Montgomery County is a county in Virginia, United States, in the New River Valley in the southwestern part of the state. It had a population of 99,721 at the 2020 census and covers 389 square miles (1,010 km2), of which 387 square miles (1,000 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) is water, centred near 37°10′N 80°23′W.
Christiansburg is the county seat and its postal code is 24073. The county has two incorporated towns, Blacksburg and Christiansburg, plus several unincorporated communities. It sits in the Eastern time zone and is part of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford metropolitan area.
Towns & Villages in Montgomery County
Montgomery County has two incorporated towns and a handful of smaller unincorporated communities and census-designated places. Blacksburg, home to Virginia Tech, is by far the largest place in the county; Christiansburg is the county seat. "Unincorp." below means the place has no town government of its own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | Town | 44,826 | 24060–24063 |
| Christiansburg | Town · seat | 23,348 | 24073 |
| Elliston | Unincorp. | — | 24087 |
| Lafayette | Unincorp. | — | 24087 |
| Shawsville | Unincorp. | — | 24162 |
| Riner | Unincorp. | — | 24149 |
| Prices Fork | Unincorp. | — | 24066 |
| Ironto | Unincorp. | — | — |
| McCoy | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pilot | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Whitethorne | Unincorp. | — | — |
Elliston and Lafayette are neighboring communities along US 460 in the western end of the county and are often referenced together. A long list of subdivision and neighborhood names in and around Blacksburg and Christiansburg (Hethwood, Foxridge, Highland Park and similar) are residential developments, not separate settlements, and are not listed as distinct places here.
ZIP Codes
- 24073 — Christiansburg (county seat)
- 24060, 24061, 24062, 24063 — Blacksburg (also serves Virginia Tech)
- 24087 — Elliston (also serves Lafayette)
- 24162 — Shawsville
- 24149 — Riner
- 24066 — Prices Fork
Smaller communities such as Ironto, McCoy, Pilot and Whitethorne share a ZIP code with a neighboring post office town rather than having their own.
Geography
Montgomery County lies in the Ridge and Valley region of southwestern Virginia. The New River runs through the western part of the county, and the terrain rises toward the Blue Ridge on the eastern edge and Brush Mountain and Gap Mountain in the interior. The county is bordered by Giles County to the northwest, Craig County to the northeast, Roanoke County to the east, Floyd County to the south, and Pulaski County to the southwest. The independent city of Radford borders the county on the west and is surrounded on three sides by Montgomery County but is not part of it.
Demographics
Montgomery County had 99,721 residents at the 2020 census. Blacksburg, with 44,826 people, and Christiansburg, with 23,348, together account for roughly two-thirds of the county’s population; the remainder lives in unincorporated communities and rural areas. Virginia Tech’s student population inflates Blacksburg’s count relative to a typical town its size. The county’s median household income runs below the Virginia median of $89,931, reflecting the large share of college-age residents with limited income. Population density is about 258 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Virginia Tech, headquartered in Blacksburg, is the county’s dominant employer and economic engine, drawing research, technology and support jobs to the area alongside Montgomery County Public Schools and LewisGale Hospital Montgomery in Blacksburg. Christiansburg has grown as a retail and logistics hub along the I-81 corridor. Virginia Tech home football games each fall bring the largest annual crowds to the county, and the Blacksburg Farmers Market operates year-round on College Avenue.
History
Montgomery County was formed on December 31, 1776, from Fincastle County, which was dissolved the same day and split into Montgomery, Washington and Kentucky counties. It is named for Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general killed in 1775 at the Battle of Quebec. Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, chartered in 1872 and now Virginia Tech, was established at Blacksburg and has shaped the county’s growth and economy ever since.
Getting There
Interstate 81 crosses the county, along with US 11 and US 460. Nearby cities include:
- Roanoke — 35 miles east
- Radford — adjoining, to the west
- Wytheville — 35 miles southwest
- Lynchburg — 75 miles east
The Virginia Tech/Montgomery Executive Airport in Blacksburg serves general aviation; the nearest commercial service is Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport in Roanoke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Montgomery County, Virginia?
It is in the New River Valley of southwestern Virginia, along Interstate 81 between Roanoke and Wytheville.
What is the population of Montgomery County?
99,721 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Montgomery County?
389 square miles (1,010 km2), of which 387 square miles is land.
What is the county seat of Montgomery County?
Christiansburg is the county seat.
How many towns are in Montgomery County?
Two incorporated towns, Blacksburg and Christiansburg, plus several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Montgomery County?
Zip codes include 24073 (Christiansburg), 24060–24063 (Blacksburg), 24087 (Elliston/Lafayette), 24162 (Shawsville), 24149 (Riner) and 24066 (Prices Fork).
What university is in Montgomery County?
Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, is the county’s largest employer and one of Virginia’s largest public universities.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Virginia.