Population40,083 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Historic Communities Across A Piedmont Landscape
Orange County, VirginiaOrange County brings together Piedmont landscapes, historic towns and places associated with several chapters of Virginia history. The Town of Orange and Gordonsville offer distinct centers, while Montpelier, Germanna and the Barboursville Ruins invite more focused visits. The variety encourages a selective approach. Choose a historical theme, a walking route or a landscape experience, then add a nearby stop that provides another perspective. A county visit becomes more rewarding when a mansion, a former hotel and an old train station are understood as different kinds of evidence.
Orange County at a Glance
Population40,083 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatOrange
Largest municipalityOrange (2020 Census)
Established1734 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP coverage count13 (whole or partial coverage; Oct. 2026)
Total Area, Including Water343.583 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major routesUS 15; US 33; SR 3; SR 20
Main area codes540 / 826
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Discover Orange County
Orange County
Established in 1734 and named for William, Prince of Orange, the county once covered territory far beyond its modern boundary. Germanna’s early settlement preceded the county’s creation. Later places connect Orange with constitutional history, agriculture, slavery, railway travel and the Civil War. Montpelier requires attention to the broader community associated with the estate as well as James Madison, while Gordonsville’s Exchange Hotel illustrates how a building’s purpose could change during war. Reading those accounts together keeps the county’s story open to different experiences rather than reducing it to a sequence of prominent names.
A practical itinerary might pair a substantial historic-site visit with time in one town. Review tour arrangements before traveling, and leave space for exhibits or a walk that extends your understanding of the place. Orange’s commercial district offers a town-scale route, while the Germanna area provides another combination of interpretation and outdoor setting. Barboursville adds an architectural perspective within a vineyard landscape. These destinations have different access arrangements and should not be treated as interchangeable stops. Let a clear interest determine the pace instead of trying to cover every period at once.
What Shapes Us
Buildings With Changing Roles
A hotel used for wartime care and a station adapted to visitor information show how structures can acquire new purposes. Ask what each building’s changing role reveals about the community around it.
A Piedmont Setting
The county’s rolling landscape provides context for farms, estates and towns. A route between historic places can become more informative when you notice their relationship to land and transport as well as architecture.
Several Voices
Seek interpretation that considers the wider communities connected with a historic property. Owners, workers, enslaved people and later preservationists contributed different experiences, and their accounts can change how a familiar landmark is understood.
Discover distinct local stories within a shared Piedmont setting.
A Closer Look
Orange County
Places and perspectives from Orange County
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Meet Local Businesses
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.
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.
Board of Supervisors — Learn about the county governing board and find its official information.
County Budget — Review county budget documents and financial planning information.
Administration — Contact county administration and learn about its responsibilities.
Agendas & Minutes — Find published meeting agendas and records to follow county decisions.
Boards & Commissions — Find county boards, commissions or committees and their areas of responsibility.
Commissioner of the Revenue — Locate the county revenue office and its assessment information.
Treasurer — Find the county treasurer’s office and official payment information.
Building Inspections — Start with the county’s building-permit or inspection guidance.
Permit Center — Start with the county’s building-permit or inspection guidance.
Schools
Local
Orange County Public Schools — Find the local school division, school contacts and family information.
Registration — Find the school division’s enrollment steps and required documents.
School Nutrition — Find school meal information and nutrition-program contacts.
Special Education — Find local special-education services and family contacts.
Transportation — Find transportation services and current department information.
Local contacts
Gordon-Barbour Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 500 W Baker Street, Gordonsville, VA 22942. 540-661-4500 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Locust Grove Elementary — Elementary; grades 03-05. 31208 Constitution Highway, Locust Grove, VA 22508. 540-661-4440 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Locust Grove Middle — Middle; grades 06-08. 6368 Flat Run Road, Locust Grove, VA 22508. 540-661-4480 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Orange Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 230 Montevista Avenue, Orange, VA 22960. 540-661-4450 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Orange County High — High; grades 09-12. 201 Selma Road, Orange, VA 22960. 540-661-4300 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Hospitals
For an emergency, call 911.
Local and regional hospitals
UVA Culpeper Medical Center — Culpeper; regional hospital outside Orange and Louisa counties. 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
For an emergency, call 911.
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 & EMS — Find local fire, rescue or emergency-services information and contacts.
Fire Prevention — Find local fire-prevention information and public safety programs.
Emergency Management — Find local emergency planning, alerts and preparedness information.
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.
State Parks
Nearby regional park
Lake Anna State Park — Regional park in Spotsylvania County with lakeside trails and recreation.
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
Nearby regional park
Lake Anna trail information — Regional park in Spotsylvania County with lakeside trails and recreation. Use the official maps to plan a route.
Local
Parks & Recreation — Find local recreation facilities and information for planning an outdoor visit.
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.
Utilities
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.
Tips for Conserving Water — Explore water-saving practices for home and garden.
