Lexington, #1 on this list · Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0

Virginia rankings · 2026

Best small towns in Virginia

Q: What is the best small town in Virginia?

Among 123 graded towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents, Lexington (Lexington city) ranks first, with an A+; walkability (A+) and schools (A+) are its strongest grades; jobs & income (B) is its lowest. Purcellville and Moorefield follow.

Lexington ranks first of Virginia’s 123 graded small towns (2,500–9,999 residents), with an A+: walkability (A+) and schools (A+) are its strongest grades; jobs & income (B) is its lowest. 50 of the 123 (41%) grade A− or better nationally, against 25% of U.S. towns.

The overall grade, sorted: cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk, from Census, FBI, state, CDC, EPA and FEMA data. How grades work

Lexington

Lexington city · 7,769 people

A⁺

Strongest: walkability A⁺, schools A⁺·lowest: jobs & income B

B⁺CostA⁻SafetyA⁺SchoolsA⁻HealthBJobsA⁺WalkBHazards

Purcellville

Loudoun County · 8,890 people

A⁺

Strongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A·lowest: cost of living C

CCostASafetyASchoolsAHealthA⁺JobsAWalkAHazards

Moorefield

unincorporated, Loudoun County · 6,123 people

A⁺

Strongest: health A⁺, jobs & income A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

C⁻Cost–SafetyASchoolsA⁺HealthA⁺JobsA⁻WalkAHazards

Where they are: Five of the top 10 are in Loudoun County.

All 123 small towns

Overall score, highest first. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among every U.S. town of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter. Each town links to its page, where the grade sheet shows every subject. The rank is the town’s place among all 249 Virginia towns.

Find a town

123 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.

#TownScoreGradeWhat drives it

1LexingtonLexington city · 7,769 people79.4top 0.2%A⁺Strongest: walkability A⁺, schools A⁺·lowest: jobs & income B

2PurcellvilleLoudoun County · 8,890 people77.4top 0.5%A⁺Strongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A·lowest: cost of living C

3Moorefieldunincorporated, Loudoun County · 6,123 people75.1top 1.4%A⁺Strongest: health A⁺, jobs & income A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

4Long Branchunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,034 people74.0top 2.1%A⁺Strongest: jobs & income A⁺, hazard risk A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁺

6Kings Parkunincorporated, Fairfax County · 4,315 people73.8top 2.4%A⁺Strongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C

7LovettsvilleLoudoun County · 2,708 people73.8top 2.4%A⁺Strongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A·lowest: cost of living C⁺

11Mantuaunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,298 people72.3top 3.7%A⁺Strongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C

12One Loudoununincorporated, Loudoun County · 3,309 people72.0top 4.1%A⁺Strongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

14Arcolaunincorporated, Loudoun County · 3,509 people71.9top 4.1%A⁺Strongest: hazard risk A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living D

15Hayfieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 4,392 people71.6top 4.5%A⁺Strongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

25Belle Havenunincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,570 people71.0top 5.3%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

26Belmontunincorporated, Loudoun County · 9,729 people71.0top 5.3%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

27West PointKing William County · 3,595 people70.9top 5.4%AStrongest: schools A⁻, jobs & income A⁻·lowest: hazard risk C

28Pimmit Hillsunincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,589 people70.8top 5.6%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living D

29Dunn Loringunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,957 people70.7top 5.7%AStrongest: health A⁺, jobs & income A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

32Greenbriarunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,243 people70.5top 6.0%AStrongest: walkability A⁺, jobs & income A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

42Navyunincorporated, Fairfax County · 3,839 people69.5top 7.5%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

44Pantopsunincorporated, Albemarle County · 4,665 people69.5top 7.6%AStrongest: health A⁺, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D

46Difficult Rununincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,938 people69.1top 8.2%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

49BerryvilleClarke County · 4,828 people68.9top 8.7%AStrongest: safety A, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living B⁻

50Union Millunincorporated, Fairfax County · 4,484 people68.7top 8.9%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C

53Florisunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,589 people68.5top 9.4%AStrongest: health A⁺, jobs & income A⁺·lowest: cost of living D

56Crosspointeunincorporated, Fairfax County · 5,669 people68.2top 9.7%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living D

