List of counties in Virginia

For a list of Virginia independent cities, which are county-equivalent for census purposes, see List of cities in Virginia
Independent cities and Counties of Virginia
Location Commonwealth of Virginia
Number 95 Counties
38 Independent Cities
Populations (Counties):2,536 (Highland) – 1,118,602 (Fairfax)
(Independent cities):2,536 (Norton) – 447,021 (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) (Manassas Park) – 400 square miles (1,000 km2) (Suffolk)
Government County 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. Note that the map in this article, taken from the official United States Census Bureau site, includes Clifton Forge and Bedford as independent cities. This reflected the political reality at the time of the 2000 Census. However, both have since chosen to revert to town status. 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 (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.

It is also worthy of note that there are several counties and cities which 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.[1]

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

Alexandria, Virginia Bedford, Virginia Bristol, Virginia Buena Vista, Virginia Charlottesville, Virginia Chesapeake, Virginia Covington, Virginia Danville, Virginia Emporia, Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Falls Church, Virginia Franklin, Virginia Fredericksburg, Virginia Galax, Virginia Colonial Heights, Virginia Hampton, Virginia Hopewell, Virginia Harrisonburg, Virginia Lexington, Virginia Lynchburg, Virginia Manassas, Virginia Manassas Park, Virginia Martinsville, Virginia Newport News, Virginia Norfolk, Virginia Norton, Virginia Petersburg, Virginia Poquoson, Virginia Portsmouth, Virginia Radford, Virginia Richmond, Virginia Roanoke, Virginia Salem, Virginia Staunton, Virginia Suffolk, Virginia Virginia Beach, Virginia Waynesboro, Virginia Williamsburg, Virginia Winchester, Virginia Arlington County, Virginia Alexandria, Virginia Fairfax County, Virginia Prince William County, Virginia Loudoun County, Virginia Frederick County, Virginia Clarke County, Virginia Stafford County, Virginia Fauquier County, Virginia Shenandoah County, Virginia Warren County, Virginia Rappahannock County, Virginia Culpeper County, Virginia King George County, Virginia Page County, Virginia Rockingham County, Virginia Madison County, Virginia Greene County, Virginia Orange County, Virginia Spotsylvania County, Virginia Westmoreland County, Virginia Northumberland County, Virginia Accomack County, Virginia Northampton County, Virginia York County, Virginia Hampton, Virginia Newport News, Virginia James City County, Virginia Richmond County, Virginia Lancaster County, Virginia Matthews County, Virginia Middlesex County, Virginia Essex County, Virginia Caroline County, Virginia King and Queen County, Virginia King William County, Virginia Gloucester County, Virginia New Kent County, Virginia Hanover County, Virginia Henrico County, Virginia Richmond, Virginia Highland County, Virginia Augusta County, Virginia Albemarle County, Virginia Louisa County, Virginia Charles City County, Virginia Fluvanna County, Virginia Goochland County, Virginia Chesterfield County, Virginia Surry County, Virginia Prince George County, Virginia Bath County, Virginia Alleghany County, Virginia Craig County, Virginia Botetourt County, Virginia Roanoke County, Virginia Montgomery County, Virginia Pulaski County, Virginia Giles County, Virginia Rockbridge County, Virginia Bland County, Virginia Tazewell County, Virginia Buchanan County, Virginia Dickenson County, Virginia Wise County, Virginia Lee County, Virginia Scott County, Virginia Russell County, Virginia Washington County, Virginia Wythe County, Virginia Smyth County, Virginia Grayson County, Virginia Carroll County, Virginia Floyd County, Virginia Patrick County, Virginia Henry County, Virginia Franklin County, Virginia Bedford County, Virginia Pittsylvania County, Virginia Campbell County, Virginia Halifax County, Virginia Charlotte County, Virginia Nelson County, Virginia Mecklenberg County, Virginia Lunenburg County, Virginia Prince Edward County, Virginia Amherst County, Virginia Appomattox County, Virginia Buckingham County, Virginia Cumberland County, Virginia Powhatan County, Virginia Amelia County, Virginia Nottoway County, Virginia Dinwiddie County, Virginia Brunswick County, Virginia Greensville County, Virginia Sussex County, Virginia Southampton County, Virginia Isle of Wight County, Virginia Suffolk, Virginia Portsmouth, Virginia Norfolk, Virginia Virginia Beach, Virginia Chesapeake, VirginiaVirginia counties and independent cities
About this image

