City of Danville, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Danville is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 41,647, down 2.2% since 2020. It covers about 43 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1792 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 41,647 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 42,572 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -2.2% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 44 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Danville 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] Its founding date is recorded as 1792.[2] The name comes from Dan River.[2]
Population of Danville
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Danville at 41,647 in July 2025, down 2.2% from the April 2020 base of 42,581.[1] That made it 44th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 116th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 2,779 births and 4,330 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 1,551.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 373. Moves from abroad added 222.[1]
Geography
The City of Danville covers 42.8 square miles of land and 0.9 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 103rd of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 973 people per square mile in 2025, so it is a mix of towns and countryside. Its geographic center lies near 36.58° N, 79.41° W.[3]
The city borders Pittsylvania County in Virginia, as well as land in North Carolina.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 3 named streams, 3 lakes and reservoirs and 1 island in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Danville in a county?
No. Danville is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Danville?
About 41,647 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Danville?
About 43 square miles of land, plus 0.9 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, Danville 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.danville-va.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.