Places of Virginia

The geography and history of the Commonwealth

Augusta County, Virginia

Quick answer: Augusta County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Staunton. Its estimated population in 2025 was 78,940, up 1.9% since 2020. It covers about 967 square miles of land.
Typecounty
County seatStaunton
Established1738
Population, 2025 estimate78,940
Population, 2020 estimate77,586
Change 2020–20251.7%
Rank by population in Virginia28 of 133
Augusta County, Virginia countryside
Photo: Hamiltonl at English Wikipedia · CC BY 2.5 (license), via Wikimedia Commons, resized

Overview

Augusta County is one of the 95 counties of Virginia.[1] The county seat is Staunton.[2] The county was established in 1738.[2] The name comes from Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha.[2]

Population of Augusta County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Augusta County at 78,940 in July 2025, up 1.9% from the April 2020 base of 77,490.[1] That made it 28th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 66th for growth since 2020.[1]

From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 2,587 births and 4,741 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 2,154.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 3,103. Moves from abroad added 482.[1]

Geography

Augusta County covers 967.1 square miles of land and 3.7 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 2nd of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 82 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 38.17° N, 79.14° W.[3]

The county borders Albemarle County, Bath County, Highland County, Nelson County, Rockbridge County, Rockingham County, the City of Staunton and the City of Waynesboro in Virginia, as well as land in West Virginia.[4]

The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 137 named streams, 80 named summits, 29 lakes and reservoirs, 10 gaps and 14 springs in the county.[5]

Towns

Augusta County has 2 incorporated towns. With their estimated 2025 populations, they are: Craigsville (923), Grottoes (0, part).[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 Augusta County?
Staunton.

What is the population of Augusta County?
About 78,940 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

How big is Augusta County?
About 967 square miles of land, plus 3.7 square miles of water.

References

Official website: www.co.augusta.va.us

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