City of Martinsville, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Martinsville is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 13,849, up 2.7% since 2020. It covers about 11 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Population, 2025 estimate | 13,849 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 13,478 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 2.8% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 103 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Martinsville 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] Martinsville is also the county seat of Henry County, even though the city is legally separate from that county.[2] The name comes from Joseph Martin.[2]
Population of Martinsville
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Martinsville at 13,849 in July 2025, up 2.7% from the April 2020 base of 13,482.[1] That made it 103rd of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 53rd for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 1,292 births and 1,539 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 247.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 383. Moves from abroad added 226.[1]
Geography
The City of Martinsville covers 11.0 square miles of land and 0.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 115th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 1,264 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 36.68° N, 79.86° W.[3]
The city borders Henry County.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 2 named streams and 1 lake or reservoir in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Martinsville in a county?
No. Martinsville is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Martinsville?
About 13,849 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Martinsville?
About 11 square miles of land, plus 0.1 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, Martinsville 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
- [5] U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Domestic Names – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.martinsville-va.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.