Goochland County is a county in Virginia, United States, part of the Greater Richmond Region on the north bank of the James River. It had a population of 24,727 at the 2020 census and covers 290 square miles (750 km2), with 281 square miles of land and 8 square miles of water, centred near 37°43′N 77°56′W.
Goochland is the county seat, and its postal code is 23063. The county has no incorporated cities or towns — every community is unincorporated or a census-designated place — and it observes Eastern Time. Virginia counties do not use civil townships, so this profile covers communities directly rather than by township.
Towns & Villages in Goochland County
Goochland County has one census-designated place, Goochland, plus a scatter of older crossroads communities and newer residential subdivisions. The table below separates the CDP from unincorporated communities; entries marked Unincorp. are historic place names or crossroads rather than platted subdivisions.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goochland | CDP · seat | 899 | 23063 |
| Manakin-Sabot | Unincorp. | — | 23103 |
| Oilville | Unincorp. | — | 23129 |
| Crozier | Unincorp. | — | 23039 |
| Maidens | Unincorp. | — | 23102 |
| Sandy Hook | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hadensville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sabot | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Manakin | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Fife | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Bula | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Elk Hill | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pemberton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Enon | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Broad Run | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Perkinsville | Unincorp. | — | — |
Manakin-Sabot grew out of two adjoining rail-era hamlets, Manakin and Sabot, which the Postal Service now serves under a single combined ZIP. Several names carried on older maps — subdivisions such as Auburn Chase, Wingmead and Fox Downs — are modern residential developments rather than historic communities and are not verified as distinct postal places, so they are omitted here.
ZIP Codes
- 23063 — Goochland (also serves the courthouse area)
- 23103 — Manakin-Sabot
- 23129 — Oilville
- 23039 — Crozier
- 23102 — Maidens
Smaller crossroads such as Sandy Hook, Hadensville and Bula share ZIP codes with a neighboring post office town and have no ZIP of their own.
Geography
Goochland County lies in the Piedmont, sloping from rolling upland in the north down to the James River, which forms its entire southern boundary. The river’s fall-line rapids and riverside parkland, including the James River State Park access at Bell Isle, mark the county’s southern edge. The Little River and Tuckahoe Creek drain the interior toward the James.
Goochland County borders Louisa County to the west, Fluvanna County to the southwest across the James, Powhatan County to the south across the James, Henrico County to the east, and Hanover County to the northeast.
Demographics
The county’s population was 24,727 at the 2020 census, up from roughly 21,700 in 2010. Goochland CDP (899) and Manakin-Sabot are the two largest named communities, though most residents live in unincorporated subdivisions along the US 250 and Route 6 corridors rather than in a single town center. Median household income in the county runs well above the Virginia median of $89,931, reflecting its position as a commuter and estate suburb of Richmond. Population density is about 88 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Goochland’s economy centers on the West Creek Business Park in the county’s east end, home to a large Capital One office campus (about 5,600 employees) and CarMax’s corporate headquarters (roughly 987 employees at its Goochland site). The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond also operates a facility in the county. Away from West Creek, the county remains largely rural, with horse farms, wineries and cattle operations along its back roads, plus the riverside recreation draw of James River State Park-adjacent land near Maidens and Bell Isle.
History
Goochland County was formed in 1728 from Henrico Shire, named for Sir William Gooch, then the colony’s lieutenant governor. At its creation it extended west to the Blue Ridge Mountains; that vast territory was steadily carved away as Albemarle County (1744), Cumberland County (1749) and other counties were formed from it, leaving the county roughly its present size by the late 18th century. The county courthouse at Goochland has served as the seat of government since the county’s founding.
Getting There
Interstate 64 crosses the county’s east end, with US Route 250 running parallel through the county seat and Virginia State Route 288 linking the county to I-64 and I-95 in eastern Henrico.
- Richmond — 20 miles east
- Charlottesville — 40 miles west
- Short Pump (Henrico) — 12 miles east
- Louisa — 20 miles west
Richmond International Airport, about 25 miles southeast in Henrico County, is the nearest commercial airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Goochland County?
It is in central Virginia’s Piedmont region, part of the Greater Richmond Region, along the north bank of the James River west of Richmond.
What is the population of Goochland County?
24,727 at the 2020 census.
How big is Goochland County?
290 square miles (750 km2), of which 281 square miles is land and 8 square miles is water.
What is the county seat of Goochland County?
Goochland is the county seat.
How many towns are in Goochland County?
The county has no incorporated towns; its largest named place is the Goochland census-designated place, alongside unincorporated communities such as Manakin-Sabot, Oilville, Crozier and Maidens.
What ZIP codes are in Goochland County?
Verified ZIPs include 23063 (Goochland), 23103 (Manakin-Sabot), 23129 (Oilville), 23039 (Crozier) and 23102 (Maidens).
What are Goochland County’s largest employers?
Capital One and CarMax both operate major offices in the West Creek Business Park, alongside a Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond facility.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Virginia.