry Alexander Wise, governor of Virginia 35,174 403 sq mi
(1,044 km2)
 
Wythe County 197 Wytheville 1790 From Montgomery County George Wythe, legal scholar and signer of the Declaration of Independence 28,104 463 sq mi
(1,199 km2)
 
York County 199 Yorktown 1634 Formed 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 70,952 106 sq mi
(275 km2)
 

List of independent cities

edit
City
FIPS code[5] Seat[6] Est.[6] Origin Etymology Population[11] Area[6] Map
Alexandria 510 N/A 1870[12] From Alexandria County[13] Phillip & John Alexander, brothers and area plantation owners 155,230 15 sq mi
(39 km2)
 
Bristol 520 N/A 1890[13] From Washington County[13] Bristol, England 16,807 12 sq mi
(31 km2)
 
Buena Vista 530 N/A 1892[13] From Rockbridge County[13] from the Buena Vista Company, which founded an iron mine in the area and established the town for its laborers 6,566 7 sq mi
(18 km2)
 
Charlottesville 540 N/A 1888[13] From Albemarle County[13] Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III 44,983 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
 
Chesapeake 550 N/A 1963 Formed out of consolidation of Norfolk County (extinct) and City of South Norfolk (extinct)[14] Chesapeake tribe 253,886 341 sq mi
(883 km2)
 
Colonial Heights 570 N/A 1948 From Chesterfield County From 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 18,393 8 sq mi
(21 km2)
 
Covington 580 N/A 1952 From Alleghany County Leonard Covington, hero of the Siege of Fort Recovery and Congressman from Maryland 5,545 4 sq mi
(10 km2)
 
Danville 590 N/A 1870[13] From Pittsylvania County[13] Dan River 41,837 43 sq mi
(111 km2)
 
Emporia 595 N/A 1967 From Greensville County Emporia, Kansas 5,463 7 sq mi
(18 km2)
 
Fairfax 600 N/A 1961 From Fairfax County Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, only British noble resident in colonial Virginia 25,144 6 sq mi
(16 km2)
 
Falls Church 610 N/A 1948 From Fairfax County The Falls Church 14,685 2.1 sq mi
(5 km2)
 
Franklin 620 N/A 1961 From Southampton County Benjamin Franklin, publisher, scholar, orator, and U.S. Founding Father 8,339 8 sq mi
(21 km2)
 
Fredericksburg 630 N/A 1870[13] From Spotsylvania County[13] Frederick, Prince of Wales, eldest son of King George II 28,928 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
 
Galax 640 N/A 1953 From Grayson County and Carroll County the galax shrub 6,717 8 sq mi
(21 km2)
 
Hampton 650 N/A 1908 Founded 1610. Current city formed by consolidation of Elizabeth City County and City of Hampton in 1952[14] Disputed; either Southampton, England or Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, one of the founders of the Virginia Company 137,098 52 sq mi
(135 km2)
 
Harrisonburg 660 N/A 1916 From Rockingham County[13] Thomas Harrison, pioneering settler and town founder 51,082 18 sq mi
(47 km2)
 
Hopewell 670 N/A 1916 From Prince George County[13] The Hopewell, a ship that carried some of the early English settlers to Virginia 22,752 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
 
Lexington 678 N/A 1966 From Rockbridge County Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington 7,528 2.5 sq mi
(6 km2)
 
Lynchburg 680 N/A 1786 From Campbell County[13] John Lynch, ferry operator and constructor of the first bridge across the James River in the area 79,535 49 sq mi
(127 km2)
 
Manassas 683 N/A 1975 From Prince William County Manassas Gap Railroad 42,696 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
 
Manassas Park 685 N/A 1975 From Prince William County Manassas Gap Railroad and Manassas National Battlefield Park 16,361 2.5 sq mi
(6 km2)
 
Martinsville 690 N/A 1928 From Henry County Joseph Martin, Revolutionary War general 13,763 11 sq mi
(28 km2)
 
Newport News 700 N/A 1896[13] From Warwick County[13] Captain Christopher Newport, English privateer[15] 183,118 68 sq mi
(176 km2)
 
Norfolk 710 N/A 1845[16] Founded 1682.[17] Incorporated as City in 1845 from Norfolk County (extinct)[14] Norfolk, England 230,930 54 sq mi
(140 km2)
 
