The Virginia Middle Peninsula and the Northern Neck are two regions of eastern Virginia. Each has its own planning commission.
Quick answer: The Virginia Middle Peninsula consists of six counties: Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex, with about 96,500 residents in 2025. The Northern Neck, the peninsula between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers, includes Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland counties.
Contents
The Middle Peninsula
Six counties make up the Middle Peninsula. Its planning commission serves them and three towns: Tappahannock, Urbanna and West Point.[1]
| County | Population, 2020 | Population, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucester | 38,723 | 40,097 |
| King William | 17,916 | 19,617 |
| Middlesex | 10,609 | 10,841 |
| Essex | 10,597 | 10,654 |
| Mathews | 8,520 | 8,529 |
| King and Queen | 6,585 | 6,743 |
| Total | 92,950 | 96,481 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.[2]
The Northern Neck
The Northern Neck is a peninsula. Two rivers bound it: the Potomac and the Rappahannock. In 2023 Congress made it a national heritage area. The heritage area covers five counties.[3]
The region’s planning commission dates from 1969. It joins four of those counties; King George is not a member.[4]
| County | Population, 2020 | Population, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| King George | 26,822 | 29,646 |
| Westmoreland | 18,513 | 19,715 |
| Northumberland | 11,838 | 12,557 |
| Lancaster | 10,899 | 10,995 |
| Richmond | 8,919 | 9,294 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.[2]
Towns of the Two Regions
| Town | Region | Population, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| West Point | Middle Peninsula | 3,595 |
| Tappahannock | Middle Peninsula | 2,193 |
| Urbanna | Middle Peninsula | 508 |
| Kilmarnock | Northern Neck | 1,457 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau city and town estimates.[5] Kilmarnock lies in two counties. Its total adds both parts.
Frequently asked questions
What counties are in the Virginia Middle Peninsula? Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex.
What counties are in the Northern Neck? The planning district includes Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland; the national heritage area adds King George.
What rivers border the Northern Neck? The Potomac and the Rappahannock.
What is the largest county on the Middle Peninsula? Gloucester County, with about 40,097 residents in 2025.
References
- [1] Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] National Park Service, Northern Neck National Heritage Area – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] Northern Neck Planning District Commission, About – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Census Bureau, City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2025 – last checked 11/08/2026
Each county appears on the map of Virginia counties.