Population170,803 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
River Crossings and Communities South of Washington
Stafford County, VirginiaStafford County offers a river-connected landscape south of Washington, with communities near the Rappahannock, Aquia Creek and the tidal Potomac. Its visitor experiences range from natural areas to archaeology, Civil War interpretation and the arts. That variety is easier to appreciate through a focused route than through the broad label of a commuter region. Choose one waterway, historical theme or scheduled cultural experience, then look for a nearby complement. A day with time for observation can reveal connections that remain hidden during a quick journey along the main roads.
Stafford County at a Glance
Population170,803 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatStafford
Largest municipalityNone - no incorporated municipalities
Established1664
ZIP coverage count13 (whole or partial coverage; Oct. 2026)
Total Area, Including Water280.050 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major routesI-95; US 1; US 17; SR 3
Main area codes540 / 826Meet 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.

Stafford County
Created in 1664, Stafford has a much longer Indigenous history, including the continuing presence of the Patawomeck people, who received Virginia state recognition in 2010. Later river crossings and settlement connected the county with wider events. Ferry Farm interprets George Washington’s early setting through archaeology and reconstruction, while Civil War sites and the Trail to Freedom address different experiences of the nineteenth century. These places require distinct questions and evidence. Living communities, excavated remains and military landscapes should contribute to a layered account rather than being compressed into a single story of the past.
An outdoor visit can begin with a designated route at Crow’s Nest, using current access information to plan the day. A history-focused trip might allow more time for archaeological interpretation or a themed driving tour. Stafford’s tourism itineraries also point toward arts and performances, which work best when planned around a current schedule. Pairing a substantial visit with a shorter stop provides flexibility without losing focus. The goal is to understand something about a particular place, whether through an exhibit, a landscape or a performance, before moving on to the next destination.
What Shapes Us
Evidence Beneath The Surface
Archaeology at Ferry Farm helps explain how a reconstructed setting is informed by physical evidence. Look for the relationship between objects, foundations and interpretation rather than assuming every visible feature is an original survivor.
Waterside Habitats
Natural areas invite a different kind of attention from historic buildings. On a designated walk, pause to observe habitat changes and the relationship between woods and water, allowing the landscape to set a slower pace.
Routes To Freedom
The Trail to Freedom connects geography with the experiences of people seeking liberty. Following its interpretation can shift a familiar regional journey toward individual choices, movement and the consequences of war for ordinary families.
Stafford County
Places and perspectives from Stafford County
Stafford school board approves new middle school schedule
New schedule includes six periods and core subject classes daily.
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min readAround Stafford County
Stories from every corner of Stafford County.
Stafford school board approves new middle school schedule
New schedule includes six periods and core subject classes daily.
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Stafford County Supervisors Deuntay Diggs, Kecia Evans to hold data center town hall
The meeting will be held from 3-6 p.m. Sunday at the White Oak Fire Station.
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Stafford School Board cuts middle school elective hours in 5-2 vote, extends superintendent contract 4-3
The Stafford County School Board on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, approved a middle school schedule that raises core-class…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Stafford supervisors move to strip data centers from technology zone incentives
Stafford County supervisors want data centers removed from the county’s technology-zone incentive program, arguing the extra tax breaks…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Stafford High School Marching Band earns first place at USBands Marine Corps Invitational
The Stafford High School Marching Band earned first place at the USBands Marine Corps Invitational at the U.S.…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min readMeet 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.
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
Boards and Commissions — Find county boards, commissions or committees and their areas of responsibility.
Board of Supervisors — Learn about the county governing board and find its official information.
Commissioner of the Revenue — Locate the county revenue office and its assessment information.
County Administrator — Contact county administration and learn about its responsibilities.
Treasurer — Find the county treasurer’s office and official payment information.
Economic Development — Find local business-development information and the responsible county partner.
Finance — Find the county’s financial administration information and department contacts.
Planning and Zoning — Find the county’s land-use planning or zoning information and contacts.
Procurement — Find county purchasing information and guidance for prospective vendors.
Building Permits — Start with the county’s building-permit or inspection guidance.
Schools
Local
Public Schools — Find official schools information and service contacts.
Special Education — Find local special-education services and family contacts.
Transportation — Find transportation services and current department information.
Family Resources — Find school-division information and support for families.
Enrollment — Find the school division’s enrollment steps and required documents.
Transportation — Find transportation services and current department information.
Local contacts
Commonwealth Governor's School — Not Applicable; grades N-N. 125 University Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22406. 540-548-1278 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Falmouth Elementary — Elementary; grades KG-05. 1000 Forbes St, Falmouth, VA 22405. 540-373-7458 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Edward E. Drew Jr. Middle — Middle; grades 06-08. 501 Cambridge St, Falmouth, VA 22405. 540-371-1415 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Stafford Senior High — High; grades 09-12. 63 Stafford Indian Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22405. 540-371-7200 . Contact listing: NCES 2024–2025; confirm hours and services directly.
