Giles County, Virginia
Quick answer: Giles County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Pearisburg. Its estimated population in 2025 was 16,564, down 1.4% since 2020. It covers about 357 square miles of land.
| Type | county |
|---|---|
| County seat | Pearisburg |
| Established | 1806 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 16,564 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 16,786 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -1.3% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 90 of 133 |
Overview
Virginia has 95 counties, and Giles County is one of them.[1] The county seat is Pearisburg.[2] The county was established in 1806.[2] The name comes from William Branch Giles.[2]
Population of Giles County
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Giles County at 16,564 in July 2025, down 1.4% from the April 2020 base of 16,792.[1] That made it 90th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 106th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 840 births and 1,391 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 551.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 341. Moves from abroad were -9.[1]
Geography
Giles County covers 357.2 square miles of land and 4.3 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 53rd of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 46 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 37.32° N, 80.70° W.[3]
The county borders Bland County, Craig County, Montgomery County and Pulaski County in Virginia, as well as land in West Virginia.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 57 named streams, 36 named summits, 5 lakes and reservoirs, 8 gaps and 4 waterfalls, including Cascades, Falls of Dismal, Upper Falls, Wylie Falls in the county.[5]
Towns
Giles County has 5 incorporated towns. With their estimated 2025 populations, they are: Pearisburg (2,873), Narrows (2,036), Pembroke (1,139), Rich Creek (738), Glen Lyn (92).[6] In Virginia, towns remain part of the county around them, unlike independent cities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the county seat of Giles County?
Pearisburg.
What is the population of Giles County?
About 16,564 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is Giles County?
About 357 square miles of land, plus 4.3 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, Giles County, 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
- [6] U.S. Census Bureau, City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2025 – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.gilescounty.org
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.