Alexandria city had the highest population density of 133 counties in 2020, at 4,114.2 inhabitants per km². Highland County had the lowest, at 2.1 inhabitants per km². The median was 40.8 inhabitants per km² and the figure for Virginia was 84.5 inhabitants per km². Source: the U.S. Census Bureau.
Resident population divided by land area in km². World Bank figures use mid-year population and land area excluding inland water.
United States: Census Bureau population estimates for 1 July divided by land area (water excluded) from the latest Census Gazetteer files. US tables often give people per square mile; multiply persons per km² by 2.59 to compare.
Every value in the ranking comes from the same publisher and the same period, so the counties are compared on one definition. Equal values share a rank.
How to cite
U.S. Census Bureau. Population Estimates Program resident population on 1 July divided by land area from the latest Census Gazetteer files, persons per km². https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
Use this data in your AI agent
Invokely serves this figure to AI assistants through MCP and to code through a REST API, with the source and citation attached. Ask your assistant:
Rank Counties in Virginia by population density using official data, and cite the source.
rank_places {"indicator":"population_density","level":"province","within":"Virginia","limit":10}
GET https://invokely.ai/api/v1/rank?indicator=population_density&level=province&within=Virginia&limit=10
Alexandria city, with 4,114.2 inhabitants per km² in 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Which county has the lowest population density?
Highland County, with 2.1 inhabitants per km² in 2020.
Where does this ranking come from?
Every value comes from one source and one period, so the places are comparable: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program resident population on 1 July divided by land area from the latest Census Gazetteer files, persons per km². Retrieved 2026-10-09.
