Geography & Population

Location

The Town of Glasgow lies in southern Rockbridge County, Virginia, at the confluence of the Maury River and the James River, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Town is approximately:

Glasgow sits at roughly 750 feet elevation on the floor of the James River Valley, with Salling Mountain rising to the east. The Appalachian Trail crosses the area at US 501 / VA 130.

Size and population

Climate

Glasgow has a humid subtropical climate, with warm humid summers and cool wet winters. Average July high is about 87 °F; average January low is about 25 °F. Annual precipitation averages 42 inches.

The Town’s location at the confluence of two rivers makes it prone to flooding from major rain events, including the historic floods of 1936, 1969, 1985, and 1995. The Town has invested in flood mitigation, including a 1995–2003 buyout-and-relocation program funded by FEMA and the Commonwealth.

Government

Glasgow is incorporated as a town under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Town is governed by a Town Council and a Town Manager. Property is assessed and taxed by Rockbridge County; the Town levies a separate real estate tax and a business license tax.