Chincoteague ( or /ˈʃɪŋkətiːɡ/) is a town in Accomack County, Virginia, U.S. The town includes the collective of Chincoteague Island and an area of next water. The population was 2,941 at the 2010 census. The town is known for the Chincoteague Ponies, although these are not actually on the island of Chincoteague but upon nearby Assateague Island. These ponies and the annual Pony Penning Day are the subject of Marguerite Henry’s 1947 children’s book Misty of Chincoteague, which was made into the 1961 relations film Misty, filmed upon location.

Chincoteague is located at 37°56′5″N 75°22′4″W / 37.93472°N 75.36778°W / 37.93472; -75.36778 (37.934673, −75.367805). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total Place of 37.3 square miles (96.7 km²), of which 9.1 square miles (23.6 km) is house and 28.2 square miles (73.1 km²), or 75.58%, is water. It lies at an height of three feet.

Chincoteague was a barrier island until the mid-1800s, when Assateague migrated as a result far south that it shielded Chincoteague from the ocean. The year of 1650 marks the first land allow issued on Chincoteague Island, for 1,500 acres (6.1 km). Daniel Jenifer became the first English landowner. In 1671, settlers came to the island, and by 1672 there were large farms by Bishops, Bowdens, Jesters and Tarrs. By 1838, there were 36 houses upon the island. In 1861, with the Civil War looming next the attack upon Fort Sumter, the island voted 132-2 not to secede from the Union and next to slavery. The town axiom minor fake in the raid via the Battle of Cockle Creek, which was fought in the bay in 1861.

The Native American make known for the island is Gingoteague, and the name of the town “Chincoteague” first appeared in the Decisions of the United States Board on Geographic Names in 1943.