Augusta County, Virginia

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Augusta County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 77,487. Its county seat is Staunton, although most of the administrative functions are located in Verona. Augusta County is part of the Staunton-Waynesboro, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Augusta County was formed in 1738 from Orange County. It was named in honor of Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, the mother of King George III. The county originally included a vast area that extended to the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes, but its size was reduced as new counties were formed.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 971 square miles (2,515 km²), of which 967 square miles (2,505 km²) is land and 4.1 square miles (11 km²) (0.4%) is water. The county is located in the Shenandoah Valley and is bordered by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west.

Adjacent counties

• Rockingham County - north
• Albemarle County - east
• Nelson County - southeast
• Rockbridge County - south
• Bath County - southwest
• Highland County - west
• Pendleton County, West Virginia - northwest

Demographics

As of the census of 2020, there were 77,487 people, 29,962 households, and 21,345 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile (31/km²). There were 31,741 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km²).

Economy

The economy of Augusta County is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The county is known for its fertile soil and is a major producer of poultry, dairy, and beef cattle. Manufacturing industries include food processing, textiles, and automotive parts.

Education

Augusta County is served by the Augusta County Public Schools system, which includes several elementary, middle, and high schools. Higher education institutions in the area include Mary Baldwin University and Blue Ridge Community College.

Transportation

Major highways that run through Augusta County include Interstate 81, Interstate 64, and U.S. Route 11. The county is also served by the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, which provides commercial air service to the region.

Communities

Cities

• Staunton
• Waynesboro

Towns

• Craigsville
• Grottoes
• Middlebrook
• Mount Sidney
• New Hope
• Verona

Unincorporated communities

• Churchville
• Fishersville
• Fort Defiance
• Greenville
• Stuarts Draft

Notable People

• Zachary Taylor, 12th President of the United States, was born in Augusta County.

See also

• Shenandoah Valley
• Blue Ridge Mountains
• Allegheny Mountains
• Staunton-Waynesboro, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area