City of Fredericksburg, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Fredericksburg is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 30,393, up 8.6% since 2020. It covers about 10 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1691 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 30,393 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 27,997 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 8.6% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 59 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Fredericksburg 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 1691.[2] The name comes from Frederick, Prince of Wales.[2]
Population of Fredericksburg
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Fredericksburg at 30,393 in July 2025, up 8.6% from the April 2020 base of 27,977.[1] That made it 59th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 15th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 1,913 births and 1,225 deaths, a natural increase of 688.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 255. Moves from abroad added 1,476.[1]
Geography
The City of Fredericksburg covers 10.4 square miles of land and 0.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 116th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 2,908 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 38.30° N, 77.49° W.[3]
The city borders Spotsylvania County and Stafford County.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 3 named summits, 1 lake or reservoir and 1 spring in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Fredericksburg in a county?
No. Fredericksburg is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Fredericksburg?
About 30,393 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Fredericksburg?
About 10 square miles of land, plus 0.1 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, Fredericksburg 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.fredericksburgva.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.