Libraries
Local
Library — Find library services, branch information and borrowing resources.
In-Library Services — Find library services, branch information and borrowing resources.
Library Meeting Rooms — Find library services, branch information and borrowing resources.
Adult Library Programs — Explore age-appropriate library programs and activities.
Teen Library Programs — Explore age-appropriate library programs and activities.
Youth Library Programs — Explore age-appropriate library programs and activities.
Local contacts
Orange County Public Library — 146A Madison Rd., Orange, VA 22960. 540-672-3811 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
Gordonsville Branch Library — 319 N. Main St., Gordonsville, VA 22942. 540-832-0712 . Contact listing: IMLS FY2024; confirm hours and services directly.
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.
Courts
Local
Circuit Court Clerk — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
General District 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.
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
Human Resources — Find county employment information and the human resources office.
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 Orange County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Orange County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
40,083 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
343.583 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
James Madison’s Montpelier offers history interpretation and walking trails. Choose the tour or outdoor experience that fits your interests, and consult the site’s current program before planning the day. Montpelier visitor overview.
The Exchange Hotel became a Civil War receiving hospital. Its museum lets visitors explore care for the wounded within a building whose original purpose was lodging travelers. Exchange Hotel and Civil War Museum.
Fort Germanna’s visitor center interprets the early German immigrants and offers access to the Siegen Forest setting. Check current museum and trail information before combining indoor exhibits with an outdoor walk. Fort Germanna and Siegen Forest.
The Barboursville Ruins preserve the remains of the mansion designed for James Barbour. They add an architectural-history stop to a visit to the vineyard landscape around Barboursville. Barboursville Ruins.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Orange County was established in 1734 and named for William, Prince of Orange. The Germanna settlement on the Rapidan River preceded that county milestone. Later architectural and political histories include Montpelier and St. Thomas Episcopal Church in the Town of Orange. The county's early jurisdiction also extended far beyond its present boundaries. These different scales matter: a local landmark can illuminate one community, while an early county reference may describe a much larger region than the modern map suggests.
Choose one historical destination and a town stop rather than trying to cover every period in a single outing. Montpelier, Germanna and active places of worship have different interpretation and access arrangements. Seek accounts that include the broader communities connected with historic properties, including enslaved people where relevant. County history can orient the visit, while each destination's own current information should guide practical planning and available public access.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 341.078 square miles of land and 2.505 square miles of water in Orange 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.
The historic commercial district has a walking-tour option. Start with the visitor information and map, then look at how courthouse, business and railway buildings express different periods in the town’s development. Orange historic walking tour.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
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
- James Madison’s Montpelier
Orange County — in Orange County
Historic-site tours and family learning opportunities; check tickets and program ages. - The Market at Grelen
Somerset, Orange County — in Orange County
Check seasonal family activities and pick-your-own offerings before visiting. - Orange County Public Library
Orange County — in Orange County
Browse children’s books together and check the branch calendar for family activities.
Restaurants
- BBQ Exchange
Gordonsville, Orange County — in Orange County
Barbecue restaurant in Gordonsville with dine-in and takeout information. - Obrigado
Louisa — nearby region; outside Orange County
Restaurant in the town of Louisa with current menus online. - Tim’s at Lake Anna
Mineral, Louisa County — nearby region; outside Orange County
Lake-area restaurant and crabhouse near Mineral.
Shopping & Retail
- The Market at Grelen
Somerset, Orange County — in Orange County
Garden shop, plants and gifts near Somerset. - Grelen Downtown
Orange — in Orange County
Home and garden goods in the town of Orange. - Green Roost
Culpeper — nearby region; outside Orange County
Curated gifts and home goods in downtown Culpeper.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Green Roost
Culpeper — nearby region; outside Orange County
Women’s clothing and accessories at the Culpeper boutique. - Pepperberries
Culpeper — nearby region; outside Orange County
Boutique apparel and accessories in Culpeper. - Monkee’s of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg — nearby region; outside Orange County
Women’s clothing, shoes and accessories at the Fredericksburg boutique.
Outdoor Fun
- James Madison’s Montpelier
Orange County — in Orange County
Explore the estate landscape and official trails; check current access and admission rules. - The Market at Grelen
Somerset, Orange County — in Orange County
Plan a visit to the nursery landscape and check current trail access. - Wilderness Battlefield
Wilderness battlefield — in Orange County
Explore battlefield stops and walking trails; follow current NPS access notices.
Free Things To Do
- Wilderness Battlefield
Wilderness battlefield — in Orange County
Visit the battlefield without a park entrance fee. - Orange County Public Library
Orange County — in Orange County
Enjoy reading and browsing in the public library; borrowing eligibility and optional service charges are separate. - Chancellorsville Battlefield
Chancellorsville — nearby region; outside Orange County
Walk the battlefield and view NPS interpretation; the park has no entrance fee.
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below