Craig County, Virginia

Craig County, Virginia
Craig County Courthouse in New Castle
Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
Coordinates: 37°29′N 80°13′W / 37.49°N 80.22°W / 37.49; -80.22
Country United States
State Virginia
Founded1851
Named afterRobert Craig
SeatNew Castle
Largest townNew Castle
Area
 • Total
331 sq mi (860 km2)
 • Land330 sq mi (850 km2)
 • Water1.1 sq mi (2.8 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
4,892
 • Density15/sq mi (5.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.craigcountyva.gov

Craig County, part of the Roanoke metropolitan area, is a rural, mountainous county located on the western border of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is New Castle, which is also the only town in the county. As of the 2020 census, the Craig County population was only 4,892, making it one of the least populated counties in Virginia.

Craig County was formed in 1851 from parts of several adjacent counties, and was named in honor of Robert Craig, a longtime congressman from Southwest Virginia. More than half of the county remains federally protected land, forming a major part of the Jefferson National Forest.