Places of Virginia

The geography and history of the Commonwealth

Buchanan County, Virginia

Quick answer: Buchanan County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Grundy. Its estimated population in 2025 was 18,492, down 9.1% since 2020. It covers about 503 square miles of land.
Typecounty
County seatGrundy
Established1858
Population, 2025 estimate18,492
Population, 2020 estimate20,247
Change 2020–2025-8.7%
Rank by population in Virginia84 of 133
Forested gorge at Breaks Interstate Park on the Virginia–Kentucky line
Photo: vastateparksstaff · CC BY 2.0 (license), via Wikimedia Commons, resized

Overview

Buchanan County is one of the 95 counties of Virginia.[1] The county seat is Grundy.[2] The county was established in 1858.[2] The name comes from James Buchanan.[2]

Population of Buchanan County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Buchanan County at 18,492 in July 2025, down 9.1% from the April 2020 base of 20,343.[1] That made it 84th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 133rd for growth since 2020.[1]

From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 902 births and 1,969 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 1,067.[1] More people moved away to other parts of the United States than moved in. Net domestic migration was -840. Moves from abroad added 48.[1]

Geography

Buchanan County covers 502.9 square miles of land and 1.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 24th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 37 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 37.27° N, 82.04° W.[3]

The county borders Dickenson County, Russell County and Tazewell County in Virginia, as well as land in Kentucky and land in West Virginia.[4]

The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 405 named streams, 10 named summits, 1 lake or reservoir and 25 gaps in the county.[5]

Towns

Buchanan County has one incorporated town: Grundy (815), with its estimated 2025 population in brackets.[6] In Virginia, towns remain part of the county around them, unlike independent cities.

Frequently asked questions

What is the county seat of Buchanan County?
Grundy.

What is the population of Buchanan County?
About 18,492 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

How big is Buchanan County?
About 503 square miles of land, plus 1.1 square miles of water.

References

Official website: www.buchanancountyonline.com

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