Virginia: elevation, cities and highest point
Virginia has 8,880,107 people (2025) and 133 counties and cities. Its highest point is Mount Rogers, at 5,729 ft, and its lowest, the Atlantic Ocean, at sea level. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 250,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties and cities.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 8,880,107
- The 12th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 39,481 sq mi
- The 37th largest state
- Counties and cities
- 133
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- Sea level
- Atlantic Ocean
Map of Virginia’s counties and cities
- Capital’s county or city
- County or city with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Richmond, sits at 213 ft (65 m): the 35th highest of the 50 state capitals. Virginia’s highest point, Mount Rogers, is 233 mi away in a straight line and 5,516 ft higher.
Between its highest point (5,729 ft) and its lowest (sea level) there’s 5,729 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Virginia’s is the 19th highest.
Virginia has 3 cities with a page. The highest is Richmond, at 213 ft, and the lowest is Virginia Beach, at 10 ft: 203 ft apart.
Virginia borders 5 states. Their highest points are Hoye-Crest, in Maryland (3,360 ft), Spruce Knob, in West Virginia (4,863 ft), Mount Mitchell, in North Carolina (6,684 ft), Black Mountain, in Kentucky (4,145 ft), and Kuwohi, in Tennessee (6,643 ft): Virginia’s is the 3rd highest of the 6. Their capitals: Annapolis (44 ft), Charleston (596 ft), Raleigh (315 ft), Frankfort (504 ft), and Nashville (555 ft).
- Mount Rogers 5,729 ft
- Richmond 213 ft
- Chesapeake 12 ft
- Virginia Beach 10 ft
Population
Virginia had 8,880,107 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 2.9% more than in April 2020 (8,631,419). Across 39,481 sq mi of land, that’s 225 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Virginia Beach, with 453,737 people. The Census counts 684 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Virginia.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 453,737 | 245 sq mi | 10 ft |
| Chesapeake | 255,332 | 338 sq mi | 12 ft |
| Richmond | 237,257 | 59.9 sq mi | 213 ft |
| Arlington | 236,254 | 26.0 sq mi | — |
| Norfolk | 231,013 | 53.3 sq mi | — |
| Newport News | 183,230 | 69.0 sq mi | — |
| Alexandria | 160,662 | 14.9 sq mi | — |
| Hampton | 137,315 | 51.5 sq mi | — |
| Suffolk | 104,699 | 399 sq mi | — |
| Roanoke | 99,111 | 42.5 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Virginia?
Mount Rogers, at 5,729 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 19th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Virginia?
The Atlantic Ocean, at sea level, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Richmond, the capital?
213 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 35th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Virginia?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 250,000 people), Richmond, at 213 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties and cities does Virginia have?
133, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know