Population12,557 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
River Peninsula Communities With Deep Regional Roots
Northumberland County, VirginiaNorthumberland County offers a Northern Neck visit shaped by coastal communities, maritime heritage and places for quiet observation. Reedville’s museum provides one introduction to the working-waterfront story, while Hughlett Point brings visitors close to Chesapeake Bay habitat. Heathsville and local historical collections offer other perspectives inland. The county rewards a deliberate pace: select a community, a museum or a designated natural-area route, then let its particular story guide the outing. A coastline on a map is only the beginning of understanding the people and places around it.
Northumberland County at a Glance
Population12,557 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatHeathsville
Largest municipalityKilmarnock (partly in county; 2020)
Established1648 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP coverage count10 (whole or partial coverage; Oct. 2026)
Total Area, Including Water285.597 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major routesUS 360; SR 200; SR 202
Main area codes804 / 686
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Discover Northumberland County
Northumberland County
Northumberland was formed in 1648 in a region already inhabited by Indigenous communities. Its early territory was divided as other Northern Neck counties developed, so older references may describe places outside the present boundary. Later maritime work became central to communities such as Reedville, while farms and civic centers contributed different local histories. The historical society, established in 1963, preserves genealogy and community accounts. Those collections complement museum artifacts and historic buildings, offering ways to connect a family or occupation with a specific place rather than relying on one general peninsula-wide narrative.
Plan a coastal outing around actual public access. Hughlett Point’s map identifies trails and viewing areas, making it possible to choose a route without assuming that every shoreline is open. A Reedville museum visit can give context to the watermen and fishing heritage of the area. Around Heathsville, heritage organizations introduce other subjects, including rural work and traditional crafts. Check each operator’s visitor arrangements before joining those stops together. A carefully chosen indoor visit and a landscape walk can show different sides of the county without requiring a full-day driving loop.
What Shapes Us
A Working Waterfront
Maritime collections preserve more than boats: they connect tools, skills and livelihoods with local waters. Use a museum visit to consider the people behind the coastal landscape rather than seeing it only as scenery.
Coastal Observation
A natural-area walk rewards attention to small changes in habitat and shoreline. Follow designated routes and compare views toward the Bay and nearby creeks, allowing time for observation rather than distance alone.
Community Records
Historical collections can turn a broad family story into a place-based inquiry. Establish dates and community names first, then compare them with changing county boundaries to understand which records and locations may be relevant.
Discover community connections across a changing river-peninsula map.
A Closer Look
Northumberland County
Places and perspectives from Northumberland County
Rappahannock Record
Northumberland County Circuit Court Report
by AnnGardner Eubank HEATHSVILLE—The Northumberland County Circuit Court convened Tuesday, October 6, with the Hon. John S. Martin…
Read the Story Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min readAround Northumberland County
Stories from every corner of Northumberland County.
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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
Board of Supervisors — Learn about the county governing board and find its official information.
Agendas & Minutes — Find published meeting agendas and records to follow county decisions.
Northumberland County government — Find county notices, public meetings and official service information.
Departments — Locate county departments and official service contacts.
County Administration — Contact county administration and learn about its responsibilities.
Building & Zoning — Find local permit, inspection and land-use guidance.
Commissioner of Revenue — Find local tax assessment and revenue-office information.
Treasurer — Find county payment and treasury information.
Virginia statewide
Virginia voter services — Find official voter registration, election and polling information.
Virginia General Assembly — Find state legislators, legislative sessions and public information.
Schools
Local
Schools — Find official schools information and service contacts.
school nutrition — Find school meal information and nutrition-program contacts.
Local contacts
Northumberland Elementary — Elementary; grades PK-05. 757 Academic Lane, Heathsville, VA 22473. 804-580-8032 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Northumberland High — High; grades 09-12. 201 Academic Lane, Heathsville, VA 22473. 804-580-5192 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Northumberland Middle — Middle; grades 06-08. 175 Academic Lane, Heathsville, VA 22473. 804-580-5753 . 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.
Hospitals
For an emergency, call 911.
Local and regional hospitals
Bon Secours Rappahannock General Hospital — Kilmarnock, Lancaster County. View hospital services and visitor information. This is a regional option, not a nearest-hospital ranking.
Local
Three Rivers Health District — Find local public-health or healthcare information; this is not a hospital emergency department.
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.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911.
Local
Sheriff's Office — 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
Emergency 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
Nearby regional park
Belle Isle State Park — Regional park in Lancaster County with riverfront trails 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
Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve — Northumberland coastal preserve; check access restrictions and trail conditions.
