Buchanan County, Virginia
Buchanan County sits in the far western corner of Virginia. This is coal country. Rugged, remote, and tough. The people here have plenty of grit, just like the mountains surrounding them.
The Levisa Fork River winds through the county, cutting deep valleys into the landscape. It’s pure Appalachian country. Elk are doing surprisingly well here, too. Yep, elk in Virginia. Who would’ve guessed?
Grundy, the county seat, has literally had to start over. The entire town was moved to higher ground after repeated flooding. Talk about resilience. These days, ATV trails help draw visitors looking for adventure. The scenery is rugged, wild, and beautiful in a way that feels completely untouched.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Buchanan County |
| County Seat | Grundy |
| Population | Approximately 20,000 |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Grundy, Oakwood, Vansant, Big Rock, Hurley |
| Interstates and Highways | US-460, VA-83, VA-80 |
| FIPS Code | 51-027 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 504 sq mi (Land: 503 sq mi; Water: 1 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Mingo County, West Virginia (North), McDowell County, West Virginia (East), Tazewell County (Southeast), Russell County (South), Dickenson County (Southwest), Pike County, Kentucky (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone (ET) |
| State | Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37.2753° N, 81.9656° W |
| Etymology | Named after James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States |
| Major Landmarks | Breaks Interstate Park, Appalachian School of Law, Poplar Gap Park |