City of Covington, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Covington is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 5,680, down 1.2% since 2020. It covers about 5 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Population, 2025 estimate | 5,680 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 5,747 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -1.2% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 128 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Covington is one of Virginia's 38 independent cities. In Virginia, an independent city is not part of any county; it runs its own local government, courts and schools.[1] Covington is also the county seat of Alleghany County, even though the city is legally separate from that county.[2] The name comes from Leonard Covington.[2]
Population of Covington
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Covington at 5,680 in July 2025, down 1.2% from the April 2020 base of 5,749.[1] That made it 128th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 103rd for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 476 births and 565 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 89.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 7. Moves from abroad added 13.[1]
Geography
The City of Covington covers 5.5 square miles of land and 0.2 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 130th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 1,039 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 37.78° N, 79.99° W.[3]
The city borders Alleghany County.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 4 named streams in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Covington in a county?
No. Covington is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Covington?
About 5,680 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Covington?
About 5 square miles of land, plus 0.2 square miles of water.
References
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Wikidata, Covington city, Virginia (open data, CC0) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files: Counties – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File (2024) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Domestic Names – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.covington.va.us
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.