The Virginia Military Institute Historic District is a 12-acre (4.9 ha) National Historic Landmark District encompassing the historic central core of the Virginia Military Institute campus in Lexington, Virginia.

Visit this place →📍 Directions

21 on the National Register · 4 National Historic Landmarks · #18 in VAHistoric places →

Know Lexington

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

Open the full guide →

About Lexington

Independent city in Virginia, United States

1777Established

7,320Population

2.5 sq miArea

1,063 ftElevation

Lexington is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 7,320. It is the county seat of Rockbridge County, although the two are separate jurisdictions, and is combined with it for statistical purposes by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Lexington is within the Shenandoah Valley about 57 miles (92 km) east of the West Virginia border and is about 50 miles (80 km) north of Roanoke, Virginia. First settled in 1778, Lexington is best known as the home of the Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Lexington ranks

All →

#3Shortest commute in VA #7Safest in VA #44Most walkable in VA All VA rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code24450

Area code540

Living in Lexington

Housing in Lexington

$366K▲ 3.9% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Lexington home is worth about $366,000, up 3.9% in a year, 12% below the Virginia typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Lexington

A⁻

Safety Grade A-

Lexington reports less crime per resident than 79% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Lexington 0.6

Virginia 2.1

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Lexington 4.5

Virginia 13.9

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Lexington

Full picture →

44% of Lexington’s working residents work right in town. The top destinations are Roanoke (3%), Buena Vista (3%) and East Lexington (2%). Half commute less than 5 miles.

Roanoke

Buena Vista

East Lexington

Lynchburg

44%Work in townlive and work in Lexington 5 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 5,537Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Lexington →

Health in Lexington

A⁻

Health Grade A−

Healthier than 84% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Virginia

13better than VA·5worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 14 are too close to call.

Conditions 8▲ 4 close Habits 1▲ 1▼ 2 close Care 3▼ 4 close Mind 2▲ 1▼ 2 close Everyday needs 2▲ 2 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

7.6%Fewer adults with diabetesVA 12.5% · better 2.3%Fewer adults who have had a strokeVA 3.3% · better 18.4%More binge drinkersVA 14.5% · worse

Care nearby

Carilion Stonewall Jackson HospitalLexington · 0.3 mi · ER · rural critical access

Rockbridge Area Health CenterLexington · 2.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Lexington · CMS · HRSAHealth in Lexington →

Natural hazards in Lexington

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 39% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🏚️ Earthquakes⚡ Lightning

29Does Lexington flood?paid flood claims since 1982 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Lexington

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Lexington →

Climate in Lexington

Full climate →

Lexington has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 26°, and about 14 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

47° / 27°Winter

67° / 43°Spring

85° / 62°Summer

68° / 45°Fall

How much snow does Lexington get?About 14 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 23, with the last in spring around Apr 23.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.8° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Lexington →

Schools in Lexington

All Lexington schools →

A⁺

School Grade A+

The public schools Lexington’s kids attend outperform 99% of Virginia’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

See how Lexington’s schools compare in VA →

DistrictRockbridge County Public SchoolsSchools6

Central Elementary CElementary · Grades PK–5 · 466 students Harrington Waddell Elementary AElementary · Grades PK–5 · 350 students Woods Creek MontessoriElementary · Grades PK–K · 47 students Earthsong Community SchoolElementary · Grades PK–3 · 36 students Maury River Middle CMiddle · Grades 6–8 · 481 students Lylburn Downing Middle AMiddle · Grades 6–8 · 187 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within VA. Ratings are from neighbors.

Lexington is a college town

Colleges →

46%

of Lexington’s residents are enrolled in college. Washington and Lee University has about 2,277 students on campus, and 1 more college is in town.

14%How hard to get in?admission rate $23,781What does it cost?net price a year 94%Do students finish?graduation rate

College Scorecard · IPEDSColleges in Lexington →