57Veronaunincorporated, Augusta County · 4,165 people68.1top 10.1%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁻, hazard risk A⁻·lowest: health B

62Fair Lakesunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,894 people67.9top 10.4%AStrongest: health A⁺, jobs & income A⁺·lowest: cost of living D

63University Centerunincorporated, Loudoun County · 3,923 people67.5top 11.3%AStrongest: hazard risk A, schools A·lowest: cost of living C

65Laurel Hillunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,450 people67.3top 11.6%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living D

67Countrysideunincorporated, Loudoun County · 9,661 people67.3top 11.7%AStrongest: health A, schools A·lowest: cost of living C⁻

69Dulles Town Centerunincorporated, Loudoun County · 5,464 people67.2top 11.9%AStrongest: hazard risk A⁺, schools A·lowest: cost of living C⁻

71Falmouthunincorporated, Stafford County · 5,216 people67.1top 12.1%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁻, health A⁻·lowest: cost of living B

74Cloverdaleunincorporated, Botetourt County · 3,208 people66.7top 12.9%AStrongest: schools A, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability D

76South Rununincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,600 people66.5top 13.4%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living D

79Braddockunincorporated, Fairfax County · 6,536 people66.3top 13.9%AStrongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living D

86Fort Belvoirunincorporated, Fairfax County · 8,449 people65.3top 16.1%A⁻Strongest: hazard risk A⁺, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D⁻

87Woodburnunincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,503 people65.3top 16.1%A⁻Strongest: hazard risk A⁺, walkability A⁺·lowest: cost of living D⁻

88BridgewaterRockingham County · 6,924 people65.2top 16.3%A⁻Strongest: health A, walkability A⁻·lowest: cost of living C

89Seven Cornersunincorporated, Fairfax County · 9,371 people64.8top 17.1%A⁻Strongest: walkability A⁺, hazard risk A⁺·lowest: health C⁺

90Weyers Caveunincorporated, Augusta County · 2,744 people64.8top 17.2%A⁻Strongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A⁻·lowest: walkability D⁻

91North Springfieldunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,050 people64.8top 17.3%A⁻Strongest: health A, jobs & income A⁻·lowest: cost of living C⁻

92Lake Wildernessunincorporated, Spotsylvania County · 3,139 people64.7top 17.4%A⁻Strongest: hazard risk A⁺, cost of living A·lowest: walkability C⁻

93Hollymeadunincorporated, Albemarle County · 8,482 people64.7top 17.5%A⁻Strongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C⁻

95Ettrickunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 5,910 people64.4top 18.1%A⁻Strongest: cost of living A, hazard risk A·lowest: jobs & income C

96Blue Ridgeunincorporated, Botetourt County · 2,800 people64.3top 18.4%A⁻Strongest: schools A, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability D⁻

97Woodlakeunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 7,358 people64.2top 18.5%A⁻Strongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: cost of living C

99Aquia Harbourunincorporated, Stafford County · 7,481 people64.0top 19.2%A⁻Strongest: jobs & income A, health A⁻·lowest: walkability C⁺

100Gloucester Courthouseunincorporated, Gloucester County · 3,336 people63.6top 20.0%A⁻Strongest: hazard risk A⁻, cost of living B⁺·lowest: walkability B⁻

102Crozetunincorporated, Albemarle County · 9,289 people63.6top 20.1%A⁻Strongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C⁻

104Dalevilleunincorporated, Botetourt County · 3,797 people62.8top 21.8%A⁻Strongest: schools A, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living C⁻

107Merrimacunincorporated, Montgomery County · 2,733 people62.4top 22.8%A⁻Strongest: hazard risk A⁺, health A⁻·lowest: cost of living C

111Innsbrookunincorporated, Henrico County · 8,578 people61.8top 24.5%A⁻Strongest: hazard risk A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

112VintonRoanoke County · 7,967 people61.5top 25.6%B⁺Strongest: schools A, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C

113County Centerunincorporated, Prince William County · 3,789 people61.4top 25.7%B⁺Strongest: walkability A, jobs & income A⁻·lowest: cost of living C

