Most rural counties in Virginia
Stacker compiled a list of the most rural counties in Virginia using data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Most rural counties in Virginia
A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. Stacker compiled a list of the most rural counties in Virginia using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.
According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.
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#50. Page County
- Rural area: 98.8% (307 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 311 square miles
--- #67 largest county in state, #2,783 nationwide
- Population density: 76.8 people / square mile (23,862 residents)
--- #51 lowest density county in state, #2,058 nationwide
#49. Clarke County
- Rural area: 98.9% (174 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 176 square miles
--- #91 largest county in state, #3,033 nationwide
- Population density: 82.3 people / square mile (14,498 residents)
--- #58 lowest density county in state, #2,114 nationwide
#48. Franklin County
- Rural area: 98.9% (683 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 690 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #1,357 nationwide
- Population density: 81.4 people / square mile (56,231 residents)
--- #56 lowest density county in state, #2,108 nationwide
#47. Essex County
- Rural area: 98.9% (254 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 257 square miles
--- #78 largest county in state, #2,892 nationwide
- Population density: 42.6 people / square mile (10,960 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #1,530 nationwide
#46. Mecklenburg County
- Rural area: 99.0% (619 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 625 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #1,541 nationwide
- Population density: 49.1 people / square mile (30,726 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #1,678 nationwide
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#45. Caroline County
- Rural area: 99.1% (523 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 528 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #1,984 nationwide
- Population density: 58.0 people / square mile (30,581 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,817 nationwide
#44. Scott County
- Rural area: 99.1% (531 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 536 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #1,950 nationwide
- Population density: 40.6 people / square mile (21,761 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #1,486 nationwide
#43. Halifax County
- Rural area: 99.2% (811 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 818 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #1,033 nationwide
- Population density: 41.9 people / square mile (34,295 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #1,517 nationwide
#42. Westmoreland County
- Rural area: 99.2% (228 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 229 square miles
--- #82 largest county in state, #2,954 nationwide
- Population density: 77.9 people / square mile (17,873 residents)
--- #52 lowest density county in state, #2,071 nationwide
#41. King William County
- Rural area: 99.3% (272 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 274 square miles
--- #73 largest county in state, #2,857 nationwide
- Population density: 62.0 people / square mile (16,985 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #1,867 nationwide
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#40. Russell County
- Rural area: 99.4% (471 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 474 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #2,176 nationwide
- Population density: 56.9 people / square mile (26,937 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #1,801 nationwide
#39. Rockbridge County
- Rural area: 99.4% (594 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 598 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #1,637 nationwide
- Population density: 38.0 people / square mile (22,728 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #1,425 nationwide
#38. Greensville County
- Rural area: 99.5% (294 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 295 square miles
--- #69 largest county in state, #2,817 nationwide
- Population density: 38.6 people / square mile (11,403 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #1,441 nationwide
#37. Brunswick County
- Rural area: 99.5% (563 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 566 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #1,810 nationwide
- Population density: 28.9 people / square mile (16,336 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #1,181 nationwide
#36. Goochland County
- Rural area: 99.7% (281 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 281 square miles
--- #71 largest county in state, #2,843 nationwide
- Population density: 83.4 people / square mile (23,472 residents)
--- #59 lowest density county in state, #2,126 nationwide
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#35. Carroll County
- Rural area: 99.8% (474 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 475 square miles
--- #29 largest county in state, #2,170 nationwide
- Population density: 63.0 people / square mile (29,911 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #1,887 nationwide
#34. Southampton County
- Rural area: 99.9% (599 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 599 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #1,629 nationwide
- Population density: 29.8 people / square mile (17,829 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #1,205 nationwide
#33. Cumberland County
- Rural area: 99.9% (297 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 297 square miles
--- #68 largest county in state, #2,811 nationwide
- Population density: 33.2 people / square mile (9,869 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #1,300 nationwide
#32. Powhatan County
- Rural area: 100.0% (260 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 260 square miles
--- #77 largest county in state, #2,885 nationwide
- Population density: 112.4 people / square mile (29,253 residents)
--- #72 lowest density county in state, #2,338 nationwide
#31. Lee County
- Rural area: 100.0% (435 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 436 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #2,326 nationwide
- Population density: 54.5 people / square mile (23,723 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #1,769 nationwide
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#30. Grayson County
- Rural area: 100.0% (442 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 442 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #2,299 nationwide
- Population density: 35.4 people / square mile (15,651 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #1,348 nationwide
#29. New Kent County
- Rural area: 100.0% (210 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 210 square miles
--- #86 largest county in state, #2,983 nationwide
- Population density: 106.4 people / square mile (22,310 residents)
--- #67 lowest density county in state, #2,299 nationwide
#28. Mathews County
- Rural area: 100.0% (86 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 86 square miles
--- #97 largest county in state, #3,091 nationwide
- Population density: 101.9 people / square mile (8,760 residents)
--- #65 lowest density county in state, #2,266 nationwide
#27. Middlesex County
- Rural area: 100.0% (130 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 130 square miles
--- #95 largest county in state, #3,070 nationwide
- Population density: 81.7 people / square mile (10,642 residents)
--- #57 lowest density county in state, #2,110 nationwide
#26. Lancaster County
- Rural area: 100.0% (133 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 133 square miles
