StackerStacker delivers entertainment, travel, sports, finance, lifestyle, and news stories in an easy-to-read slideshow format, all driven by expert research, data analysis and editorial insight on some of the important and entertaining topics in the news todayen-ushttps://stacker.com/79c2f0ef-10f6-42a0-9670-3c0ecdd55c0cFastest-growing counties in VirginiaFri, 01 Jul 2022 11:00:28 -0400Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:00:28 -0400https://stacker.com/stories/virginia/fastest-growing-counties-virginiaStackerStackerStacker compiled a list of the fastest growing counties in Virginia using data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

]]>Fastest-growing counties in VirginiaHenryk Sadura // ShutterstockWhy do people move from one county or region to another? The usual suspects are jobs, family, significant others, and overall cost of living, but there are other elements at play. For those with children, moving within close proximity of a highly rated school district is a key contributing factor. For younger adults just starting out, living someplace with a vibrant social scene might be a top priority. And for those whose careers have wound down after a lifetime of work, finding retirement-friendly communities is the goal—communities deemed to be safe, offer accessibility to medical resources and leisure activities in equal measure, and be affordable for those on a limited income.

This is, of course, by no means an exhaustive list. People's reasons for choosing to live where they do are as diverse as people themselves.

As far as why certain counties across the U.S. have experienced growth, relocation is not the sole, or even primary, reason why. While more than 1,800 counties saw population gains in 2021, approximately 73% of all U.S. counties saw what the U.S. Census Bureau characterizes as a natural decrease. This was a significant jump from 2020, when 55.5% of countries experienced such a decrease. According to the Bureau, natural decrease is the simple result of "when there are more deaths than births in a population over a given time period." In 2021, the conflation of fewer births with an aging population that was also absorbing a higher-than-usual mortality rate due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic led to this "increased decrease."

Nonetheless, as stated 1,800 counties nationwide have grown larger over the last year, and a sizable percentage of them are in Virginia. Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing counties in Virginia using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020, based on the U.S. Decennial Census.

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]]>2461402461401#50. King William CountyBryan Pilati // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,875
--- #836 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +11.8%
--- #24 among counties in Virginia, #336 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 17,810
--- #85 largest county in Virginia, #1,929 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#49. WinchesterAPK // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +1,917
--- #831 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +7.3%
--- #39 among counties in Virginia, #607 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 28,120
--- #62 largest county in Virginia, #1,491 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#48. StauntonNyttend // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,004
--- #816 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +8.4%
--- #33 among counties in Virginia, #521 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 25,750
--- #68 largest county in Virginia, #1,570 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#47. Greene CountyFamartin // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,149
--- #798 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +11.7%
--- #25 among counties in Virginia, #342 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 20,552
--- #80 largest county in Virginia, #1,788 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#46. Shenandoah CountyNyttend // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,193
--- #793 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +5.2%
--- #50 among counties in Virginia, #795 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 44,186
--- #39 largest county in Virginia, #1,093 largest county nationwide

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]]>2461402461401#45. Powhatan CountySer Amantio di Nicolao // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,287
--- #784 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +8.2%
--- #37 among counties in Virginia, #557 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 30,333
--- #57 largest county in Virginia, #1,421 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#44. Falls ChurchSoutherngs // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,326
--- #777 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +18.9%
--- #7 among counties in Virginia, #132 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 14,658
--- #101 largest county in Virginia, #2,107 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#43. Caroline CountyPubdog // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,342
--- #775 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +8.2%
--- #36 among counties in Virginia, #549 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 30,887
--- #56 largest county in Virginia, #1,410 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#42. PortsmouthU.S. Navy photo // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,380
--- #768 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +2.5%
--- #64 among counties in Virginia, #1,118 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 97,915
--- #20 largest county in Virginia, #619 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#41. Orange CountyIdawriter // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,773
--- #737 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +8.3%
--- #35 among counties in Virginia, #537 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 36,254
--- #48 largest county in Virginia, #1,274 largest county nationwide