List of counties

County
FIPS County Code
[2]
County seat
[3]
Established
[3]
Origin
Etymology
Population
[3]
Area
[3]
Map
Accomack County 001 Accomac 1663 Accomac Shire was established in 1634 as one of the original eight shires of Virginia. From the Native American word Accawmack, meaning "on the other side", referencing the county's position across Chesapeake Bay 33,164 455 sq mi
(1,178 km2)
State map highlighting Accomack County
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 98,970 723 sq mi
(1,873 km2)
State map highlighting Albemarle County
Alleghany County 005 Covington 1822 Formed from parts of Bath and Botetourt counties as well as Monroe County (now in WV) Alleghany Mountains 16,250 446 sq mi
(1,155 km2)
State map highlighting Alleghany County
Amelia County 007 Amelia Court House 1735 Formed from Brunswick and Prince George counties Princess Amelia Sophia, second daughter of George II of Great Britain 11,400 357 sq mi
(925 km2)
State map highlighting Amelia County
Amherst County 009 Amherst 1761 From Albemarle county Jeffery Amherst, British conqueror of Quebec during the Seven Years' War and colonial governor of Virginia 31,894 475 sq mi
(1,230 km2)
State map highlighting Amherst County
Appomattox County 011 Appomattox 1845 From Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte and Prince Edward counties Appomattox River 13,705 334 sq mi
(865 km2)
State map highlighting Appomattox County
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 220,565 26 sq mi
(67 km2)
State map highlighting Arlington County
Augusta County 015 Staunton 1738 Augusta county was formed in 1738 from Orange County, Virginia, although the government was not organized until 1745. Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, the Princess of Wales 73,750 971 sq mi
(2,515 km2)
State map highlighting Augusta County
Bath County 017 Warm Springs 1791 From Augusta, Botetourt and Greenbrier counties May 1, 1791 Bath, England 5,048 532 sq mi
(1,378 km2)
State map highlighting Bath County
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 60,371 755 sq mi
(1,955 km2)
State map highlighting Bedford County
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 6,871 359 sq mi
(930 km2)
State map highlighting Bland County
Botetourt County 023 Fincastle 1770 From Augusta county. Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt, colonial governor of Virginia 30,496 543 sq mi
(1,406 km2)
State map highlighting Botetourt County
Brunswick County 025 Lawrenceville 1720 From Prince George county Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, from which the current line of British monarchs hailed 18,419 566 sq mi
(1,466 km2)
State map highlighting Brunswick County
Buchanan County 027 Grundy 1858 From Russell and Tazewell counties James Buchanan, fifteenth U.S. President 26,978 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
State map highlighting Buchanan County
Buckingham County 029 Buckingham 1761 From Albemarle county Buckinghamshire, England 15,623 581 sq mi
(1,505 km2)
State map highlighting Buckingham County
Campbell County 031 Rustburg 1782 From Bedford county William Campbell, Revolutionary War general 51,078 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
State map highlighting Campbell County
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 28,545 533 sq mi
(1,380 km2)
State map highlighting Caroline County
Carroll County 035 Hillsville 1842 From Grayson county Charles Carroll of Carrollton 30,042 476 sq mi
(1,233 km2)
State map highlighting Carroll County
Charles City County 036 Charles City 1634 Colonial division before 1635[4] King Charles I of England 6,926 182 sq mi
(471 km2)
State map highlighting Charles City County
Charlotte County 037 Charlotte Court House 1765 From Lunenburg county Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III of Great Britain 12,472 475 sq mi
(1,230 km2)
State map highlighting Charlotte County
Chesterfield County 041 Chesterfield 1749 From Henrico County Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, British politician and Lord of the Bedchamber 322,388 426 sq mi
(1,103 km2)
State map highlighting Chesterfield County
Clarke County 043 Berryville 1836 From Frederick County George Rogers Clarke, Revolutionary War general 12,652 177 sq mi
(458 km2)
State map highlighting Clarke County
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 5,091 330 sq mi
