City of Winchester, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Winchester is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 28,272, up 0.6% since 2020. It covers about 9 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1752 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 28,272 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 28,003 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 1.0% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 66 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Winchester 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] Winchester is also the county seat of Frederick County, even though the city is legally separate from that county.[2] Its founding date is recorded as 1752.[2] The name comes from Winchester.[2]
Population of Winchester
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Winchester at 28,272 in July 2025, up 0.6% from the April 2020 base of 28,114.[1] That made it 66th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 83rd for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 1,905 births and 1,612 deaths, a natural increase of 293.[1] More people moved away to other parts of the United States than moved in. Net domestic migration was -825. Moves from abroad added 670.[1]
Geography
The City of Winchester covers 9.2 square miles of land and 0.0 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 121st of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 3,075 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 39.17° N, 78.18° W.[3]
The city borders Frederick County.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 1 named stream, 1 named summit and 3 springs in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Winchester in a county?
No. Winchester is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Winchester?
About 28,272 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Winchester?
About 9 square miles of land, plus 0.0 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, Winchester 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.winchesterva.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.