Places of Virginia

The geography and history of the Commonwealth

Albemarle County, Virginia

Quick answer: Albemarle County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Charlottesville. Its estimated population in 2025 was 118,356, up 5.3% since 2020. It covers about 720 square miles of land.
Typecounty
County seatCharlottesville
Established1744
Population, 2025 estimate118,356
Population, 2020 estimate112,578
Change 2020–20255.1%
Rank by population in Virginia16 of 133
The Rotunda and Lawn University of Virginia Charlottesville VA March
Photo: Phil Roeder · CC BY 2.0 (license), via Wikimedia Commons, resized

Overview

Albemarle County is one of the 95 counties of Virginia.[1] The county seat is Charlottesville.[2] The county was established in 1744.[2] The name comes from Willem van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle.[2]

Population of Albemarle County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Albemarle County at 118,356 in July 2025, up 5.3% from the April 2020 base of 112,435.[1] That made it 16th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 33rd for growth since 2020.[1]

From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 5,298 births and 5,374 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 76.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 3,235. Moves from abroad added 2,798.[1]

Geography

Albemarle County covers 720.5 square miles of land and 5.5 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 6th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 164 people per square mile in 2025, so it is a mix of towns and countryside. Its geographic center lies near 38.02° N, 78.55° W.[3]

The county borders Augusta County, Buckingham County, the City of Charlottesville, Fluvanna County, Greene County, Louisa County, Nelson County, Orange County and Rockingham County.[4]

The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 132 named streams, 86 named summits, 57 lakes and reservoirs, 11 gaps and 1 island, including Jones Run Falls in the county.[5]

Towns

Albemarle County has one incorporated town: Scottsville (509, part), with its estimated 2025 population in brackets.[6] In Virginia, towns remain part of the county around them, unlike independent cities. "Part" means only the share of the town inside this county.

Frequently asked questions

What is the county seat of Albemarle County?
Charlottesville.

What is the population of Albemarle County?
About 118,356 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

How big is Albemarle County?
About 720 square miles of land, plus 5.5 square miles of water.

References

Official website: www.albemarle.org

Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.