(855 km2)
State map highlighting Craig County
Culpeper County 047 Culpeper 1749 Culpeper County was established in 1749 from Orange County, Virginia. Thomas Colepeper, 2nd Baron Colepeper, colonial proprietary governor 46,689 381 sq mi
(987 km2)
State map highlighting Culpeper County
Cumberland County 049 Cumberland 1749 Goochland County Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, British general, politician, and son of King George II 9,017 298 sq mi
(772 km2)
State map highlighting Cumberland County
Dickenson County 051 Clintwood 1880 Formed from parts of Buchanan, Russell, and Wise Counties William J. Dickinson, member of the Virginia House of Delegates 16,395 333 sq mi
(862 km2)
State map highlighting Dickenson County
Dinwiddie County 053 Dinwiddie 1752 From Prince George County Robert Dinwiddie, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 24,533 504 sq mi
(1,305 km2)
State map highlighting Dinwiddie County
Essex County 057 Tappahannock 1692 Essex County was established in 1692 from Rappahannock County, Virginia. Essex, United Kingdom 9,989 258 sq mi
(668 km2)
State map highlighting Essex County
Fairfax County 059 Fairfax 1742 From Prince William County Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, the only resident British noble in Virginia 1,118,602 396 sq mi
(1,026 km2)
State map highlighting Fairfax County
Fauquier County 061 Warrenton 1759 From Prince William County Francis Fauquier, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 68,010 650 sq mi
(1,683 km2)
State map highlighting Fauquier County
Floyd County 063 Floyd 1831 From Montgomery County John Floyd, governor of Virginia 13,874 382 sq mi
(989 km2)
State map highlighting Floyd County
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 20,047 287 sq mi
(743 km2)
State map highlighting Fluvanna County
Franklin County 067 Rocky Mount 1786 Formed from parts of Bedford and Henry Counties Benjamin Franklin, publisher, orator, scholar, and U.S. Founding Father 47,286 692 sq mi
(1,792 km2)
State map highlighting Franklin County
Frederick County 069 Winchester 1738 From Orange County Frederick, Prince of Wales, eldest son of George II 59,209 415 sq mi
(1,075 km2)
State map highlighting Frederick County
Giles County 071 Pearisburg 1806 Formed from Montgomery, Monroe, Wythe, and Tazewell Counties William Branch Giles, U.S. Senator from Virginia 16,657 358 sq mi
(927 km2)
State map highlighting Giles County
Gloucester County 073 Gloucester 1651 From York County Gloucestershire, England 34,780 217 sq mi
(562 km2)
State map highlighting Gloucester County
Goochland County 075 Goochland 1728 From Henrico County William Gooch, colonial lieutenant governor of Virginia 16,863 284 sq mi
(736 km2)
State map highlighting Goochland County
Grayson County 077 Independence 1793 From Wythe County William Grayson, U.S. Senator from Virginia 17,917 443 sq mi
(1,147 km2)
State map highlighting Grayson County
Greene County 079 Stanardsville 1838 From Orange County Nathanael Greene, Revolutionary War general 15,244 157 sq mi
(407 km2)
State map highlighting Greene County
Greensville County 081 Emporia 1781 From Brunswick County Richard Grenville, commander of the English expedition to found Roanoke Colony 11,560 296 sq mi
(767 km2)
State map highlighting Greensville County
Halifax County 083 Halifax 1752 From Lunenburg County George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, President of the Board of Trade 37,355 814 sq mi
(2,108 km2)
State map highlighting Halifax County
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 101,327 473 sq mi
(1,225 km2)
State map highlighting Hanover County
Henrico County 087 Richmond 1617 Original county of the Colony under England Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, oldest son of James I of England 306,935 238 sq mi
(616 km2)
State map highlighting Henrico County
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 57,930 382 sq mi
(989 km2)
State map highlighting Henry County
Highland County 091 Monterey 1847 From Bath and Pendleton Counties[5] Mountainous topography 2,536 416 sq mi
(1,077 km2)
State map highlighting Highland County
Isle of Wight County 093 Isle of Wight 1634 Original county of the Colony under England, initially named Warrosquyoake Shire Isle of Wight, England 29,728 316 sq mi
(818 km2)
State map highlighting Isle of Wight County
