Places of Virginia

The geography and history of the Commonwealth

Shenandoah County, Virginia

Quick answer: Shenandoah County is a county in Virginia with its seat at Woodstock. Its estimated population in 2025 was 45,839, up 3.8% since 2020. It covers about 508 square miles of land.
Typecounty
County seatWoodstock
Established1772
Population, 2025 estimate45,839
Population, 2020 estimate44,258
Change 2020–20253.6%
Rank by population in Virginia38 of 133
Eaton Hollow Overlook on Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Photo: G. Edward Johnson · CC BY 4.0 (license), via Wikimedia Commons, resized

Overview

Shenandoah County is one of the 95 counties of Virginia.[1] The county seat is Woodstock.[2] The county was established in 1772.[2] The name comes from Shenandoah River.[2]

Population of Shenandoah County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of Shenandoah County at 45,839 in July 2025, up 3.8% from the April 2020 base of 44,182.[1] That made it 38th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 42nd for growth since 2020.[1]

From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 2,501 births and 3,178 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 677.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 1,927. Moves from abroad added 447.[1]

Geography

Shenandoah County covers 508.1 square miles of land and 3.8 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 21st of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 90 people per square mile in 2025, so it is mostly rural. Its geographic center lies near 38.86° N, 78.57° W.[3]

The county borders Frederick County, Page County, Rockingham County and Warren County in Virginia, as well as land in West Virginia.[4]

The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 69 named streams, 62 named summits, 11 lakes and reservoirs, 23 gaps and 8 springs in the county.[5]

Towns

Shenandoah County has 6 incorporated towns. With their estimated 2025 populations, they are: Strasburg (7,380), Woodstock (6,002), New Market (2,222), Mount Jackson (2,040), Edinburg (1,225), Toms Brook (285).[6] In Virginia, towns remain part of the county around them, unlike independent cities.

Frequently asked questions

What is the county seat of Shenandoah County?
Woodstock.

What is the population of Shenandoah County?
About 45,839 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

How big is Shenandoah County?
About 508 square miles of land, plus 3.8 square miles of water.

References

Official website: www.shenandoahcountyva.us

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