Places of Virginia

The geography and history of the Commonwealth

Halifax County, Virginia

Quick answer: Halifax County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Halifax. Its estimated population in 2025 was 33,447, down 1.7% since 2020. It covers about 818 square miles of land.
Typecounty
County seatHalifax
Established1752
Population, 2025 estimate33,447
Population, 2020 estimate33,939
Change 2020–2025-1.4%
Rank by population in Virginia55 of 133
Eaton Hollow Overlook on Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Photo: G. Edward Johnson · CC BY 4.0 (license), via Wikimedia Commons, resized

Overview

Virginia has 95 counties, and Halifax County is one of them.[1] The county seat is Halifax.[2] The county was established in 1752.[2] The name comes from George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax.[2]

Population of Halifax County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Halifax County at 33,447 in July 2025, down 1.7% from the April 2020 base of 34,035.[1] That made it 55th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 109th for growth since 2020.[1]

From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 1,658 births and 2,954 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 1,296.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 573. Moves from abroad added 135.[1]

Geography

Halifax County covers 817.7 square miles of land and 11.8 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 4th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 41 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 36.77° N, 78.94° W.[3]

The county borders Campbell County, Charlotte County, Mecklenburg County and Pittsylvania County in Virginia, as well as land in North Carolina.[4]

The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 120 named streams, 10 lakes and reservoirs, 3 islands and 1 waterfall, including Hyco Falls (historical) in the county.[5]

Towns

Halifax County has 5 incorporated towns. With their estimated 2025 populations, they are: South Boston (7,795), Halifax (1,092), Scottsburg (123), Virgilina (122), Clarksville (0, part).[6] In Virginia, towns remain part of the county around them, unlike independent cities. "Part" means only the share of the town inside this county.

Frequently asked questions

What is the county seat of Halifax County?
Halifax.

What is the population of Halifax County?
About 33,447 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

How big is Halifax County?
About 818 square miles of land, plus 11.8 square miles of water.

References

Official website: www.halifaxcountyva.gov

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