Population10,352 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Rural County Roots Near the State’s Center
Cumberland County, VirginiaCumberland County offers a rural Virginia setting where forest, lake and river landscapes can shape an unhurried visit. The namesake community is the county seat, while Bear Creek Lake and High Bridge provide different reasons to venture farther. One centers an outing on water and woodland; the other follows a former railway across the Appomattox valley. Those contrasts are useful for planning. Choose a part of the county and an activity first, then connect the landscape with the communities and history around it.
Cumberland County at a Glance
Population10,352 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatCumberland
Largest municipalityFarmville (partly in county; 2020)
Established1749
ZIP coverage count7 (whole or partial coverage; Oct. 2026)
Total Area, Including Water299.759 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major routesUS 60; SR 45; SR 13
Main area codes804 / 686; 434
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Discover Cumberland County
Cumberland County
Cumberland was created from Goochland County in 1749 and named for William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. Mosby Tavern served as an early courthouse before the eastern portion became Powhatan County in 1777. The changing boundary makes dates essential when following an old place name. Later public landscapes tell additional stories: Bear Creek Lake originated in a 1938 forestry project, while High Bridge reflects the transportation corridor now adapted for recreation. Colonial administration, land management and railway history therefore provide separate starting points for understanding the county’s changing relationship with its surroundings.
A lakeside day can combine a picnic with careful observation of the adjoining forest habitat. A High Bridge outing asks a different practical question: which access point gives your group the right walking or riding distance? The River Road approach connects the trail with Cumberland, but the wider park extends beyond the county. Check current maps before committing to a route. Giving each landscape its own time makes the experience more coherent than assuming a lake visit and a lengthy rail-trail excursion will fit comfortably into one brief stop.
What Shapes Us
Boundaries In Records
Early references to Cumberland can describe territory outside today’s county. Comparing historical and present maps is a useful first step when tracing a family, a courthouse story or a place mentioned in older documents.
Forest And Water
The Bear Creek setting invites attention to habitat as well as recreation. Watch how shoreline, open water and woods create different opportunities for observation instead of treating every part of the park alike.
A Shared Crossing
High Bridge connects Cumberland with Prince Edward across the Appomattox valley. Its recreational role offers a present-day way to experience a structure whose location was first shaped by the needs of railway travel.
Rural places preserve stories across changing county boundaries.
A Closer Look
Cumberland County
Places and perspectives from Cumberland County
The Farmville Herald
$400,000 grant to restore Pine Grove School
A $400,000 state grant will help transform Cumberland County’s historic Pine Grove School into a living museum and…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min readAround Cumberland County
Stories from every corner of Cumberland County.
$400,000 grant to restore Pine Grove School
A $400,000 state grant will help transform Cumberland County’s historic Pine Grove School into a living museum and…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
School board recognizes students, staff
Each month during the regularly scheduled meeting, the Cumberland School Board recognizes the Students of the Month for…
Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Dominion’s Cumberland Energy Center proposal not ready for approval
Dear Editor: Why is Dominion pushing a December 2026 deadline for approval of a multibillion-dollar gas plant in…
Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
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County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Local
Economic Development — Find local business-development information and the responsible county partner.
FOIA — Find the county’s instructions for requesting public records.
Budget — Review county budget documents and financial planning information.
Cumberland County government — Find county notices, public meetings and official service information.
Board of Supervisors — Find the county governing board and meeting information.
Departments — Locate county departments and official service contacts.
Administration — Contact county administration and learn about its responsibilities.
Building Inspection — Find local permit, inspection and land-use guidance.
Commissioner of the Revenue — Find local tax assessment and revenue-office information.
Treasurer — Find county payment and treasury information.
Schools
Local
Public Schools — Find official schools information and service contacts.
Division Calendar — Check the school division calendar for school days and scheduled breaks.
Local contacts
Cumberland Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-04. 60 School Rd, Cumberland, VA 23040. 804-492-4212 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Virginia statewide
School Quality Profiles — Find state reporting on schools and school divisions.
Home instruction — Review state home-instruction guidance and local reporting requirements.
Special education — Find VDOE special-education information and family resources.
Virginia community colleges — Explore community-college education and workforce-training pathways.
Virginia public school enrollment — Review statewide enrollment requirements before contacting your local division.
Graduation requirement resources — Find state diploma and graduation-planning guidance.
VDOE family questions — Find the education department’s answers to common family questions.
Hospitals
For an emergency, call 911.