Norton 720 N/A 1954 From Wise County Eckstein Norton, president of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad 3,492 7 sq mi
(18 km2)
 
Petersburg 730 N/A 1870[13] From Prince George and Dinwiddie Counties[13] Peter Jones, early settler and merchant 33,309 23 sq mi
(60 km2)
 
Poquoson 735 N/A 1975 From York County An Algonquin term roughly translating to "great marsh" or "flat land" 12,635 16 sq mi
(41 km2)
 
Portsmouth 740 N/A 1858[14] Founded 1752.[18] Incorporated as City in 1858 from Norfolk County (extinct)[14] Portsmouth, England 96,793 33 sq mi
(85 km2)
 
Radford 750 N/A 1892[13] From Montgomery County[13] John Blair Radford, owner of a plantation that included that town's lands 16,971 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
 
Richmond 760 N/A 1870[13] From Henrico County[13] Richmond, Surrey, England 229,247 60 sq mi
(155 km2)
 
Roanoke 770 N/A 1884[13] From Roanoke County[13] Roanoke River 97,171 43 sq mi
(111 km2)
 
Salem 775 N/A 1968 From Roanoke County After Salem, New Jersey, home of town founder William Bryan 25,600 15 sq mi
(39 km2)
 
Staunton 790 N/A 1870[13] From Augusta County [13] Lady Rebecca Staunton, wife of colonial Lieutenant Governor William Gooch 25,915 20 sq mi
(52 km2)
 
Suffolk 800 N/A 1910[19] Founded 1742.[19] Incorporated as City in 1910 from Nansemond County (extinct)[19] Suffolk, England 100,659 400 sq mi
(1,036 km2)
 
Virginia Beach 810 N/A 1963 Founded 1906 around existing community of Seatack. Incorporated as City in 1963 from Princess Anne County (extinct)[14] The city's coastal location 453,649 248 sq mi
(642 km2)
 
Waynesboro 820 N/A 1948 From Augusta County Anthony Wayne, Revolutionary War general 23,182 14 sq mi
(36 km2)
 
Williamsburg 830 N/A 1902[13] From James City County William III of England 15,847 9 sq mi
(23 km2)
 
Winchester 840 N/A 1874[13] From Frederick County [13] Winchester, England 27,617 9 sq mi
(23 km2)
 
 
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

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List of county abbreviations

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The counties have the following Smithsonian trinomial abbreviations:[20]

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

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The counties have the following Smithsonian trinomial abbreviations:[20]

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

Largest cities

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Fictional counties

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

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Cities of Virginia". encyclopediavirginia.org. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Population and Area of All Virginia Local Governments, 1790-2010". Archived May 25, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website. April 19, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Former Second Class Cities in Virginia". Archived October 11, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website. April 19, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b "EPA County FIPS Code Listing". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c d e f National Association of Counties. "NACo - Find a county". Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  7. ^ Virginia Commission on Local Government. "County Seats" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2010. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census 2023 population estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  9. ^ "Virginia Historical Counties" Archived August 4, 2004, at the Wayback Machine. Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Chicago: Newberry Library. Retrieved July 10, 2010. Select the map for December 31, 1634 (the earliest date available).
  10. ^ "About Us: History". Highland County. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  11. ^ "2022 U.S. Census Quickfacts website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  12. ^ "Virginia Historical Counties" Archived August 4, 2004, at the Wayback Machine. Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Chicago: Newberry Library. Retrieved July 9, 2010. Compare the maps for July 9 and 10, 1902.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Census Office (1920), Fourteenth Census of the United States
  14. ^ a b c d e f Durman, George W. "Current Virginia Counties & Independent Cities". Germanna Colonies. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  15. ^ King, Lauren. "What's in a name? | Newport News". pilotonline.com.
  16. ^ City of Norfolk. "19th Century History". City of Norfolk History. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  17. ^ City of Norfolk. "17th Century History". City of Norfolk History. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  18. ^ City of Portsmouth. "City of Portsmouth, Virginia - History". City of Portsmouth. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  19. ^ a b c City of Suffolk. "All About Suffolk: History". Suffolk: Community. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  20. ^ a b "County List". www.vahighways.com. Retrieved April 12, 2023.