Places of Virginia

The geography and history of the Commonwealth

Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Quick answer: Pittsylvania County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Chatham. Its estimated population in 2025 was 59,490, down 1.7% since 2020. It covers about 969 square miles of land.
Typecounty
County seatChatham
Established1767
Population, 2025 estimate59,490
Population, 2020 estimate60,369
Change 2020–2025-1.5%
Rank by population in Virginia31 of 133
Pinehall Formation (Upper Triassic; Oak Ridge Farms Road outcrop, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, USA) 16
Photo: James St. John · CC BY 2.0 (license), via Wikimedia Commons, resized

Overview

Virginia has 95 counties, and Pittsylvania County is one of them.[1] The county seat is Chatham.[2] The county was established in 1767.[2] The name comes from William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.[2]

Population of Pittsylvania County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Pittsylvania County at 59,490 in July 2025, down 1.7% from the April 2020 base of 60,499.[1] That made it 31st of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 108th for growth since 2020.[1]

From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 2,375 births and 4,483 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 2,108.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 995. Moves from abroad added 109.[1]

Geography

Pittsylvania County covers 969.0 square miles of land and 9.2 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 1st of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 61 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 36.82° N, 79.40° W.[3]

The county borders Bedford County, Campbell County, the City of Danville, Franklin County, Halifax County and Henry County in Virginia, as well as land in North Carolina.[4]

The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 134 named streams, 16 named summits, 21 lakes and reservoirs, 1 gap and 1 island in the county.[5]

Towns

Pittsylvania County has 3 incorporated towns. With their estimated 2025 populations, they are: Gretna (1,280), Hurt (1,234), Chatham (1,191).[6] In Virginia, towns remain part of the county around them, unlike independent cities.

Frequently asked questions

What is the county seat of Pittsylvania County?
Chatham.

What is the population of Pittsylvania County?
About 59,490 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

How big is Pittsylvania County?
About 969 square miles of land, plus 9.2 square miles of water.

References

Official website: www.pittsylvaniacountyva.gov

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