--- #94 largest county in state, #3,069 nationwide
- Population density: 80.2 people / square mile (10,686 residents)
--- #55 lowest density county in state, #2,096 nationwide
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#25. Louisa County
- Rural area: 100.0% (496 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 496 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #2,098 nationwide
- Population density: 73.9 people / square mile (36,654 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #2,024 nationwide
#24. Accomack County
- Rural area: 100.0% (449 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 449 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #2,273 nationwide
- Population density: 72.4 people / square mile (32,560 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #2,005 nationwide
#23. Northumberland County
- Rural area: 100.0% (191 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 191 square miles
--- #88 largest county in state, #3,011 nationwide
- Population density: 63.5 people / square mile (12,151 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #1,894 nationwide
#22. Northampton County
- Rural area: 100.0% (212 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 212 square miles
--- #85 largest county in state, #2,980 nationwide
- Population density: 55.9 people / square mile (11,826 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #1,789 nationwide
#21. Appomattox County
- Rural area: 100.0% (333 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 333 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #2,731 nationwide
- Population density: 47.4 people / square mile (15,814 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,636 nationwide
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#20. Richmond County
- Rural area: 100.0% (191 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 191 square miles
--- #87 largest county in state, #3,010 nationwide
- Population density: 46.7 people / square mile (8,951 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,624 nationwide
#19. Dickenson County
- Rural area: 100.0% (331 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 331 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #2,736 nationwide
- Population density: 43.9 people / square mile (14,524 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,554 nationwide
#18. Buchanan County
- Rural area: 100.0% (503 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 503 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #2,068 nationwide
- Population density: 42.5 people / square mile (21,374 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #1,527 nationwide
#17. Floyd County
- Rural area: 100.0% (380 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 380 square miles
--- #50 largest county in state, #2,600 nationwide
- Population density: 41.4 people / square mile (15,766 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #1,507 nationwide
#16. Madison County
- Rural area: 100.0% (321 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 321 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #2,758 nationwide
- Population density: 41.2 people / square mile (13,208 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #1,502 nationwide
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#15. Charles City County
- Rural area: 100.0% (183 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 183 square miles
--- #89 largest county in state, #3,027 nationwide
- Population density: 38.1 people / square mile (6,965 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #1,427 nationwide
#14. Patrick County
- Rural area: 100.0% (483 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 483 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #2,145 nationwide
- Population density: 36.6 people / square mile (17,660 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #1,385 nationwide
#13. Amelia County
- Rural area: 100.0% (355 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 355 square miles
--- #54 largest county in state, #2,672 nationwide
- Population density: 36.5 people / square mile (12,970 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #1,384 nationwide
#12. Nelson County
- Rural area: 100.0% (471 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 471 square miles
--- #32 largest county in state, #2,189 nationwide
- Population density: 31.5 people / square mile (14,812 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #1,256 nationwide
#11. Buckingham County
- Rural area: 100.0% (580 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 580 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #1,702 nationwide
- Population density: 29.5 people / square mile (17,087 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #1,196 nationwide
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#10. Lunenburg County
- Rural area: 100.0% (432 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 432 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #2,352 nationwide
- Population density: 28.5 people / square mile (12,294 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #1,169 nationwide
#9. Rappahannock County
- Rural area: 100.0% (266 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 266 square miles
--- #75 largest county in state, #2,870 nationwide
- Population density: 27.6 people / square mile (7,360 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #1,141 nationwide
#8. Charlotte County
- Rural area: 100.0% (475 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 475 square miles
--- #28 largest county in state, #2,169 nationwide
- Population density: 25.1 people / square mile (11,953 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #1,075 nationwide
#7. Surry County
- Rural area: 100.0% (279 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 279 square miles
--- #72 largest county in state, #2,851 nationwide
- Population density: 23.2 people / square mile (6,459 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #1,012 nationwide
#6. Sussex County
- Rural area: 100.0% (490 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 490 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #2,124 nationwide
- Population density: 22.9 people / square mile (11,202 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #996 nationwide
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#5. King and Queen County
- Rural area: 100.0% (315 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 315 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #2,773 nationwide
- Population density: 22.2 people / square mile (7,011 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #970 nationwide
#4. Bland County
- Rural area: 100.0% (358 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 358 square miles
--- #52 largest county in state, #2,662 nationwide
- Population density: 17.7 people / square mile (6,334 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #819 nationwide
#3. Craig County
- Rural area: 100.0% (330 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 330 square miles
--- #61 largest county in state, #2,737 nationwide
- Population density: 15.5 people / square mile (5,103 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #754 nationwide
#2. Bath County
- Rural area: 100.0% (529 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 529 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #1,979 nationwide
- Population density: 8.0 people / square mile (4,248 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #498 nationwide
#1. Highland County
- Rural area: 100.0% (415 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 415 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #2,434 nationwide
- Population density: 5.3 people / square mile (2,202 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #383 nationwide
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