Overview

The Commonwealth of Virginia is organized into 95 counties and 39 independent cities. Counties serve as primary substate governments providing local services such as courts, public safety, schools, planning and public works. Independent cities in Virginia are legally separate from counties and are treated as county-equivalents for federal statistical purposes.

Structure and typical functions

Each county is governed by an elected board or supervisors and may employ a county administrator or manager to run day-to-day operations. Counties usually contain incorporated towns and unincorporated communities; towns remain part of their county for many services, whereas independent cities do not. County responsibilities commonly include land use regulation, road maintenance, public health, social services and local courts.

Examples and regional groupings

Counties vary widely in character and size. Northern Virginia counties like Fairfax and Loudoun are densely populated suburbs of the national capital, while many rural counties in the south and west are less densely settled. Examples include:

  • Fairfax County — a major suburban county and among the most populous.
  • Arlington County — geographically small but urbanized and densely populated.
  • Wise County and Bath County — examples of rural, mountainous counties.

History and development

Virginia's county system traces its roots to the colonial era, when large shires and counties were established for administration and defense. Over centuries, boundaries have changed as populations shifted, towns incorporated, and some municipalities separated to form independent cities. The pattern of independent cities is a distinctive feature of Virginia's local government structure compared with most other U.S. states.

Uses, data and further reading

Lists of counties are used for administration, statistical reporting, elections and regional planning. For official information about the Commonwealth and county matters see the state resources at Commonwealth of Virginia, and for an enumerated register of jurisdictions consult published lists of Virginia counties and the federal guidance on county-equivalents.