When was Northampton County founded?

Northampton County was founded in 1634, and named after Northamptonshire, England.

What is the county seat of Northampton County?

The county seat of Northampton County is Eastville.

Is there an online parcel map for Northampton County?

Yes. Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management publishes a parcel map of 16,386 parcels, rated good enough here. You can click any parcel on it in Parcel Chart's free map, no sign-in needed.

Has Northampton County's boundary or name changed?

Northampton County was created in 1634. Since then the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 2 later changes, chiefly involving Accomack County. It was formerly called Accomack.

Who issues building permits in Northampton County?

The county's page on building permits: Forms, Permits & Licenses - Northampton County. Inside a city or town, ask that city first.

Is my lot in a flood zone?

We do not have flood maps for Northampton County yet. Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows the effective flood map for any lot.

County · code 51131

Northampton CountyVirginia

Northampton County is located in Virginia and has its county seat in Eastville. The county was established in 1634 as one of Virginia's original eight shires.

Founded1634
County seatEastville
Named forNorthamptonshire, England
Land area212 sq mi + 584 sq mi water
Population12,282 2020 Census
Parcels mapped16,386 checked 15 October 2026

Open the free map Click any parcel in Northampton County: acreage, parcel id, address and who publishes the map. No sign-in.

Updated 20 October 2026

Census outline · seat marked

History

Founded in 1634

An old deed may name a county that no longer exists, or a boundary that has since moved.

Originally created in 1634 as Accomack County, it was renamed Northampton in 1643, likely named after Northamptonshire. In 1663, Northampton County lost territory to the creation of Accomack County.

Boundary changes from the Newberry Library, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

c. 1634
Northampton County created Accomack (original, now Northampton) created as one of the original eight shires (counties). 31 December 1634 · Hening, 1:224; Tyler, 197-198
c. 1643
Renamed Accomack (original) renamed Northampton.
formerly Accomack
31 December 1643 · Hening, 1:249
c. 1663
Lost territory Northampton lost to creation of Accomack.
to Accomack
31 December 1663 · Robinson, 42, 73

Land and parcels

What the maps cover in Northampton

Who publishes each layer, how good it is, and when we last checked.

Parcels Good enough

Lot lines and tax-map numbers for 16,386 parcels from Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Drawn for tax purposes: usually within a few feet of a survey, but not a survey.
checked 15 October 2026
Address points Official

One point per address, 9,596 in all from Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Dept of Emergency Management (VDEM; VGIN moved from VITA to VDEM).
checked 14 October 2026
Buildings Reference

Roof outlines traced from aerial imagery from FEMA Response Geospatial Office with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Good for seeing what is on a lot; not accurate enough to set a fence from.
checked 18 October 2026

Official: from the office that keeps the record
Good enough: a reliable statewide or national copy
Fallback: a guide only; check the official record
Missing: nothing public found yet

People and land

Northampton by the Census

Population

12,282 2020 Census count

Housing units

7,373 2020 Census count

Land area

212 square miles

Water area

584 square miles · 73% of the county, including large bodies of water

People per sq mi

58 population ÷ land area

Source: US Census Bureau, 2020 Census; US Census Bureau, 2020 Gazetteer Files. Not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Rules and offices

Who to ask before you build, dig or sell

Official county pages only. We link to them; we do not copy them, because they change.

Inside a city or town, permits usually come from that city rather than the county.

Permits

Forms, Permits & Licenses - Northampton Countyfrom co.northampton.va.us
Building Services and Permits - Northampton Countyfrom co.northampton.va.us

Zoning and code

Code of Ordinancesfrom co.northampton.va.us
Zoning Applications and Checklists - Northampton Countyfrom co.northampton.va.us
Zoning - Northampton Countyfrom co.northampton.va.us

County government

County government
The official website of Northampton County.
co.northampton.va.us

See your own lot on these maps

Open Northampton County on Parcel Chart's free map and click your parcel. Save it with a free account; the full record of your place (site map, projects, documents) is Pro, in early access.

Open the free map no sign-in Pro early access

Questions

Common questions about Northampton County

When was Northampton County founded?: Northampton County was founded in 1634, and named after Northamptonshire, England.
What is the county seat of Northampton County?: The county seat of Northampton County is Eastville.
Is there an online parcel map for Northampton County?: Yes. Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management publishes a parcel map of 16,386 parcels, rated good enough here. You can click any parcel on it in Parcel Chart's free map, no sign-in needed.
Has Northampton County's boundary or name changed?: Northampton County was created in 1634. Since then the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 2 later changes, chiefly involving Accomack County. It was formerly called Accomack.
Who issues building permits in Northampton County?: The county's page on building permits: Forms, Permits & Licenses - Northampton County. Inside a city or town, ask that city first.
Is my lot in a flood zone?: We do not have flood maps for Northampton County yet. Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows the effective flood map for any lot.

Nearby