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]]>2461402461401#40. HarrisonburgAlma mater // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,900
--- #720 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +5.9%
--- #45 among counties in Virginia, #726 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 51,814
--- #36 largest county in Virginia, #968 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#39. Manassas Park- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,946
--- #716 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +20.6%
--- #4 among counties in Virginia, #104 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 17,219
--- #87 largest county in Virginia, #1,954 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#38. RoanokeNolanwebb // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,979
--- #710 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +3.1%
--- #61 among counties in Virginia, #1,046 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 100,011
--- #18 largest county in Virginia, #604 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#37. Goochland CountyJscott // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,010
--- #704 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +13.9%
--- #16 among counties in Virginia, #258 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 24,727
--- #70 largest county in Virginia, #1,613 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#36. CharlottesvilleMoofpocket // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,078
--- #696 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +7.1%
--- #40 among counties in Virginia, #627 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 46,553
--- #38 largest county in Virginia, #1,041 largest county nationwide

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]]>2461402461401#35. King George CountyMojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,139
--- #692 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +13.3%
--- #19 among counties in Virginia, #276 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 26,723
--- #66 largest county in Virginia, #1,536 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#34. Warren CountyAgnosticPreachersKid // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,152
--- #691 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +8.4%
--- #34 among counties in Virginia, #528 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 40,727
--- #43 largest county in Virginia, #1,165 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#33. Isle of Wight CountyNyttend // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,336
--- #674 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +9.5%
--- #31 among counties in Virginia, #452 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 38,606
--- #46 largest county in Virginia, #1,208 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#32. LynchburgAcroterion // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,441
--- #667 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +4.6%
--- #55 among counties in Virginia, #872 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 79,009
--- #26 largest county in Virginia, #719 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#31. FredericksburgKen Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,696
--- #650 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +15.2%
--- #12 among counties in Virginia, #220 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 27,982
--- #63 largest county in Virginia, #1,499 largest county nationwide

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]]>2461402461401#30. Augusta CountyFamartin // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,737
--- #647 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +5.1%
--- #51 among counties in Virginia, #816 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 77,487
--- #28 largest county in Virginia, #725 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#29. Louisa CountyAcroterion // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,443
--- #596 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +13.4%
--- #18 among counties in Virginia, #266 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 37,596
--- #47 largest county in Virginia, #1,231 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#28. New Kent CountyNyttend // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,516
--- #592 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +24.5%
--- #2 among counties in Virginia, #72 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 22,945
--- #74 largest county in Virginia, #1,679 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#27. Roanoke County- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,553
--- #588 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +4.9%
--- #53 among counties in Virginia, #831 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 96,929
--- #21 largest county in Virginia, #626 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#26. York CountyMojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,581
--- #587 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +7.0%
--- #42 among counties in Virginia, #635 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 70,045
--- #30 largest county in Virginia, #771 largest county nationwide

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]]>2461402461401#25. ManassasCarol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,951
--- #569 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +13.1%
--- #20 among counties in Virginia, #282 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 42,772
--- #41 largest county in Virginia, #1,124 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#24. Montgomery CountySkye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,329
--- #555 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +5.6%
--- #48 among counties in Virginia, #756 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 99,721
--- #19 largest county in Virginia, #607 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#23. Newport NewsPetra holden // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,528
--- #548 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +3.1%
--- #62 among counties in Virginia, #1,049 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 186,247
--- #11 largest county in Virginia, #360 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#22. Culpeper CountyNyttend // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,863
--- #540 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +12.6%
--- #21 among counties in Virginia, #303 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 52,552
--- #35 largest county in Virginia, #956 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#21. Prince George CountyRaul654 // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,285
--- #505 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +20.4%
--- #5 among counties in Virginia, #110 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 43,010
--- #40 largest county in Virginia, #1,116 largest county nationwide