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.
Virginia Outdoors Plan Mapper — Use the state recreation map to explore outdoor facilities.
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
Northumberland Public Library — Browse library services, location information and visitor resources. Contact the library for current hours.
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
Circuit Court — 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
Local
DMV SELECT — Check locally offered DMV services before visiting; DMV Select has limited transactions.
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.
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 Northumberland County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Northumberland County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
12,557 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
285.597 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum preserves the heritage of local fishermen and Chesapeake watermen. Its exhibits offer a useful introduction before exploring Reedville’s waterfront setting and the wider coastal landscape. Reedville Fishermen’s Museum.
Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve occupies a small peninsula on the Bay’s western shore. Use the official preserve map to locate its trails and observation areas before choosing your walk. Hughlett Point preserve map.
The map shows routes toward both Chesapeake Bay and Dividing Creek. Comparing the two shorelines gives a walk a simple theme; stay on the designated paths and observe sensitive habitat from public viewing areas. Explore Hughlett Point’s setting.
The museum provides information about group visits and tours. Contact it in advance to discuss your group, and distinguish its public museum schedule from the administrative office’s working hours. Reedville group-visit information.
Northumberland County was formed in 1648 within a region already inhabited by Indigenous communities. Its early territory was subsequently divided as other Northern Neck counties developed. The historical society, established in 1963, preserves local genealogy and historical accounts. These two timelines describe different kinds of institutions: the county's colonial government and the later work of remembering its communities. Both help explain why a family or place associated with early Northumberland may now be located in a different county jurisdiction.
Begin with a specific community or family question and use the historical society's resources to establish dates and locations. The river-peninsula setting can guide a wider outing, but individual shoreline access points require current information. Historical county names and modern boundaries should be compared carefully. A local collection visit can make those changes tangible before adding a public waterfront or town destination to the same route.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 191.432 square miles of land and 94.165 square miles of water in Northumberland 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, Northumberland County had an estimated 11,838 residents on July 1, 2020, and 12,557 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 719 residents, or about 6.1%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
County planning material identifies Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern and the Northern Neck Farm Museum among the area’s heritage destinations. Check each operator’s current visitor program to explore crafts, rural life or historic buildings. Northumberland heritage destinations.
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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
- Reedville Fishermen’s Museum
Reedville — in Northumberland County
Maritime exhibits and boats interpreting Reedville’s fishing heritage; check admission. - Northumberland Public Library
Northumberland County — in Northumberland County
Browse children’s books together and check the branch calendar for family activities. - Kilmarnock Town Centre Park
Kilmarnock — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Public play areas and a seasonal splash pad; special events have separate rules.
Restaurants
- Horn Harbor Restaurant
Heathsville — in Northumberland County
Waterfront seafood restaurant near Heathsville. - The Office Bistro
Irvington — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Restaurant serving salads, sandwiches and seasonal dishes; see its current menu. - The Local
Irvington — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Coffee shop and cafe with sandwiches and a patio.
Shopping & Retail
- Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center
Heathsville — in Northumberland County
Heritage arts, artisan activities and seasonal market shopping in Heathsville. - The Bookshelf on Church
Kilmarnock — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Independent bookstore; check its current shop information. - Kilmarnock Antique Gallery
Kilmarnock — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Multi-dealer antique gallery on School Street.
Clothing & Boutiques
- The Dandelion
Irvington — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Women’s clothing and accessories in Irvington. - Cathy’s Unique Pursuits
Kilmarnock — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Women’s clothing and accessories at the Kilmarnock shop. - Pearl Boutique
Kilmarnock — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Boutique shopping in Kilmarnock; the town page provides contact details.
Outdoor Fun
- Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve
Northumberland County — in Northumberland County
Walk designated paths and watch coastal wildlife. Parking is limited; when the lot is full, the preserve is full. - Belle Isle State Park
Lancaster County — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Plan a walk on the park’s designated trails and review current access, parking and activity fees. - Baylor Park
Kilmarnock — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Public park with natural scenery and designated paths.
Free Things To Do
- Northumberland Public Library
Northumberland County — in Northumberland County
Enjoy reading and browsing in the public library; borrowing eligibility and optional service charges are separate. - Kilmarnock Town Centre Park
Kilmarnock — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Enjoy the ordinary public play areas; ticketed concerts and special events are separate. - Lancaster Community Library
Lancaster County — nearby region; outside Northumberland County
Enjoy reading and browsing in the public library; borrowing eligibility and optional service charges are separate.
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