118Dahlgrenunincorporated, King George County · 3,350 people60.9top 27.2%B⁺Strongest: cost of living B⁺, schools B·lowest: walkability C⁻

122WindsorIsle of Wight County · 2,947 people60.7top 27.7%B⁺Strongest: schools A⁻, hazard risk A⁻·lowest: walkability C⁺

123Bull Rununincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,823 people60.6top 27.8%B⁺Strongest: jobs & income A⁺, health A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

124Hutchisonunincorporated, Fairfax County · 7,284 people60.6top 27.9%B⁺Strongest: hazard risk A⁺, walkability A⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

127King Georgeunincorporated, King George County · 4,851 people60.1top 29.1%B⁺Strongest: cost of living B⁺, schools B·lowest: walkability C⁺

128DumfriesPrince William County · 6,405 people60.0top 29.4%B⁺Strongest: hazard risk A, walkability A·lowest: health C

129SmithfieldIsle of Wight County · 9,112 people59.9top 29.7%B⁺Strongest: jobs & income A, schools A⁻·lowest: cost of living C

132WiseWise County · 2,853 people59.6top 30.3%B⁺Strongest: schools A⁺, hazard risk A·lowest: health C

134GrottoesRockingham County · 3,099 people59.6top 30.4%B⁺Strongest: cost of living A, safety B⁺·lowest: walkability D

135Bealetonunincorporated, Fauquier County · 5,034 people59.3top 31.3%B⁺Strongest: jobs & income A, schools B⁺·lowest: walkability C⁻

137Marshallunincorporated, Fauquier County · 3,219 people58.5top 33.2%B⁺Strongest: hazard risk A⁻, walkability B⁺·lowest: health B⁻

139Massanetta Springsunincorporated, Rockingham County · 6,358 people58.4top 33.6%B⁺Strongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C

142Lake of the Woodsunincorporated, Orange County · 7,984 people57.9top 35.0%B⁺Strongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A⁻·lowest: walkability C

146Yorkshireunincorporated, Prince William County · 9,782 people56.8top 37.9%BStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income B⁺·lowest: hazard risk C

147Chamberlayneunincorporated, Henrico County · 4,692 people56.8top 37.9%BStrongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A⁻·lowest: walkability C⁻

149HillsvilleCarroll County · 2,836 people56.7top 38.2%BStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A⁻·lowest: jobs & income D

151DublinPulaski County · 2,652 people56.5top 38.6%BStrongest: cost of living A⁻, hazard risk A⁻·lowest: walkability C⁺

154Enonunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 4,137 people56.4top 38.9%BStrongest: jobs & income A⁻, hazard risk A⁻·lowest: walkability C⁻

157Potomac Millsunincorporated, Prince William County · 5,741 people55.9top 40.3%BStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living C⁻

159AshlandHanover County · 7,982 people55.2top 42.0%BStrongest: schools A⁺, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C⁻

160Shawneelandunincorporated, Frederick County · 2,754 people55.0top 42.5%BStrongest: cost of living B⁺, jobs & income B·lowest: walkability D⁻

167AbingdonWashington County · 8,284 people53.6top 46.5%B⁻Strongest: hazard risk A, schools A·lowest: jobs & income C

168Loch Lomondunincorporated, Prince William County · 4,606 people53.4top 47.0%B⁻Strongest: walkability A⁻, jobs & income A⁻·lowest: hazard risk D

169PearisburgGiles County · 2,873 people53.0top 48.3%B⁻Strongest: cost of living A⁺, schools B·lowest: walkability C⁻

170Carrolltonunincorporated, Isle of Wight County · 8,436 people52.8top 48.9%B⁻Strongest: schools A⁻, health B⁺·lowest: cost of living D

172ElktonRockingham County · 3,136 people52.6top 49.4%B⁻Strongest: cost of living B⁺, walkability B⁺·lowest: hazard risk C⁻

174Dumbartonunincorporated, Henrico County · 7,997 people52.3bottom 49.6%B⁻Strongest: hazard risk A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living C⁺

175Bethel Manorunincorporated, York County · 4,393 people51.8bottom 48.2%B⁻Strongest: schools A⁺, health B⁺·lowest: cost of living D⁻