James City County 095 Williamsburg 1617 Original county of the Colony under England King James I of England 68,971 143 sq mi
(370 km2)
State map highlighting James City County
King and Queen County 097 King and Queen Court House 1691 King and Queen County was established in 1691 from New Kent County, Virginia. King William III and Queen Mary II 6,630 316 sq mi
(818 km2)
State map highlighting King and Queen County
King George County 099 King George 1721 From Richmond County George I of Great Britain 16,803 180 sq mi
(466 km2)
State map highlighting King George County
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 13,146 275 sq mi
(712 km2)
State map highlighting King William County
Lancaster County 103 Lancaster 1651 Lancaster County was established in 1651 from Northumberland and York counties. Lancaster, United Kingdom 11,567 133 sq mi
(344 km2)
State map highlighting Lancaster County
Lee County 105 Jonesville 1793 From Russell County Light Horse Harry Lee, Revolutionary War general and governor of Virginia 23,589 437 sq mi
(1,132 km2)
State map highlighting Lee County
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 333,253 520 sq mi
(1,347 km2)
State map highlighting Loudoun County
Louisa County 109 Louisa 1742 From Hanover County Princess Louise, youngest daughter of George II 25,627 498 sq mi
(1,290 km2)
State map highlighting Louisa County
Lunenburg County 111 Lunenburg 1746 From Brunswick County Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, from which the current line of British monarchs hailed 13,146 432 sq mi
(1,119 km2)
State map highlighting Lunenburg County
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 12,520 322 sq mi
(834 km2)
State map highlighting Madison County
Mathews County 115 Mathews 1791 From Gloucester County Thomas Mathews, Revolutionary War general. 9,207 86 sq mi
(223 km2)
State map highlighting Mathews County
Mecklenburg County 117 Boydton 1765 From Lunenburg County Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III 32,380 624 sq mi
(1,616 km2)
State map highlighting Mecklenburg County
Middlesex County 119 Saluda 1673 From Lancaster County Middlesex, United Kingdom 9,932 130 sq mi
(337 km2)
State map highlighting Middlesex County
Montgomery County 121 Christiansburg 1777 From Fincastle County Richard Montgomery, Revolutionary War general 83,629 388 sq mi
(1,005 km2)
State map highlighting Montgomery County
Nelson County 125 Lovingston 1808 From Amherst County Thomas Nelson Jr., governor of Virginia and signer of the Declaration of Independence 14,445 472 sq mi
(1,222 km2)
State map highlighting Nelson County
New Kent County 127 New Kent 1654 New Kent County was established in 1654 from York County, Virginia. Kent County, England 13,462 210 sq mi
(544 km2)
State map highlighting New Kent County
Northampton County 131 Eastville 1634 Original county of the Colony under England, initially named Accomac Shire Northamptonshire, England 13,093 207 sq mi
(536 km2)
State map highlighting Northampton County
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 12,259 192 sq mi
(497 km2)
State map highlighting Northumberland County
Nottoway County 135 Nottoway 1789 From the area of Amelia County called Nottaway Parish Nodawa tribe 15,725 315 sq mi
(816 km2)
State map highlighting Nottoway County
Orange County 137 Orange 1734 Settlers established the legal entity of Orange County in 1734 from a portion of Spotsylvania County, Virginia. William III of England 25,881 342 sq mi
(886 km2)
State map highlighting Orange County
Page County 139 Luray 1831 From Shenandoah and Rockingham counties John Page, governor of Virginia 23,177 311 sq mi
(805 km2)
State map highlighting Page County
Patrick County 141 Stuart 1791 From Patrick Henry County Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia and U.S. Founding Father 19,407 483 sq mi
(1,251 km2)
State map highlighting Patrick County
Pittsylvania County 143 Chatham 1767 From Halifax County William Pitt, British Prime Minister 61,745 978 sq mi
(2,533 km2)
State map highlighting Pittsylvania County
Powhatan County 145 Powhatan 1777 From Cumberland County Powhatan tribe 22,377 261 sq mi
(676 km2)
State map highlighting Powhatan County
Prince Edward County 147 Farmville 1754 From Amelia County Prince Edward, Duke of York and Albany, brother of George III 19,720 353 sq mi
(914 km2)
