Henry County, Virginia
Quick answer: Henry County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Martinsville. Its estimated population in 2025 was 49,242, down 3.3% since 2020. It covers about 382 square miles of land.
| Type | county |
|---|---|
| County seat | Martinsville |
| Established | 1777 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 49,242 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 50,845 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -3.2% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 37 of 133 |
Overview
Virginia has 95 counties, and Henry County is one of them.[1] The county seat is Martinsville.[2] The county was established in 1777.[2] The name comes from Patrick Henry.[2]
Population of Henry County
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Henry County at 49,242 in July 2025, down 3.3% from the April 2020 base of 50,939.[1] That made it 37th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 123rd for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 1,935 births and 4,620 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 2,685.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 913. Moves from abroad added 51.[1]
Geography
Henry County covers 382.4 square miles of land and 2.0 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 49th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 129 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 36.62° N, 79.98° W.[3]
The county borders Franklin County, the City of Martinsville, Patrick County and Pittsylvania County in Virginia, as well as land in North Carolina.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 72 named streams, 11 named summits and 12 lakes and reservoirs in the county.[5]
Towns
Henry County has one incorporated town: Ridgeway (732), with its estimated 2025 population in brackets.[6] In Virginia, towns remain part of the county around them, unlike independent cities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the county seat of Henry County?
Martinsville.
What is the population of Henry County?
About 49,242 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is Henry County?
About 382 square miles of land, plus 2.0 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, Henry 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.co.henry.va.us
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.