Rockingham County, Virginia

Rockingham County sits in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and is one of the state’s leading agricultural areas. Vast fields of corn, soybeans, and other crops stretch across the countryside, giving the county its strong farming character.

The county surrounds the independent city of Harrisonburg, home to James Madison University. Outdoor recreation is another major attraction, with Massanutten Resort offering year-round activities such as skiing, golfing, hiking, and more.

The Rockingham County Fair is one of the largest annual fairs in Virginia and draws visitors from across the region. The county also provides access to the southern entrance of Shenandoah National Park, where Skyline Drive offers breathtaking mountain and valley views.

CategoryDetails
County NameRockingham County
County SeatHarrisonburg
PopulationApproximately 85,000
Cities, Towns, and CommunitiesHarrisonburg, Bridgewater, Elkton, Dayton, Broadway
Interstates and HighwaysI-81, US-11, US-33, US-340
FIPS Code51-165
Total Area (Land and Water)853 sq mi (Land: 849 sq mi; Water: 4 sq mi)
Adjacent Counties (and Direction)Pendleton County, West Virginia (West), Hardy County, West Virginia (North), Shenandoah County (Northeast), Page County (East), Greene County (Southeast), Albemarle County (Southeast), Augusta County (Southwest), Harrisonburg City (Enclaved)
Time ZoneEastern Time Zone (ET)
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.4993° N, 78.8774° W
EtymologyNamed after Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
Major LandmarksMassanutten Resort, Shenandoah National Park, James Madison University
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