State map highlighting Prince Edward County
Prince George County 149 Prince George 1703 From Charles City County Prince Jørgen of Denmark & Norway, husband of Queen Anne 33,047 266 sq mi
(689 km2)
State map highlighting Prince George County
Prince William County 153 Manassas 1731 From Stafford and King George counties Prince William Augustus, son of George II 421,164 338 sq mi
(875 km2)
State map highlighting Prince William County
Pulaski County 155 Pulaski 1839 From Montgomery and Wythe counties Kazimierz Pulaski, Polish-born Revolutionary War general 35,127 321 sq mi
(831 km2)
State map highlighting Pulaski County
Rappahannock County 157 Washington 1833 First founded in 1656 from part of Lancaster, and became extinct in 1692 when split to form Essex and Richmond. The current county was formed by the General Assembly in 1833, based on the need for a new county seat. County lands were taken from Culpeper. Rappahannock River 6,983 267 sq mi
(692 km2)
State map highlighting Rappahannock County
Richmond County 159 Warsaw 1692 The original Rappahannock County was split to form Richmond and Essex counties. Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond, illegitimate son of King Charles II 8,809 192 sq mi
(497 km2)
State map highlighting Richmond County
Roanoke County 161 Salem 1838 From the southern part of Botetourt County Roanoke River 85,778 251 sq mi
(650 km2)
State map highlighting Roanoke County
Rockbridge County 163 Lexington 1778 From parts of Augusta and Botetourt counties Natural Bridge 20,808 600 sq mi
(1,554 km2)
State map highlighting Rockbridge County
Rockingham County 165 Harrisonburg 1778 From Augusta County Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, British Prime Minister 67,725 851 sq mi
(2,204 km2)
State map highlighting Rockingham County
Russell County 167 Lebanon 1786 From a section of Washington County William Russell, frontiersman and state representative 30,308 475 sq mi
(1,230 km2)
State map highlighting Russell County
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 23,403 537 sq mi
(1,391 km2)
State map highlighting Scott County
Shenandoah County 171 Woodstock 1772 Formed from land purchased from the Iroquois in 1744 Shenandoah River 35,075 512 sq mi
(1,326 km2)
State map highlighting Shenandoah County
Smyth County 173 Marion 1832 From Washington and Wythe counties Alexander Smyth, Congressman from Virginia 33,081 452 sq mi
(1,171 km2)
State map highlighting Smyth County
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 17,482 600 sq mi
(1,554 km2)
State map highlighting Southampton County
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 125,684 401 sq mi
(1,039 km2)
State map highlighting Spotsylvania County
Stafford County 179 Stafford 1664 From part of Westmoreland County Stafford, England 132,791 270 sq mi
(699 km2)
State map highlighting Stafford County
Surry County 181 Surry 1652 From part of James City County Surrey, United Kingdom 6,829 279 sq mi
(723 km2)
State map highlighting Surry County
Sussex County 183 Sussex 1754 From Surry County Sussex, United Kingdom 12,504 491 sq mi
(1,272 km2)
State map highlighting Sussex County
Tazewell County 185 Tazewell 1800 From portions of Wythe and Russell counties Henry Tazewell, U.S. Senator from Virginia 44,598 520 sq mi
(1,347 km2)
State map highlighting Tazewell County
Warren County 187 Front Royal 1836 From Frederick and Shenandoah counties Joseph Warren, Revolutionary War general 31,584 214 sq mi
(554 km2)
State map highlighting Warren County
Washington County 191 Abingdon 1777 From Fincastle County George Washington, Revolutionary War commander, U.S. Founding Father, and future U.S. President 51,103 564 sq mi
(1,461 km2)
State map highlighting Washington County
Westmoreland County 193 Montross 1653 From Northumberland County Westmoreland, United Kingdom 16,718 229 sq mi
(593 km2)
State map highlighting Westmoreland County
Wise County 195 Wise 1856 From Lee, Scott, and Russell Counties Henry Alexander Wise, governor of Virginia 40,123 403 sq mi
(1,044 km2)
State map highlighting Wise County
Wythe County 197 Wytheville 1790 From Montgomery County George Wythe, legal scholar and signer of the Declaration of Independence 27,599 463 sq mi
(1,199 km2)
State map highlighting Wythe County
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 65,464 106 sq mi
(275 km2)
State map highlighting York County

