Virginia: government, population and official figures

Virginia is a state of the United States, number 12 of 51 by population. Virginia had an estimated 8,880,107 residents on 1 July 2025, 2.6% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 12th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.69%, 15th fastest-growing of 51.

Who runs Virginia?

The governor is Abigail Spanberger. Governor's office. Phone: 1-804-786-2211. Address: P.O. Box 1475 Richmond , VA 23218.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Virginia: The economy of Virginia (gross domestic product) was worth $807.9 billion in 2025 at current prices, 2.6% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 13th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 5.1% on 2024.
• Health in Virginia: Life expectancy at birth in Virginia was 77.5 years in 2022, 23rd longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Virginia: 89.1% of public high school students in Virginia graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 9th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Virginia: The Census Bureau estimates that 9.8% of people in Virginia lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 839,669 people; joint 8th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Virginia: Virginia's state government took in $84.3 billion in fiscal year 2024, $9,559 per resident, 24th highest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Virginia

• Virginia
• Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• Department of Social Services
• Consumer Protection
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• The United States Attorney's Office - Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia
• Department of Education
• Department of Elections
• Department of Emergency Management
• Department of Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Virginia

1. Virginia Beach 453,737 (2025)
2. Chesapeake 255,332 (2025)
3. Richmond 237,257 (2025)
4. Norfolk 231,013 (2025)
5. Newport News 183,230 (2025)
6. Alexandria 160,662 (2025)
7. Hampton 137,315 (2025)
8. Suffolk 104,699 (2025)
9. Roanoke 99,111 (2025)
10. Portsmouth 96,777 (2025)
11. Lynchburg 81,347 (2025)
12. Harrisonburg 50,839 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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