VFC Member Cities

The City of Charlottesville (founded 1762; charter) is located in Central Virginia in Albemarle County, approximately 100 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. and 70 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia. Situated within the upper Piedmont Plateau at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and at the headwaters of the Rivanna River, the City is autonomous and entirely independent of any county or any other political subdivision.

Visit the City of Charlottesville website.

Located in south-central Virginia along the North Carolina border, within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the nation’s population, Danville boasts historical landmarks, recreational opportunities and beautiful rolling countryside. Enjoy the City’s rare combination of small town charm and big city offerings!

Visit the City of Danville website.

Perched on the fall line of the Coastal Plain, the City of Emporia has historically been a commercial hub in Southside Virginia. The area along the Meherrin River was first explored in 1670. The Town of Hicksford was settled in 1710 where the Fort Road of eastern Virginia crossed the Meherrin River en route to Fort Christianna. The Town of Belfield was established in 1798 on the north bank of the river.

Because of friction between the two villages, Benjamin Tillar, a county native of Virginia House of Delegates, named the town after Emporia, Kansas, the hometown of one of his associates in the Atlantic and Danville Railroad. Emporia comes from the Latin word meaning place of plenty where business is transacted. The General Assembly revoked the town charter in 1888, a year after it had incorporated Emporia, and did not reincorporate the town until 1892. Emporia, Virginia located in Greensville County, was founded in 1887 from the merger of Hicksford and Belfield. The two Greensville County towns merged in 1887 to form Emporia, which was chartered as a City in 1967.

Visit the City of Emporia website.

Located on the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Hampton is graced with miles of shoreline and breathtaking water views. The city is literally in the heart of the Hampton Roads region and the center of the East Coast.

Established in 1610, Hampton is one of America’s oldest cities and is also one of the fastest growing cities in the region…a city on the move! Rich in history with small-town charm, Hampton has been recognized by Money magazine as one of the best places to live, as well as a national model for youth development and civic engagement. Stroll the streets of our vibrant, waterfront community and you will quickly see what makes Hampton a great place to live, work and play.

Visit the City of Hampton website.

Harrisonburg, Virginia is an independent city located in the central Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. Harrisonburg is located right along Interstate 81 and is only two hours away from both Richmond, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Harrisonburg is recognized as the county seat for Rockingham County.

Visit the City of Harrisonburg website.

Hopewell is an independent, historic, riverfront city–adjacent to Prince George and Charles City counties, as well as the Fort Lee Military Installation, located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the July 1, 2015 census, the population was 22,378. Hopewell is centrally located and is only 21 miles south of Richmond, Virginia and approximately 130 miles south of Washington, D.C.

Visit the City of Hopewell website.

Visit the City of Lexington website.

Lynchburg, Virginia is a city which remembers its past while focusing on the future – a vibrant central city fostering a strong sense of community, economic opportunity for all our citizens and responsive, results-oriented local government.

Lynchburg is a city of 50 square miles located near the geographic center of the state, bordered by the eastern edge of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. It is located approximately 180 miles southwest of the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.

Visit the City of Lynchburg website.

Visit the City of Martinsville website.