Which J.K. Rowling book introduced the fictional town of Pagford?

The Casual Vacancy introduced the fictional town of Pagford in J.K. Rowling’s fiction.

Pagford is an English parish whose residents are divided by class, local politics, and a boundary dispute involving the neighboring estate of Yarvil. The novel opens when Barry Fairbrother dies suddenly, leaving a vacant seat on the parish council and triggering a contested election.

The town is fictional, but the book presents its institutions and tensions in a realistic contemporary setting. Rowling uses council meetings, school life, family homes, and local services to connect private problems with public decisions.

Pagford should not be confused with Rowling’s magical locations, such as Hogwarts or Hogsmeade. It belongs to The Casual Vacancy, her 2012 adult novel, and has no connection to the wizarding world. The name “casual vacancy” refers to an elected office becoming vacant between scheduled elections.