There are various shopping centers, restaurants, and lodging facilities in both communities. The county is located near the geographic center of Virginia. This places it strategically adjacent to Lynchburg and within 50 miles of Charlottesville and Roanoke which enhances the local commerce and educational opportunities. The states capital, Richmond, is 100 miles to the east and the port of Hampton Roads and the nations capital, Washington, DC, are within 200 miles. Elevations ranging from 500 feet to 4,000 feet provide the County with spectacular rolling countryside.
Water is abundant from the James River and the many streams originating in the Blue Ridge.
Woodlands cover approximately three-fourths of the land, and most of the northwestern portion of the county is part of the George Washington National Forest. The climate is mild as evidenced by an average annual temperature of 56 degrees. Rainfall averages 40 inches annually, and snowfalls average 19 inches per year. Amherst County has a 1998 population of 30,200. Half the population is located in the south central portion of the county near the City of Lynchburg and around Madison Heights.