Hospitals
For an emergency, call 911.
Local and regional hospitals
Stafford Hospital — Stafford County. View hospital services and visitor information. This is a regional option, not a nearest-hospital ranking.
Local
Rappahannock Area 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 — 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 and Rescue — Find local fire, rescue or emergency-services information and contacts.
Fire and Rescue — 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.
State Parks
Local
Widewater State Park — Stafford County park at the Potomac and Aquia Creek with public water access and trails.
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
Widewater trail information — Stafford County park at the Potomac and Aquia Creek with public water access and trails. Use the official maps to plan a route.
Parks — 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
Water — Find public utility or public works contacts and service information; coverage varies by address.
Water Bill — Find public utility or public works contacts and service information; coverage varies by address.
Water Main Break — Check the utility’s water-service disruption information.
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.
Libraries
Local
Central Rappahannock Regional Library — Find library services, branch information and borrowing resources.
Library Card — Review how to obtain a library card and borrowing privileges.
Local contacts
Fried Center — 124 Old Potomac Church Road, Stafford, VA 22554. 540-372-1144 . 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.
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.
Courts
Local
Clerk of the Circuit Court — Find court contacts, office information and guidance for court business.
Courts — 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.
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
Local
Transportation — Find transportation services and current department information.
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.
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 Stafford County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Stafford County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
170,803 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
280.050 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve is featured in Stafford’s outdoor itineraries. Choose a designated trail and check current access details; the preserve’s wildlife and waterside habitats reward a patient, quiet visit. Crow’s Nest visitor ideas.
The Stafford family itinerary describes a replica house built on the original foundation and archaeological interpretation. Look for how excavated evidence informs the reconstructed setting during your visit. Ferry Farm family itinerary.
The Trail to Freedom follows routes associated with freedom-seeking men, women and children through Stafford and the surrounding region. Use the interpretive tour to connect individual experiences with the broader landscape. Trail to Freedom.
Stafford’s Civil War Park interprets sites associated with the army after the Battle of Fredericksburg. The county itinerary introduces the park as an outdoor history stop; check current visitor information before going. Stafford Civil War Park itinerary.
Start with Human Resources, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Utilities, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Central Rappahannock Regional Library, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Germanna Community College, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
The tourism office offers a visual-and-performing-arts itinerary among its themed trips. Use it to identify venues, then check their current programs to build a visit around an exhibition or performance. Stafford arts itineraries.
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.
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Kids’ Fun
- Porter Branch Library
Stafford County — in Stafford County
Browse children’s books together and check the branch calendar for family activities. - Widewater State Park
Stafford County — in Stafford County
A family outdoor outing; check facilities, ranger programs and applicable fees before visiting. - National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Museum exhibits and family learning activities; some military-history content suits older children.
Restaurants
- Le Grand Cru Bistro
Stafford — in Stafford County
Seasonal bistro dining at Potomac Point Winery; reserve ahead. - FOODE
Fredericksburg — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Downtown Fredericksburg restaurant; review current menus and reservations. - Sedona Taphouse
Fredericksburg — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Fredericksburg restaurant with its location menu and hours online.
Shopping & Retail
- Riverby Books
Fredericksburg — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Used-book shop in downtown Fredericksburg. - Dog Krazy
Fredericksburg — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Pet food, treats and supplies; select the downtown Fredericksburg store. - Belk — Spotsylvania Towne Centre
Spotsylvania Towne Centre — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Department-store clothing and household goods at Spotsylvania Towne Centre.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Monkee’s of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Women’s clothing, shoes and accessories at the Fredericksburg boutique. - Belk — Spotsylvania Towne Centre
Spotsylvania Towne Centre — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Department-store apparel, shoes and accessories. - Cindy’s Closet
Ruther Glen — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Community thrift shop in Ruther Glen; browse clothing and check current shop information.
Outdoor Fun
- Chatham Manor
Stafford County — in Stafford County
Historic grounds with views toward Fredericksburg. - Widewater State Park
Stafford County — in Stafford County
Plan a walk on the park’s designated trails and review current access, parking and activity fees. - Chancellorsville Battlefield
Chancellorsville — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Use the NPS tour stops and trails to explore the battlefield.
Free Things To Do
- Chatham Manor
Stafford County — in Stafford County
Walk the grounds and explore NPS interpretation; check building opening hours. - Porter Branch Library
Stafford County — in Stafford County
Enjoy reading and browsing in the public library; borrowing eligibility and optional service charges are separate. - National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle — nearby region; outside Stafford County
Free museum admission; explore Marine Corps history near Triangle.
