City of Richmond, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Richmond is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 237,257, up 4.7% since 2020. It covers about 60 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1607 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 237,257 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 226,927 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 4.6% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 9 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Richmond 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 1607.[2] The name comes from Richmond.[2]
Population of Richmond
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Richmond at 237,257 in July 2025, up 4.7% from the April 2020 base of 226,522.[1] That made it 9th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 36th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 15,226 births and 11,276 deaths, a natural increase of 3,950.[1] More people moved away to other parts of the United States than moved in. Net domestic migration was -1,214. Moves from abroad added 7,908.[1]
Geography
The City of Richmond covers 59.9 square miles of land and 2.6 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 99th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 3,959 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 37.53° N, 77.48° W.[3]
The city borders Chesterfield County and Henrico County.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 8 named streams, 1 named summit, 7 lakes and reservoirs and 4 islands in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Richmond in a county?
No. Richmond is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Richmond?
About 237,257 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Richmond?
About 60 square miles of land, plus 2.6 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, Richmond 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
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.