Most rural counties in Virginia

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Virginia

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Virginia using data from the . 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.

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#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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