Places of Virginia

The geography and history of the Commonwealth

Scott County, Virginia

Quick answer: Scott County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Gate City. Its estimated population in 2025 was 21,200, down 1.7% since 2020. It covers about 536 square miles of land.
Typecounty
County seatGate City
Established1814
Population, 2025 estimate21,200
Population, 2020 estimate21,595
Change 2020–2025-1.8%
Rank by population in Virginia80 of 133
Forested gorge at Breaks Interstate Park on the Virginia–Kentucky line
Photo: vastateparksstaff · CC BY 2.0 (license), via Wikimedia Commons, resized

Overview

Scott County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia, one of 95 in the state.[1] The county seat is Gate City.[2] The county was established in 1814.[2] The name comes from Winfield Scott.[2]

Population of Scott County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Scott County at 21,200 in July 2025, down 1.7% from the April 2020 base of 21,574.[1] That made it 80th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 110th for growth since 2020.[1]

From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 917 births and 2,066 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 1,149.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 764. Moves from abroad added 5.[1]

Geography

Scott County covers 535.8 square miles of land and 3.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 16th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 40 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 36.71° N, 82.61° W.[3]

The county borders Lee County, Russell County, Washington County and Wise County in Virginia, as well as land in Tennessee.[4]

The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 161 named streams, 17 named summits, 3 lakes and reservoirs, 27 gaps and 3 islands, including Monkey Falls in the county.[5]

Towns

Scott County has 6 incorporated towns. With their estimated 2025 populations, they are: Gate City (2,000), Weber City (1,221), Nickelsville (369), Dungannon (254), Duffield (68), Clinchport (62).[6] In Virginia, towns remain part of the county around them, unlike independent cities.

Frequently asked questions

What is the county seat of Scott County?
Gate City.

What is the population of Scott County?
About 21,200 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

How big is Scott County?
About 536 square miles of land, plus 3.1 square miles of water.

References

Official website: www.scottcountyva.com

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