Leesburg in Loudoun County has the largest population (almost 50,000 people) of an incorporated town in Virginia
Source: Google Maps
Leesburg in Loudoun County has the largest population (almost 50,000 people) of an incorporated town in Virginia
Source: Google Maps
Towns are political jurisdictions chartered by the General Assembly. Town are authorized to impose taxes and provide additional services beyond those provided by the county. In many Virginia towns, a police and utilities department provide additional public security and water/sewer services. Towns also manage land use, determining what sort of development will be approved on parcels of land within the town boundaries
In contrast to incorporated independent cities, the land within town boundaries remains part of the county within which the town is located. Town residents pay both town and county taxes, and vote in both town and county elections.
Some towns are located on the border of two counties. Residents in a portion of the town will pay taxes and vote in one county, while residents in the other portion will pay taxes and vote in the other county.
In terms of population, the Bureau of Census estimated that in 2025 Leesburg in Loudoun County had 49,917 residents. That made it the largest town in Virginia, though Blacksburg with 45,104 was close.1
Town officials manage long-range comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances that control land uses. When Loudoun County sought a rezoning and special use permits for expanding Fields Farm Recreation Center and Fields Farm Park, plus improving access to a commuter park and ride lot, the Planning Commission in the Town of Purcellville rejected the requests.
The county had purchased 200 acres for the park in 2000. The town had annexed it in 2009 in order to provide sewer and water service. Town officials reacted to objections from nearby residents who lived in the town. Town officials were less concerned about the impacts on county residents who had supported the development.2
boundaries of Purcellville (Loudoun County) in 2026
Source: Google Maps
the Town of Purcellville had the authrity to block a propodsed development by Loudoun County
Source: Town of Purcellville, western Loudoun Park & Ride
New towns can be created by a petition from 100 voters within the boundaries of the proposed town. The petition must be filed in the local circuit court. The Virginia Supreme Court will then appoint judges to a special court to make a decision. A review of the proposal by the Commission on Local Government will provide needed information.
The special court can create a town, but Virginia is a Dillon Rule state. Only the General Assembly can grant a charter which provides special authorities beyond general law to town officials. Approval by county officials is not required, though of course the members of the General Assembly representing the county will have a role in any discussions of a charter. The General Assembly also has the power to pass a law that creates a new town, bypassing the special court process.
According to the Code of Virginia:3
Towns can abandon their charters and become unincorporated portions of the county. That process requires approval by the General Assembly. The towns of Clover (Halifax County), Castlewood (Russell County), Columbia (Fluvanna County) and Glen Lyn (Giles County) have been dissolved since 1997.
The General Assembly threatened to cancel the charter of the town of Pound (Wise County) in 2021 because the local government was dysfunctional. New town officials regained the confidence of the legislature, but continued to discuss the possibility of bringing town government to an end. In 2026, town officials in Mineral suggested abandoning their charter and becoming an unincorporated part of Louisa County.4