Richmond, VA, known as 'The River City,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in the central part of Virginia, Richmond is a large city that serves as the state capital and a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Washington, D.C. and Virginia Beach enhance its status as a central point in the region. Richmond's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Richmond is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Virginia State Capitol, the historic St. John's Church, and the scenic Maymont Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to the bustling Carytown, known for its shopping and dining. Richmond's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Richmond Folk Festival and the Virginia Wine Expo highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Richmond's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Virginia Commonwealth University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Richmond is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Altria Theater are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Richmond provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Richmond’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Richmond Flying Squirrels (MiLB) and the Richmond Kickers (USL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Richmond include healthcare, education, and finance, with significant employers such as VCU Health and Capital One driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and the GRTC Pulse, making commuting convenient.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Schools
The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Located in the state of Virginia, Richmond is a highly populated city with a population of 229,233 people. With a population density of 3,825 people per square mile, Richmond is well above the nation's average density level. Richmond is mostly populated by White (45%) and Black or African American (46%) ethnic groups. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Richmond, only 34% of the population is married.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Richmond is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before moving to any new city in Virginia, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Richmond and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, education, employment and other important metrics.
With a livability score of 84/100, Richmond is ranked #446 in the United States and #17 in Virginia. This is a fantastic score, as Richmond ranks well in multiple categories! This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Richmond ranks well for cost of living (B+), education (A) and housing (B).
If you're considering living in Richmond, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Richmond provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Richmond: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Maymont, and The Museum of the Confederacy.
Test scores serve as a vital gauge of a school's academic prowess and the proficiency of its students. They play a pivotal role in assessing whether local schools can deliver a robust educational foundation for children. In Richmond, the schools boast an impressive average test score of 67%, significantly higher than the national average. This outstanding academic achievement not only reflects the excellence of the local educational system, but also indicates the potential for students to thrive academically, making it an attractive destination for families seeking a high-quality education for their children.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Richmond excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Richmond is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Richmond come in at $244,200, which is 1.7% lower than the Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Richmond, the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 26.3% higher than the Virginia average.
| Statistic | Richmond | Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 70.2% | 77.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.5% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 5.0% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 2.1% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.0% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 7.7% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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