Lee County, Virginia
Quick answer: Lee County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Jonesville. Its estimated population in 2025 was 21,642, down 2.4% since 2020. It covers about 435 square miles of land.
| Type | county |
|---|---|
| County seat | Jonesville |
| Established | 1792 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 21,642 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 22,110 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -2.1% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 79 of 133 |
Overview
Lee County is one of the 95 counties of Virginia.[1] The county seat is Jonesville.[2] The county was established in 1792.[2] The name comes from Henry Lee III.[2]
Population of Lee County
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Lee County at 21,642 in July 2025, down 2.4% from the April 2020 base of 22,173.[1] That made it 79th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 118th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 998 births and 2,069 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 1,071.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 506. Moves from abroad added 34.[1]
Geography
Lee County covers 435.4 square miles of land and 1.9 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 39th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 50 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 36.70° N, 83.13° W.[3]
The county borders Scott County and Wise County in Virginia, as well as land in Kentucky and land in Tennessee.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 100 named streams, 12 named summits, 4 lakes and reservoirs, 18 gaps and 6 springs in the county.[5]
Towns
Lee County has 2 incorporated towns. With their estimated 2025 populations, they are: Pennington Gap (1,568), Jonesville (843).[6] In Virginia, towns remain part of the county around them, unlike independent cities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the county seat of Lee County?
Jonesville.
What is the population of Lee County?
About 21,642 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is Lee County?
About 435 square miles of land, plus 1.9 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, Lee 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.LeeCoVA.org
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.