List of independent cities

City
FIPS County Code
[2]
Seat
[3]
Established
[3]
Origin
Etymology
Population
[3]
Area
[3]
Map
City of Alexandria 510 N/A 1902[6] From Alexandria County before 1870[7] Phillip & John Alexander, brothers and area plantation owners 147,391 15 sq mi
(39 km2)
State map highlighting City of Alexandria
City of Bristol 520 N/A 1902[6] From Washington County in 1890[7] Bristol, England 17,367 12 sq mi
(31 km2)
State map highlighting City of Bristol
City of Buena Vista 530 N/A 1902[6] From Rockbridge County in 1892[7] from the Buena Vista Company, which founded an iron mine in the area and established the town for its laborers 6,349 7 sq mi
(18 km2)
State map highlighting City of Buena Vista
City of Charlottesville 540 N/A 1902[6] From Albemarle County in 1888[7] Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III 45,049 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
State map highlighting City of Charlottesville
City of Chesapeake 550 N/A 1963 Formed out of consolidation of Norfolk County (extinct) and City of South Norfolk (extinct)[8] Chesapeake tribe 222,209 341 sq mi
(883 km2)
State map highlighting City of Chesapeake
City of 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 16,897 8 sq mi
(21 km2)
State map highlighting City of Colonial Heights
City of Covington 580 N/A 1952 From Alleghany County Leonard Covington, hero of the Siege of Fort Recovery and Congressman from Maryland 6,303 4 sq mi
(10 km2)
State map highlighting City of Covington
City of Danville 590 N/A 1902[6] From Pittsylvania County before 1870[7] Dan River 48,411 43 sq mi
(111 km2)
State map highlighting City of Danville
City of Emporia 595 N/A 1967 From Greensville County Emporia, Kansas 5,665 7 sq mi
(18 km2)
State map highlighting City of Emporia
City of Fairfax 600 N/A 1961 From Fairfax County Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, only resident British noble in colonial Virginia 21,498 6 sq mi
(16 km2)
State map highlighting City of Fairfax
City of Falls Church 610 N/A 1948 From Fairfax County The Falls Church 12,332 2 sq mi
(5 km2)
State map highlighting City of Falls Church
City of Franklin 620 N/A 1961 From Southampton County Benjamin Franklin, publisher, scholar, orator, and U.S. Founding Father 8,346 8 sq mi
(21 km2)
State map highlighting City of Franklin
City of Fredericksburg 630 N/A 1902[6] From Spotsylvania County before 1870[7] Frederick, Prince of Wales, eldest son of King George II 24,286 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
State map highlighting City of Fredericksburg
City of Galax 640 N/A 1952 From Grayson County and Carroll County the galax shrub 6,837 8 sq mi
(21 km2)
State map highlighting City of Galax
City of Hampton 650 N/A 1908 Founded 1610. Current city formed by consolidation of Elizabeth City County and City of Hampton in 1952[8] Disputed; either Southampton, England or Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, one of the founders of the Virginia Company 146,437 52 sq mi
(135 km2)
State map highlighting City of Hampton
City of Harrisonburg 660 N/A 1916 From Rockingham County in 1916[7] Thomas Harrison, pioneering settler and town founder 40,468 18 sq mi
(47 km2)
State map highlighting City of Harrisonburg
City of Hopewell 670 N/A 1916 From Prince George County in 1916[7] The Hopewell, a ship that carried some of the early English settlers to Virginia 22,354 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
State map highlighting City of Hopewell
City of Lexington 678 N/A 1966 From Rockbridge County Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington 6,867 2 sq mi
(5 km2)
State map highlighting City of Lexington
City of Lynchburg 680 N/A 1902[6] From Campbell County before 1870[7] John Lynch, ferry operator and constructor of the first bridge across the James River in the area 65,269 49 sq mi
(127 km2)
State map highlighting City of Lynchburg
City of Manassas 683 N/A 1975 From Prince William County? Manassas Gap Railroad 40,605 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
State map highlighting City of Manassas
City of Manassas Park 685 N/A 1975 From Prince William County? Manassas Gap Railroad and Manassas National Battlefield Park 14,273 2 sq mi
(5 km2)
State map highlighting City of Manassas Park
City of Martinsville 690 N/A 1928 From Henry County Joseph Martin, Revolutionary War general 15,416 11 sq mi
(28 km2)
State map highlighting City of Martinsville
City of Newport News 700 N/A 1902[6] From Warwick County in 1896[7] Uncertain—see main city article 180,726 68 sq mi