Local and regional hospitals
Centra Southside Community Hospital — Farmville, Prince Edward County. View hospital services and visitor information. This is a regional option, not a nearest-hospital ranking.
Virginia statewide
Virginia local health districts — Find the public health district and offices serving your locality.
VDH health facility oversight — Find licensing information and facility oversight contacts.
Virginia Medicaid — Find official coverage and member-service information.
Virginia health insurance marketplace — Review coverage options through the state marketplace.
Virginia 211 — Find local assistance with health access, transportation and basic needs.
Virginia immunization services — Find public vaccination information and service resources.
Virginia maternal health — Find state maternal-health resources and support.
National locator
HRSA health center locator — Search nearby federally supported health centers.
Medicare Care Compare — Compare participating hospitals and other providers by location.
Public Safety
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Local
Sheriff — Find the local law-enforcement office and its public services.
Virginia statewide
Active Alerts — Check current statewide public-safety alerts.
Missing Persons — View official missing-person notices and reporting information.
Criminal Record Check — Find state criminal-history record request procedures.
Fingerprinting — Review official fingerprinting service information.
Aggressive/Reckless Driver: How to Report — Read the State Police procedure for reporting dangerous driving.
Crime Prevention — Browse practical crime-prevention resources.
Vehicle Safety Inspection — Find information about Virginia vehicle safety inspections.
Vehicle Recalls — Check official resources for vehicle safety recalls.
Missing Children Clearinghouse (MCC) — Find state assistance and information concerning missing children.
Emergency Services
For an emergency, call 911.
Local
Fire & Emergency Medical Services — Find local fire, rescue or emergency-services information and contacts.
Virginia statewide
VDEM preparedness — Find Virginia household emergency planning resources.
Virginia 511 — Check traffic incidents and road conditions before travel.
National service
National Weather Service — Enter your location for official forecasts, watches and warnings.
Ready.gov emergency kit — Use the federal checklist to assemble household emergency supplies.
Ready.gov family plan — Prepare a household communication and meeting plan.
Flood preparation — Find preparation and response guidance for flooding.
Power outage preparation — Plan for loss of electricity and essential powered equipment.
Disaster assistance — Check assistance available after a federally declared disaster.
Red Cross shelters — Check open shelters during a disaster.
State Parks
Local
Bear Creek Lake State Park — Cumberland park with woodland trails, a lake and camping.
Virginia statewide
Find a Park — Compare Virginia state parks by location when planning a regional outing.
Park trail maps — Download park maps before choosing a walking or riding route.
Find programs and events — Check ranger programs and scheduled activities by park and date.
Reservation information — Review how to reserve campsites, cabins and other facilities.
Prices — Check the official fee schedule before your visit.
Search by amenity — Find parks with the facilities your group needs.
Accessibility — Review accessible facilities and visitor assistance.
Become a Junior Ranger — Find children's learning activities available through the state park system.
Rules and regulations — Check visitor rules, permitted activities and restrictions.
Trails
Local
Bear Creek Lake trail information — Cumberland park with woodland trails, a lake and camping. Use the official maps to plan a route.
Parks & Facilities — Find local recreation facilities and information for planning an outdoor visit.
Virginia statewide
Park trail maps — Download official state park trail maps and choose an appropriate route.
Hiking — Find state park walking opportunities and planning information.
Biking — Identify parks with cycling opportunities and check permitted use.
Equestrian — Find horse-trail and horse-camping information.
Accessibility — Check accessibility information before choosing a trail.
All-Terrain Wheelchairs available — Find parks offering all-terrain wheelchair access and reservation details.
Virginia Trails — Explore the state's overview of established trail systems.
Water Trails and Public Access — Locate water-trail planning resources and public access information.
Utilities
Local
Public Utilities — Find public utility or public works contacts and service information; coverage varies by address.
Virginia statewide
Regulated Electric Companies & Service Map — Identify electric service territories; confirm service for your specific address.
Regulated Gas Companies & Service Map — Identify regulated gas providers and their service areas.
Regulated Water/Sewer Companies — Find regulated water and sewer companies; municipal systems may be separate.
Universal Service: Lifeline — Review the telephone affordability program and application resources.
Electricity FAQs — Find answers about electric utility service and billing.
Natural Gas FAQs — Find answers about gas service and customer responsibilities.
Water/Sewer FAQs — Review state guidance on water and sewer utility service.
Virginia 811 — Request underground utility marking before digging.
Virginia Energy Sense helps you save energy — Find practical guidance on reducing household energy use.
Libraries
Local
Public Library — Find library services, branch information and borrowing resources.
