If you’re sitting in a bar in Arlington or a coffee shop in Richmond and ask someone, "How many counties are in VA?" you’re almost guaranteed to get the wrong answer.
It sounds like a simple trivia question. But Virginia doesn't do "simple." This state has a government structure that is, quite honestly, a total outlier compared to the rest of the country. If you say there are 95 counties, you’re technically right—but you’re also missing a huge part of the map.
Here is the deal: Virginia has 95 counties and 38 independent cities. Why does that distinction matter? Because in almost every other state, if you live in a city, you also live in a county. If you’re in Miami, you’re in Miami-Dade County. If you’re in Los Angeles, you’re in L.A. County. But if you’re in the City of Alexandria, Virginia? You are in exactly zero counties. You’re in an independent city that functions as its own county equivalent.
The Magic Number: 95 Counties (and the 38 "Extras")
Basically, when you look at the official tally, the Commonwealth is divided into 95 counties. These range from the massive, bustling suburbs of Fairfax to the quiet, rugged stretches of Highland County (which, fun fact, has more sheep than people).
But the reason people trip up is those 38 independent cities. Because they aren't part of the counties they sit next to, the U.S. Census Bureau treats them as "county equivalents." So, if you are looking at a federal data sheet, you might see the number 133 (95 + 38).
The Independent City Weirdness
Virginia is home to about 90% of all independent cities in the entire United States. Think about that. Out of the 41 independent cities in the whole country, 38 of them are right here in the Old Dominion. The only others are Baltimore, St. Louis, and Carson City.
This leads to some truly confusing situations:
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- Fairfax vs. Fairfax: There is a Fairfax County. There is also a City of Fairfax. They have separate governments, separate police, and separate tax bills. The city is surrounded by the county, but it isn't in the county.
- Roanoke vs. Roanoke: Same thing. You’ve got the city and the county. Totally different entities.
- Richmond vs. Richmond: Now it gets even weirder. There is a City of Richmond (the capital) and a Richmond County. But they aren't even near each other! Richmond County is out on the Northern Neck, about an hour and a half away from the city.
Why is Virginia Like This?
You can blame history and a bit of a power struggle. Back in the day, Virginia started with "shires" in 1634. We had eight of them. Over time, as people moved inland, those shires were chopped up into the 95 counties we have today.
The whole "independent city" thing really solidified after the Civil War. In 1871, the state decided that cities should be their own thing, separate from the rural counties. The idea was that cities had different needs—like streetlights, sewers, and denser police forces—and they didn't want to be held back by (or have to pay for) the slower pace of county life.
Conversely, the counties didn't want to pay for the "expensive" city luxuries. It was a clean break. Or, at least, it was supposed to be. In reality, it created a century of "annexation wars" where cities would try to gobble up wealthy parts of a neighboring county to grow their tax base, leading to some pretty bitter legal fights.
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The Difference Between a City and a Town
This is where people get even more confused. You might be thinking, "Wait, I live in Blacksburg. Or Leesburg. Aren't those cities?" Nope. Those are incorporated towns.
In Virginia, a town is still part of a county. If you live in the Town of Vienna, you are also a resident of Fairfax County. You pay town taxes and county taxes. You vote for town council and the county board of supervisors.
A quick cheat sheet for the VA traveler:
- County: The big administrative blocks (95 of them).
- Independent City: A "hole" in the county map. It’s its own boss (38 of them).
- Town: A smaller community inside a county (like Herndon or Abingdon).
The "Invisible" Counties
Sometimes, people ask about the "lost" counties. Virginia used to have more. But over time, some were swallowed up by cities.
For instance, Elizabeth City County doesn't exist anymore. It was incorporated into the City of Hampton in 1952. Norfolk County disappeared in 1963 when it merged with the City of South Norfolk to create the City of Chesapeake.
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So, while the number 95 has been stable for a while, the map is a living document. Even recently, we’ve seen cities "revert" to town status because being an independent city is expensive. Clifton Forge gave up its city status in 2001 to become a town in Alleghany County. Bedford did the same in 2013, joining Bedford County.
Actionable Insights for Navigating VA
If you're moving to Virginia or just trying to get your head around the geography, keep these points in mind:
- Check Your Taxes: Don't assume that because your mailing address says "Fairfax," you’re in the county. If you’re inside the city limits, your tax rate and who you call for trash pickup will change completely.
- Address vs. Jurisdiction: The USPS doesn't care about independent city lines. You can have a "Fairfax, VA" mailing address but actually live in the county. Always check the FIPS code or your local voter registration to know where you actually "live" for legal purposes.
- Court Systems: Most independent cities have their own courthouses and sheriffs. However, some "second-class" cities share a circuit court with the surrounding county. It’s always worth checking which jurisdiction handles your specific legal needs.
- School Districts: This is the big one. Since cities are independent, they almost always have their own school systems separate from the county. Moving one block across a city line can change where your kids go to school.
Knowing how many counties are in VA is more than just a numbers game—it’s about understanding a unique piece of American history that still dictates how people live, vote, and pay taxes today. Whether it’s 95, 38, or 133, just remember: it’s complicated, and that’s exactly how Virginia likes it.