City of Norton, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Norton is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 3,477, down 5.9% since 2020. It covers about 7 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1894 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 3,477 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 3,680 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -5.5% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 132 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Norton 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] Its founding date is recorded as 1894.[2]
Population of Norton
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Norton at 3,477 in July 2025, down 5.9% from the April 2020 base of 3,696.[1] That made it 132nd of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 131st for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 203 births and 384 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 181.[1] More people moved away to other parts of the United States than moved in. Net domestic migration was -39. Moves from abroad added 0.[1]
Geography
The City of Norton covers 7.5 square miles of land and 0.0 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 126th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 465 people per square mile in 2025, so it is a mix of towns and countryside. Its geographic center lies near 36.93° N, 82.63° W.[3]
The city borders Wise County.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 2 named streams, 3 lakes and reservoirs and 1 gap in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Norton in a county?
No. Norton is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Norton?
About 3,477 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Norton?
About 7 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, Norton 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.nortonva.org
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.