Virginia statewide
Get a Library Card — Check eligibility for a Library of Virginia account and remote resources.
Catalog Search — Search the state library catalog for books and archival material.
Databases & eBooks — Explore online research databases and electronic books; access rules vary.
Research Guides & Indexes — Find guidance for Virginia genealogy and historical research.
Ask a Research Question — Ask state library staff for help locating research material.
Interlibrary Loan — Review options for borrowing state library material through a local library.
Digital Collections — Browse digitized photographs, records and historical documents.
Virginia Chronicle — Search digitized historical Virginia newspapers.
Ancestry for Virginians — Review access to selected Virginia genealogical records.
Courts
Local
Clerk of Circuit Court — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
Virginia statewide
Find a Local Court — Identify the court serving your locality and its official contact page.
Case Status and Information — Choose the appropriate court system to look up case information.
Pay Traffic Tickets and Other Offenses — Review official payment options and participating courts.
Access to Justice Self-Help — Find court-approved self-help information and forms.
Other Court-Related Forms — Locate forms by court and proceeding type.
Assistance with Protective Orders (I-CAN!) — Find the court system's protective-order assistance resources.
Mediation — Learn about court-connected mediation services.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — Find court accommodation information and coordinator contacts.
Foreign Language Services (FLS) — Review court interpreter and language-access resources.
DMV
Virginia statewide
Locations — Find a customer service center and check the services offered before traveling.
Reserve Your Spot — Check appointment options for a DMV visit.
Driver's License — Find instructions for obtaining, renewing or replacing a Virginia license.
Title Your Vehicle or Trailer — Review the documents needed to establish vehicle ownership.
Registration — Find vehicle registration and renewal instructions.
REAL ID — Review the identity documents needed for a REAL ID credential.
Disability Programs — Find parking placard and license plate information.
Change my address — Update the address attached to your DMV records.
Request a Copy of Your Driver or Vehicle Record — Request an official driving or vehicle record.
Moving — Find DMV steps for moving into, out of or within Virginia.
Transportation
Virginia statewide
Traffic conditions — Check road incidents, closures and traffic cameras before travel.
Travel advisories — Read current VDOT travel notices and planned restrictions.
Road maps — Download official highway and county road maps.
Toll roads — Identify toll facilities and their payment information.
Rest areas — Locate state-maintained rest stops along major highways.
Virginia Breeze routes — Compare intercity bus stops and schedules; service does not reach every county.
Virginia Breeze passenger information — Check luggage, accessibility and trip-planning information.
Commuting and public transit — Find Commonwealth public-transportation resources.
Virginia passenger rail — Compare Amtrak Virginia routes and stations for regional trips.
VDOT customer service — Report road maintenance concerns to VDOT.
Postal Services
USPS nationwide service
Locations — Locate post offices and collection boxes by your address or ZIP Code.
Forwarding Mail — Review mail-forwarding and change-of-address options.
Rent/Renew a PO Box — Check PO Box availability, rental and renewal options.
Schedule a Pickup — Check address eligibility and arrange collection of qualifying packages.
Schedule a Redelivery — Request another delivery attempt for eligible missed mail.
Track a Package — Check delivery progress using a USPS tracking number.
Calculate a Price — Compare postage costs for the size and destination of your mailing.
Finding Missing Mail — Follow the official steps for a delayed or missing item.
Passports — Locate passport acceptance services and review appointment preparation.
USPS Service Updates — Check disruptions affecting postal operations before visiting or shipping.
Veterans
Virginia statewide
Virginia Department of Veterans Services — Find state benefits offices and veteran support programs.
Virginia Veterans Network employment services — Connect with Virginia veteran employment and transition assistance.
National VA service
VA facility locator — Find nearby VA medical centers, clinics and benefit offices.
Accredited claims representatives — Find accredited assistance with VA benefit claims.
VA health care enrollment — Review health care enrollment and application options.
Disability claims — Find the official steps for filing a disability claim.
Education benefits — Review application steps for VA education benefits.
Careers and employment — Explore VA career counseling and employment support.
VA housing assistance — Find veteran home-loan and housing assistance programs.
Burial and memorial benefits — Review cemetery, burial and memorial benefit resources.
Employment
Local
Employment — View employment opportunities and application guidance from this local employer.
Virginia statewide
Virginia Works job-seeker services — Find career assistance, training and job-search support.
Virginia Workforce Connection — Learn how to register for the state job-search system.
Registered apprenticeships — Search approved apprenticeship opportunities.
