Augusta County is the second largest county in Virginia.  It is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley and is known for its natural beauty and senic attractions.  The Valley was settled in the early 1730s by Scotch-Irish and German immigrants. The independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro are within the borders of Augusta County, but are not part of the county.   Augusta County has remained primarily rural with agriculture being the primary industry.  Small towns dot the landscape, many retaining their unique character; others growing with new subdivisions and shopping centers.

Churchville, located on Route 42 South, is a farm based community with a grocery story, an antique store, a post office, and 8 churches.  Craigsville, with a population of about 1,000,  is further west at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains.  Mount Sidney, north on Route 11, has a county atmosphere.  A few of the homes and churches date back more than a century.  Mount Solon, to the west, remains seeming untouched by growth.  It is near Natural Chimney's Regional Park and is home to about 2,000 residents.

Areas of Augusta County that have seen more growth are Fishersville in the south and Stuarts Draft in the west.  Within easy access to Interstate 64, new subdivisions and stores are changing these areas from sleep rural communities to modern towns.

Augusta County has an excellent public school system with 12 elementary schools, 4 middle schools and five high schools.  Private school options are also available.  Mary Baldwin College and Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind are located in Staunton and Fishburne Military Academy is in Waynesboro.  Blue Ridge Community College, Bridgewater College, James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University, and the University of Virginia are all within commuting distance.

Augusta County is refered to as the "Crossroads of the Shenandoah Valley" because Interstates 64 and 81 intersect within its boundaries.  The county is also home to the Shenandoah Vally Regional Airport.  With the easy access and many attractions, the area has become a tourist destination.

Augusta County is rich in history with many Civil War markers and battle sites.  There are also countless antique shops and malls, campgrounds, hiking and biking trails, and mountain streams and lakes for fishing.  Augusta County is also home to two regional parks, Natural Chimneys and Grand Caverns. 

According to 2006 statistics from the US Census Bureau, Augusta county encompases 971 square miles and has an estimated population of 70,910.