Opal (formerly Fayettesville) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Fauquier County, Virginia, United States. It is on U.S. Highway 15/U.S. Route 17 and U.S. Route 29, at an elevation of 449 ft. The population as of the 2010 census was 691.

Geography

Opal is in western Fauquier County, 7 mi south of Warrenton, the county seat, and 18 mi northeast of Culpeper. US Route 17 diverges from Route 15 and 29 at Opal, leading southeast 31 mi to Fredericksburg. Bealeton is directly south of Opal. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Opal CDP has a total area of 8.2 sqkm, of which 0.07 sqkm, or 0.81%, is water. The north and east sides of the community are part of the Potomac River watershed via Licking Run, Cedar Run, and the Occoquan River, while the west and south sides are part of the Rappahannock River watershed, via Tinpot Run and Bowens Run.

History

Opal was chartered in 1798 as Fayettesville.