177Buena VistaBuena Vista city · 6,672 people51.4bottom 47.4%B⁻Strongest: walkability A, safety A⁻·lowest: hazard risk C⁻

178OrangeOrange County · 5,365 people51.4bottom 47.3%B⁻Strongest: cost of living A, hazard risk A⁻·lowest: jobs & income C

179BroadwayRockingham County · 4,463 people51.3bottom 47.0%B⁻Strongest: safety A, cost of living B·lowest: walkability C⁻

181LebanonRussell County · 3,075 people50.5bottom 45.0%B⁻Strongest: cost of living A⁻, walkability A⁻·lowest: safety C⁻

182Big Stone GapWise County · 5,102 people49.9bottom 43.4%C⁺Strongest: schools A⁺, walkability A⁻·lowest: jobs & income D

183WythevilleWythe County · 8,128 people49.4bottom 41.9%C⁺Strongest: hazard risk A⁺, schools A·lowest: health C⁻

184Rocky MountFranklin County · 4,973 people49.3bottom 41.7%C⁺Strongest: hazard risk A, schools A⁻·lowest: safety D

185North Shoreunincorporated, Franklin County · 3,638 people48.6bottom 39.9%C⁺Strongest: schools A⁻, health B⁺·lowest: walkability C⁻

187StrasburgShenandoah County · 7,380 people48.5bottom 39.5%C⁺Strongest: hazard risk B, schools B·lowest: health C

191Sandstonunincorporated, Henrico County · 7,399 people48.3bottom 38.9%C⁺Strongest: hazard risk A⁺, cost of living B·lowest: health C⁻

194Mount Hermonunincorporated, Pittsylvania County · 4,155 people48.1bottom 38.1%C⁺Strongest: hazard risk A⁻, schools A⁻·lowest: walkability D

195Spotsylvania Courthouseunincorporated, Spotsylvania County · 7,180 people47.9bottom 37.7%C⁺Strongest: hazard risk B⁺, cost of living B⁺·lowest: walkability C⁻

197Bellwoodunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 7,907 people47.4bottom 36.5%C⁺Strongest: hazard risk A, walkability B⁺·lowest: health D⁻

199Lake Land'Orunincorporated, Caroline County · 4,390 people47.0bottom 35.5%C⁺Strongest: jobs & income A⁻, health B·lowest: walkability C⁻

202Fishersvilleunincorporated, Augusta County · 9,484 people45.9bottom 32.6%CStrongest: hazard risk A⁻, schools B⁺·lowest: cost of living C⁻

203Montroseunincorporated, Henrico County · 8,285 people45.8bottom 32.3%CStrongest: hazard risk A⁺, walkability B⁺·lowest: health C⁻

205TazewellTazewell County · 4,291 people45.0bottom 30.2%CStrongest: schools A⁻, cost of living B⁺·lowest: health C⁻

207Bensleyunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 5,949 people44.2bottom 28.4%CStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability B⁺·lowest: health D⁻

209BedfordBedford County · 7,911 people43.9bottom 27.5%CStrongest: hazard risk A⁺, cost of living A⁻·lowest: health D

211Clifton ForgeAlleghany County · 3,372 people42.7bottom 24.8%C⁻Strongest: cost of living A, walkability B⁻·lowest: health D

212Matoacaunincorporated, Chesterfield County · 2,724 people42.6bottom 24.6%C⁻Strongest: cost of living B, schools B·lowest: walkability D

213TimbervilleRockingham County · 3,166 people42.4bottom 24.0%C⁻Strongest: cost of living B⁺, schools B⁻·lowest: jobs & income C⁻

214NortonNorton city · 3,477 people42.0bottom 23.2%C⁻Strongest: schools A, walkability A·lowest: safety D⁻

215BluefieldTazewell County · 4,839 people41.6bottom 22.4%C⁻Strongest: schools A⁻, hazard risk B·lowest: safety D

216AltavistaCampbell County · 3,353 people41.4bottom 22.0%C⁻Strongest: cost of living A⁻, schools B⁺·lowest: health C⁻

217WoodstockShenandoah County · 6,002 people41.3bottom 21.9%C⁻Strongest: walkability B, schools B·lowest: health C⁻

