Independent city · code 51830
Williamsburg cityVirginia
Williamsburg is an independent city in Virginia with a population of 15,425 as of 2020. Founded in 1638 and named after William Iii of England, Williamsburg covers 8.9 square miles.
- Founded1638
- Named forWilliam III of England
- Land area8.9 sq mi + 0.2 sq mi water
- Population15,425 2020 Census
- Parcels mapped4,885 checked 15 October 2026
Where it is
Williamsburg on the map of Virginia
Virginia has 133 counties and county equivalents, each with its own records office. Shapes with a page are links.
History
Founded in 1638
An old deed may name a county that no longer exists, or a boundary that has since moved.
Williamsburg became an independent city, second class, separated from James City on July 10, 1902. Between 1915 and 1983, the independent city expanded through multiple gains of territory from James City and York.
- 1902Independent city separated Williamsburg made an independent city, 2d class, from James City. · Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169
- 1915Gained territory Independent city of Williamsburg gained small areas from James City and York. · Williamsburg Planning Dept., correspondence, February 1990
- 1924Gained territory Independent city of Williamsburg gained small areas from James City and York. · Williamsburg Planning Dept., correspondence, February 1990; Bain, Annexation, [242]
- 1942Gained territory Independent city of Williamsburg gained from James City and York. · Williamsburg Planning Dept., correspondence, February 1990; Bain, Annexation, [243]
- 1964Gained territory Independent city of Williamsburg gained from James City and York. · Williamsburg Planning Dept., correspondence, February 1990; Bain, Annexation, [247]
- 1983Gained territory Independent city of Williamsburg gained from James City. · Williamsburg Planning Dept., correspondence, February 1990; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present," http://www.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html, 4 August 2003
Land and parcels
What the maps cover in Williamsburg
Who publishes each layer, how good it is, and when we last checked.
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Parcels Good enough
Lot lines and tax-map numbers for 4,885 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, 8,633 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
Williamsburg by the Census
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.
Records
Permits
Zoning and code
GIS and maps
County government
- County government
The official website of Williamsburg city.
See your own lot on these maps
Open Williamsburg city 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.
Questions
Common questions about Williamsburg city
- When was Williamsburg city founded?
- Williamsburg city was founded in 1638, and named after William III of England.
- Is there an online parcel map for Williamsburg city?
- Yes. Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management publishes a parcel map of 4,885 parcels, rated good enough here. You can click any parcel on it in Parcel Chart's free map, no sign-in needed.
- Has Williamsburg city's boundary or name changed?
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 6 changes for Williamsburg city. Since then the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 6 later changes, chiefly involving James City and York County.
- Who issues building permits in Williamsburg city?
- The county's page on building permits: interactive map of Neighborhood Parking Permit Zones. Inside a city or town, ask that city first.
- Who issues septic and well permits in Williamsburg city?
- The county's page on septic systems and wells: Health department: septic and well.
- Is my lot in a flood zone?
- We do not have flood maps for Williamsburg city yet. Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows the effective flood map for any lot.
Nearby