City of Lexington, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Lexington is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 7,769, up 6.3% since 2020. It covers about 2 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1777 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 7,769 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 7,318 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 6.2% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 120 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Lexington 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] Lexington is also the county seat of Rockbridge County, even though the city is legally separate from that county.[2] Its founding date is recorded as 1777.[2] The name comes from Battles of Lexington and Concord.[2]
Population of Lexington
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Lexington at 7,769 in July 2025, up 6.3% from the April 2020 base of 7,309.[1] That made it 120th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 29th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 548 births and 361 deaths, a natural increase of 187.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 176. Moves from abroad added 103.[1]
Geography
The City of Lexington covers 2.5 square miles of land and 0.0 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 132nd of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 3,109 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 37.78° N, 79.44° W.[3]
The city borders Rockbridge County.[4]
Frequently asked questions
Is Lexington in a county?
No. Lexington is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Lexington?
About 7,769 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Lexington?
About 2 square miles of land, plus 0.0 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, Lexington 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
Official website: www.lexingtonva.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.