Virginia state jobs — Search current Commonwealth employment openings.
Unemployment applications — Find official application steps for unemployment benefits.
VEC reemployment services — Review the state reemployment and eligibility-assessment program.
Virginia community colleges — Find community colleges and workforce-training pathways.
Virginia DARS — Find vocational rehabilitation and employment support for people with disabilities.
National
USAJOBS — Search federal openings by locality and occupation.
Get to Know Cumberland County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Cumberland County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
10,352 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
299.759 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Bear Creek Lake State Park has picnic areas near the lake and beach. Review the park’s facilities and seasonal notices to choose a convenient gathering spot before leaving home. Bear Creek Lake visitor information.
The lake sits within the Cumberland State Forest landscape. The state wildlife agency’s birding-trail entry is a useful starting point for observing the mix of water and woodland habitat. Bear Creek birding information.
The county identifies River Road as a High Bridge Trail access point. Check the current state-park trail map before choosing your route, especially when planning how far to walk to the bridge. Cumberland’s High Bridge connection.
The bridge spans the Appomattox River between Cumberland and Prince Edward counties. Its former railway route now provides a way to experience a landscape whose transportation story extends beyond a single jurisdiction. High Bridge landscape.
Cumberland County was created from Goochland County in 1749 and named for William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. Mosby Tavern served as its early courthouse until the county’s eastern territory became Powhatan County in 1777. A later addition along the James River further altered the map. These boundary changes matter when interpreting older records: places associated with the original county may lie outside its present jurisdiction, whose seat is the community of Cumberland.
Cumberland County offers a rural setting near the geographic center of Virginia, with its namesake community serving as the county seat. The scale is different from nearby metropolitan jurisdictions, making individual community and road names useful when planning. Historical research should also account for changes in the county boundary. Looking at both the modern map and the older jurisdiction helps connect present-day local life with the area’s colonial history.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 297.474 square miles of land and 2.285 square miles of water in Cumberland County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Cumberland County had an estimated 9,680 residents on July 1, 2020, and 10,352 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 672 residents, or about 6.9%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
The lake was built in 1938 through a state forestry project. Looking at that origin adds a conservation and public-recreation story to a visit centered on the water and surrounding forest. Bear Creek Lake history.
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Kids’ Fun
- Bear Creek Lake State Park
Cumberland County — in Cumberland County
A family outdoor outing; check facilities, ranger programs and applicable fees before visiting. - High Bridge Trail State Park
Farmville area — in Cumberland County
A family rail-trail outing; choose a distance suited to younger walkers. Parking fees may apply. - Cumberland County Public Library
Cumberland County — in Cumberland County
Browse children’s books together and check the branch calendar for family activities.
Restaurants
- Vito’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Cumberland — in Cumberland County
Italian dishes and pizza on Anderson Highway; takeout ordering is available. - Charley’s Waterfront Cafe
Farmville — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Waterfront cafe in downtown Farmville; check its current menu and reservations. - North Street Press Club
Farmville — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Downtown restaurant and bar with food and scheduled entertainment.
Shopping & Retail
- Green Front Furniture
Farmville — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Furniture, rugs and home furnishings across downtown showrooms. - Mainly Clay
Farmville — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Pottery supplies and handmade gifts on North Main Street. - Appomattox River Company
Farmville — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Paddlesports retailer with a Farmville showroom and boat-selection help.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Caryn’s Bridals
Farmville — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Bridal, formalwear and tuxedo shop; appointments are available. - Belk — Farmville
Farmville — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Department-store clothing, shoes and accessories at the Farmville location. - Simply Chic Boutique
Farmville — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Women’s clothing and accessories on North Main Street.
Outdoor Fun
- Bear Creek Lake State Park
Cumberland County — in Cumberland County
Plan a walk on the park’s designated trails and review current access, parking and activity fees. - High Bridge Trail State Park
Farmville area — in Cumberland County
Walk or cycle the rail trail and plan an access point for reaching High Bridge. - Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park
Amelia / Prince Edward / Nottoway counties — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Plan a walk on the park’s designated trails and review current access, parking and activity fees.
Free Things To Do
- Cumberland County Public Library
Cumberland County — in Cumberland County
Enjoy reading and browsing in the public library; borrowing eligibility and optional service charges are separate. - Longwood Center for the Visual Arts
Farmville — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Free gallery admission; check current exhibitions and opening days. - Robert Russa Moton Museum
Farmville — nearby region; outside Cumberland County
Free general admission to exhibits about the student-led civil-rights movement.
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below