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]]>2461402461401#20. Rockingham CountyFamartin // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,443
--- #502 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +9.8%
--- #29 among counties in Virginia, #436 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 83,757
--- #24 largest county in Virginia, #686 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#19. Fauquier CountyCecouchman // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,769
--- #491 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +11.9%
--- #23 among counties in Virginia, #329 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 72,972
--- #29 largest county in Virginia, #755 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#18. SuffolkCalstanhope // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +9,739
--- #432 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +11.5%
--- #26 among counties in Virginia, #344 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 94,324
--- #22 largest county in Virginia, #638 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#17. Hanover CountyMojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +10,116
--- #420 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +10.1%
--- #28 among counties in Virginia, #410 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 109,979
--- #17 largest county in Virginia, #556 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#16. Bedford CountyLzgoss // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +10,786
--- #410 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +15.7%
--- #10 among counties in Virginia, #205 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 79,462
--- #25 largest county in Virginia, #716 largest county nationwide

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]]>2461402461401#15. James City CountyMojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +11,245
--- #403 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +16.8%
--- #8 among counties in Virginia, #172 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 78,254
--- #27 largest county in Virginia, #723 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#14. Frederick CountyAgnosticPreachersKid // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +13,114
--- #369 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +16.7%
--- #9 among counties in Virginia, #174 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 91,419
--- #23 largest county in Virginia, #653 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#13. Albemarle CountyMark Lagola and Ben Lunsford // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +13,425
--- #366 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +13.6%
--- #17 among counties in Virginia, #262 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 112,395
--- #16 largest county in Virginia, #548 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#12. Spotsylvania CountyWikipelli // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +17,635
--- #314 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +14.4%
--- #14 among counties in Virginia, #241 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 140,032
--- #14 largest county in Virginia, #468 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#11. AlexandriaALXCHO // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +19,501
--- #298 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +13.9%
--- #15 among counties in Virginia, #257 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 159,467
--- #12 largest county in Virginia, #422 largest county nationwide

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]]>2461402461401#10. Virginia Beachgargola87 // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +21,476
--- #275 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +4.9%
--- #54 among counties in Virginia, #833 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 459,470
--- #3 largest county in Virginia, #156 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#9. RichmondWill Weaver // Wikicommons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +22,396
--- #265 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +11.0%
--- #27 among counties in Virginia, #367 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 226,610
--- #10 largest county in Virginia, #308 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#8. ChesapeakeJames Shelton32 // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +27,213
--- #236 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +12.2%
--- #22 among counties in Virginia, #313 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 249,422
--- #7 largest county in Virginia, #278 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#7. Henrico CountyRifleman 82 // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +27,454
--- #232 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +8.9%
--- #32 among counties in Virginia, #487 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 334,389
--- #6 largest county in Virginia, #214 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#6. Stafford CountyMojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +27,966
--- #228 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +21.7%
--- #3 among counties in Virginia, #91 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 156,927
--- #13 largest county in Virginia, #431 largest county nationwide

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]]>2461402461401#5. Arlington CountyPics2018 // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +31,016
--- #208 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +14.9%
--- #13 among counties in Virginia, #228 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 238,643
--- #8 largest county in Virginia, #285 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#4. Chesterfield CountyJames Shelton32 // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +48,312
--- #135 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +15.3%
--- #11 among counties in Virginia, #218 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 364,548
--- #5 largest county in Virginia, #199 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#3. Fairfax CountyMunich // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +68,583
--- #89 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +6.3%
--- #43 among counties in Virginia, #678 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 1,150,309
--- #1 largest county in Virginia, #39 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#2. Prince William CountyIdawriter // Wikimedia Commons- 2010 to 2020 population change: +80,202
--- #65 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +20.0%
--- #6 among counties in Virginia, #122 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 482,204
--- #2 largest county in Virginia, #149 largest county nationwide

]]>2461402461401#1. Loudoun CountyNicole Glass Photography // Shutterstock- 2010 to 2020 population change: +108,648
--- #46 among all counties nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: +34.8%
--- #1 among counties in Virginia, #26 among all counties nationwide
- 2020 population: 420,959
--- #4 largest county in Virginia, #171 largest county nationwide

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