(176 km2)
State map highlighting City of Newport News
City of Norfolk 710 N/A 1845[9] Founded 1682.[10] Incorporated as City in 1845 from Norfolk County (extinct)[8] Norfolk, England 245,782 54 sq mi
(140 km2)
State map highlighting City of Norfolk
City of Norton 720 N/A 1954 From Wise County Eckstein Norton, president of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad 3,904 7 sq mi
(18 km2)
State map highlighting City of Norton
City of Petersburg 730 N/A 1902[6] From Prince George County before 1870[7] Peter Jones, early settler and merchant 33,740 23 sq mi
(60 km2)
State map highlighting City of Petersburg
City of Poquoson 735 N/A 1975 From York County An Algonquin term roughly translating to "great marsh" or "flat land" 11,566 16 sq mi
(41 km2)
State map highlighting City of Poquoson
City of Portsmouth 740 N/A 1858[8] Founded 1752.[11] Incorporated as City in 1858 from Norfolk County (extinct)[8] Portsmouth, England 96,470 33 sq mi
(85 km2)
State map highlighting City of Portsmouth
City of Radford 750 N/A 1902[6] From Montgomery County in 1892[7] Dr. John Blair Radford, owner of a plantation that included that town's lands 15,859 10 sq mi
(26 km2)
State map highlighting City of Radford
City of Richmond 760 N/A 1902[6] From Henrico County before 1870[7] Richmond, Surrey, England 210,309 60 sq mi
(155 km2)
State map highlighting City of Richmond
City of Roanoke 770 N/A 1902[6] From Roanoke County in 1884[7] Roanoke River 94,911 43 sq mi
(111 km2)
State map highlighting City of Roanoke
City of Salem 775 N/A 1968 From Roanoke County After Salem, New Jersey, home of town founder William Bryan 24,747 15 sq mi
(39 km2)
State map highlighting City of Salem
City of Staunton 790 N/A 1902[6] From Augusta County before 1870[7] Lady Rebecca Staunton, wife of colonial Lieutenant Governor William Gooch 23,853 20 sq mi
(52 km2)
State map highlighting City of Staunton
City of Suffolk 800 N/A 1910[12] Founded 1742.[12] Incorporated as City in 1910 from Nansemond County (extinct)[12] Suffolk, England 63,677 400 sq mi
(1,036 km2)
State map highlighting City of Suffolk
City of Virginia Beach 810 N/A 1963 Founded 1906 around existing community of Seatack. Incorporated as City in 1963 from Princess Anne County (extinct)[8] The city's coastal location 447,021 248 sq mi
(642 km2)
State map highlighting City of Virginia Beach
City of Waynesboro 820 N/A 1948 From Augusta County Anthony Wayne, Revolutionary War general 19,520 14 sq mi
(36 km2)
State map highlighting City of Waynesboro
City of Williamsburg 830 N/A 1902[6] From James City County William III of England 14,068 9 sq mi
(23 km2)
State map highlighting City of Williamsburg
City of Winchester 840 N/A 1902[6] From Frederick County in 1874[7] Winchester, England 23,585 9 sq mi
(23 km2)
State map highlighting City of Winchester

Former counties

Virginia Colony

Kentucky Territory

West Virginia

References

  1. 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.
  2. 1 2 "EPA County FIPS Code Listing". EPA.gov. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 National Association of Counties. "NACo - Find a county". Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  4. "Virginia Historical Counties". Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Chicago: Newberry Library. Retrieved 2010-07-10. Select the map for December 31, 1634 (the earliest date available).
  5. "About Us: History". Highland County. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Virginia Historical Counties". Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. Chicago: Newberry Library. Retrieved 2010-07-09. Compare the maps for July 9 and July 10, 1902.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Census Office (1920). "Fourteenth Census of the United States".
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Durman, George W. "Current Virginia Counties & Independent Cities". Germanna Colonies. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  9. City of Norfolk. "19th Century History". City of Norfolk History. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  10. City of Norfolk. "17th Century History". City of Norfolk History. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  11. City of Portsmouth. "City of Portsmouth, Virginia - History". City of Portsmouth. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 City of Suffolk. "All About Suffolk: History". Suffolk: Community. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
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