City of Radford, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Radford is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 17,243, up 7.3% since 2020. It covers about 10 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1887 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 17,243 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 16,117 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 7.0% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 87 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Radford 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 1887.[2]
Population of Radford
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Radford at 17,243 in July 2025, up 7.3% from the April 2020 base of 16,066.[1] That made it 87th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 18th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 781 births and 727 deaths, a natural increase of 54.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 1,020. Moves from abroad added 91.[1]
Geography
The City of Radford covers 9.7 square miles of land and 0.3 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 120th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 1,782 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 37.12° N, 80.56° W.[3]
The city borders Montgomery County and Pulaski County.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 1 named stream and 1 named summit in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Radford in a county?
No. Radford is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Radford?
About 17,243 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Radford?
About 10 square miles of land, plus 0.3 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, Radford 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.radford.va.us
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.