218Shenandoah Farmsunincorporated, Clarke County · 4,179 people41.3bottom 21.6%C⁻Strongest: cost of living A⁻, schools C⁺·lowest: walkability D

220CovingtonCovington city · 5,680 people39.8bottom 18.6%C⁻Strongest: walkability B⁺, cost of living B⁺·lowest: health D

221PulaskiPulaski County · 8,807 people38.9bottom 16.9%C⁻Strongest: cost of living A⁻, schools B⁺·lowest: safety D

224Lake Carolineunincorporated, Caroline County · 2,862 people37.6bottom 14.5%DStrongest: hazard risk B, health B⁻·lowest: walkability D

226ChincoteagueAccomack County · 3,309 people37.2bottom 13.8%DStrongest: walkability A⁻, safety B⁻·lowest: hazard risk D⁻

229RichlandsTazewell County · 5,051 people35.4bottom 11.0%DStrongest: schools A⁻, cost of living B·lowest: health D⁻

231LurayPage County · 4,823 people34.1bottom 9.6%DStrongest: walkability B, safety B⁻·lowest: jobs & income D

232Colonial BeachWestmoreland County · 4,151 people33.9bottom 9.4%DStrongest: walkability A⁻, safety B⁻·lowest: health D

233MarionSmyth County · 5,555 people33.9bottom 9.3%DStrongest: hazard risk B⁺, cost of living B⁻·lowest: jobs & income D

234Collinsvilleunincorporated, Henry County · 7,139 people33.7bottom 9.1%DStrongest: hazard risk B⁺, cost of living B·lowest: health D

235FarmvillePrince Edward County · 7,593 people32.3bottom 7.3%DStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A⁻·lowest: schools D⁻

239South HillMecklenburg County · 4,889 people30.9bottom 5.8%DStrongest: hazard risk A, schools B⁻·lowest: safety D

244GalaxGalax city · 6,670 people26.9bottom 2.5%D⁻Strongest: hazard risk A, schools B⁻·lowest: health D

245BlackstoneNottoway County · 3,389 people26.7bottom 2.5%D⁻Strongest: hazard risk A⁻, cost of living B⁻·lowest: health D

247EmporiaEmporia city · 5,447 people25.6bottom 1.9%D⁻Strongest: walkability A⁻, cost of living C⁺·lowest: health D⁻

248South BostonHalifax County · 7,795 people25.6bottom 1.9%D⁻Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B⁻·lowest: health D

249FranklinFranklin city · 8,478 people19.8bottom 0.4%D⁻Strongest: walkability B⁺, hazard risk C·lowest: schools D

Method

How this list is made

Each town’s overall grade blends seven livability grades: cost of living (weight 18), safety (18), schools (16), health (14), jobs & income (12), walkability (8) and hazard risk (4). A town needs 2,500+ residents and three of the first four. Letters are national, so an A here means the same as an A in any state; the list is the same towns in the same order, ranked within Virginia. Towns without their own FBI figures are graded on the rest and their page says why.

Data years: crime 2023–2025 (FBI), Census ACS 2020–2024, CDC PLACES 2025, state school tests. How grades work

Left off: college campuses

Places where more than half the residents are college students (ACS) are graded like every town but kept off this list, since its figures mostly describe student life.

AUniversity of Virginia 82% college students
A⁻George Mason 54% college students

Quick answers

Questions people ask

What is the best small town in Virginia?

Among 123 graded towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents, Lexington (Lexington city) ranks first, with an A+; walkability (A+) and schools (A+) are its strongest grades; jobs & income (B) is its lowest. Purcellville and Moorefield follow.

How are these towns ranked?

By the overall grade, which blends seven livability grades from public data. The letter is national; the rank is within Virginia. The full method is on How grades work.

Why isn’t my town on this list?

The list covers towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents with an overall grade (123 in Virginia). 119 smaller places have subject grades only; 1 town of 2,500+ lack enough data for a grade; 2 college campuses (University of Virginia, George Mason) are left off. Larger towns are on the best places to live list. Every town is on the Virginia page.

Go deeper

More Virginia lists

Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.

All Virginia rankings →

Other states

Best small towns in other states

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC OH OK OR PA SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY