Places of Virginia

The geography and history of the Commonwealth

Rockingham County, Virginia

Quick answer: Rockingham County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Harrisonburg. Its estimated population in 2025 was 89,316, up 6.6% since 2020. It covers about 850 square miles of land.
Typecounty
County seatHarrisonburg
Established1778
Population, 2025 estimate89,316
Population, 2020 estimate83,780
Change 2020–20256.6%
Rank by population in Virginia24 of 133
Farmers in Rockingham County, Virginia
Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture, photo by Bob Nichols · CC BY 2.0 (license), via Wikimedia Commons, resized

Overview

Rockingham County is one of the 95 counties of Virginia.[1] The county seat is Harrisonburg.[2] The county was established in 1778.[2] The name comes from Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham.[2]

Population of Rockingham County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Rockingham County at 89,316 in July 2025, up 6.6% from the April 2020 base of 83,769.[1] That made it 24th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 25th for growth since 2020.[1]

From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 4,707 births and 5,048 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 341.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 4,122. Moves from abroad added 1,729.[1]

Geography

Rockingham County covers 849.8 square miles of land and 4.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 3rd of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 105 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 38.51° N, 78.89° W.[3]

The county borders Albemarle County, Augusta County, Greene County, the City of Harrisonburg, Page County and Shenandoah County in Virginia, as well as land in West Virginia.[4]

The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 142 named streams, 102 named summits, 11 lakes and reservoirs, 14 gaps and 7 springs, including Cedar Falls, Dry Run Falls in the county.[5]

Towns

Rockingham County has 7 incorporated towns. With their estimated 2025 populations, they are: Bridgewater (6,924), Broadway (4,463), Timberville (3,166), Elkton (3,136), Grottoes (3,099, part), Dayton (1,791), Mount Crawford (476).[6] In Virginia, towns remain part of the county around them, unlike independent cities. "Part" means only the share of the town inside this county.

Frequently asked questions

What is the county seat of Rockingham County?
Harrisonburg.

What is the population of Rockingham County?
About 89,316 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

How big is Rockingham County?
About 850 square miles of land, plus 4.1 square miles of water.

References

Official website: www.rockinghamcountyva.gov

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