Mathews County, Virginia

Quick answer: Mathews County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Mathews. Its estimated population in 2025 was 8,529, down 0.1% since 2020. It covers about 86 square miles of land.

Overview

Mathews County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia, one of 95 in the state.[1] The county seat is Mathews.[2] The county was established in 1791.[2] The name comes from Thomas Mathews.[2]

Population of Mathews County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Mathews County at 8,529 in July 2025, down 0.1% from the April 2020 base of 8,535.[1] That made it 118th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 91st for growth since 2020.[1]

From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 349 births and 789 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 440.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 441. Moves from abroad added 0.[1]

Geography

Mathews County covers 85.9 square miles of land and 166.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 97th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 99 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 37.43° N, 76.27° W.[3]

The county borders Accomack County, Gloucester County, Middlesex County, Northampton County and York County.[4]

The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 45 named streams, 1 lake or reservoir and 2 islands in the county.[5]

Towns

Mathews County has no incorporated towns. Its communities are unincorporated and governed directly by the county.[6]

Frequently asked questions

What is the county seat of Mathews County?
Mathews.

What is the population of Mathews County?
About 8,529 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

How big is Mathews County?
About 86 square miles of land, plus 166.1 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, Mathews 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.mathewscountyva.gov

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