Henrico
Average Home Prices
Average Home Statistics
In Terms ofAverage Home Prices
Per Square FeetTable of Contents
Introduction
Reverent of its rich past but with an eye towards its dynamic future– that’s the best way to describe Henrico. Curving around the city of Richmond, this is a county of carefully preserved heritage buildings, green spaces and, at the same time, modern commercial buildings, malls, and a wealth of entertainment and recreational opportunities.
ABOUT HENRICO COUNTY
On the map, Henrico County looks like a crescent– or a croissant, depending on who you talk to– that surrounds Richmond, the state capital. That’s because prior to 1842, Richmond was a part of Henrico County until it was granted full independence as a city. The two are still intertwined, however, as Henrico County is considered a part of the Greater Richmond area.
Henrico County covers approximately 245 sq. mi. of total area and is made up of a collection of smaller communities. It has no formal towns or municipalities because of a state law that also affects the counties of Fairfax and Arlington. Tuckahoe is its largest census-designated place in terms of population, while Laurel serves as its county seat, albeit unincorporated. Henrico County is estimated to be home to around 330,000 residents.
Once upon a time in Henrico County
Henrico County is known as one of the oldest counties in the state of Virginia, with origins that date back to the early 17th century.
In 1611, Thomas Dale –deputy-governor of the Virginia Colony– established a British settlement in the area and named it Citie of Henricus after Henry Frederick, the Prince of Wales. It didn’t last long, however, as the Powhatan confederacy destroyed the village during what would later be known as the Indian massacre of 1622. The settlement was rebuilt in 1634 as Henrico Shire, one of the Virginia Colony’s eight original shires.
Henrico continued to be a part of the Virginia Colony until the 1776 revolution, when the United States gained its independence from Britain. During the Civil War, Henrico was heavily affected by the Union’s Peninsula Campaign. After wars and battles, Henrico was eventually reconstructed and set up its county seat in modern-day Richmond’s Tobacco Row, where it remained until 1974.
Today, Henrico County is best known for three things: history, abundance of green spaces, and NASCAR. Many of the parks in the county are situated beside bodies of water like ponds, rivers, and streams.
HOMES FOR SALE IN HENRICO COUNTY, VA
In a nutshell, Henrico County real estate features a great variety of housing options that range from historic homes from the 1930s to single-family homes in different styles, shapes, and sizes. And as a testament to the outstanding quality of life the area offers, homeownership is quite high in Henrico County: nearly 63% of the homes here are owner-occupied.
Exploring homes for sale in Henrico County, VA is like taking a trip down memory lane. While a sizable portion of the local real estate comprises homes built in the 2000s, the housing market also features a respectable amount of older properties in established neighborhoods. Many homes for sale in Henrico County, VA date back to the 1940s and 1970s. Homebuyers can also find a decent collection of pre-war homes throughout the area.
Where to live in Henrico County
There are many communities that make up Henrico County, including:
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Lakeside, best known for two things: its proximity to downtown Richmond and its crowning glory: the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. The local housing stock offers a wide variety of options, from century-old Craftsman bungalows with their ornate handcrafted details to brand-new townhouses in recent developments like Lakeside Landing. Homes for sale in this part of Henrico County range from the low $200,000s to over a million or more.
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Dumbarton, located just next to Lakeside, more or less shares the same real estate make-up as its neighbor. On the market: Craftsman bungalows, split-level residences, Cape Cod-style homes, as well as ranch-style properties covered in either brick or vinyl. And because it’s only approximately five miles from downtown Richmond, residents can easily enjoy the city’s amenities.
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Mooreland Farms in Tuckahoe is a major contributor of high-end homes for sale in Henrico County, VA. After all, properties in the neighborhood have an average value of over $1.3 million. Mooreland Farms is an older, established neighborhood that dates back to the 1940s, and the residences here reflect its history. Handsome brick Colonials and Georgians on half-acre lots (or bigger) abound.
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Sleepy Hollow, also in Tuckahoe, is a neighborhood characterized by dreamy, tree-lined streets that do little to conceal single-family homes in a wide selection of architectural styles. Many of the residences in Sleepy Hollow occupy large lots, which allow for possible expansion or the creation of outdoor living spaces. Average home values in the neighborhood amount to nearly $790,000.
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Near West End is one of the best places to find an array of Colonial Revival homes for sale in Henrico County, VA. It’s among the most dominant architectural styles in the neighborhood, easily recognizable for their perfect symmetry, brick facades, and signature shuttered windows. Another popular style in Near West End is Cape Cod– these homes actually outnumber the community’s Colonial Revival homes. Regardless of the style, expect homes for sale in this part of Henrico County, VA to fetch for anywhere between $300,000 to over $4 million.
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Manakin-Sabot has a more rural character than most neighborhoods in Tuckahoe, but that may change soon as more subdivisions are being developed in the area. Despite the change, the local housing market remains attractive and sought-after, with Colonial Revival, Cape Cod, and New Traditional homes plentiful. Both houses and lots in Manakin-Sabot run on the larger side: over 2,000 sq. ft. of total livable space and 1.5-acre lots are not uncommon. It’s easy to see why average home values here hover around the $900,000s.
LIFE IN HENRICO COUNTY
Rich history, outdoor recreation, and easy access to both the countryside and downtown Richmond are just a few of the highlights of living in Henrico County.
Getting in and around
Henrico County is one of the two places in Virginia that maintains its own road system: it’s well-planned out and connects many of its communities to each other. Moreover, many of these roads lead to Richmond– a boon for those who are pursuing their careers in the city.
With several major highways– a combination of interstates, state routes, and US highways– passing through Henrico County, many residents can also easily head out to Washington, D.C. (approximately two hours north), the waterfront city of Norfolk, and the beaches of southeastern Virginia. These thoroughfares include I-64, which heads east-to-west, and I-95, which travels north-to-south.
Regional travel opportunities
Richmond International Airport is located in Sandston in eastern Henrico County and serves the rest of central Virginia.
For those who prefer to travel by train, you can hop on an Amtrak passenger train at the Staple Mills Road Station. Rail services you can access via this station include the Carolinian (New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina), the Northeast Regional (Boston to Washington, D.C.), and the long-distance Silver Star (New York City to Miami, Florida). Of these aforementioned rail services, the Carolinian runs the most routes: six times a day.
Schools
Henrico County is the home of the multi-awarded Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) district. Of the 72 public schools HCPS oversees throughout the county, 15 are recognized as National Blue Ribbon schools:
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Nuckols Farm Elementary (a two-time recipient)
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College-age residents of Henrico County also don’t need to travel far to pursue higher education. Neighboring Richmond is home to several top-rated colleges and universities, such as the Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond.
Dining
Most of Henrico County’s best restaurants and dining establishments can be found in its western side. Zorba’s, for instance, is widely recognized by both Henrico and Richmond residents as one of the best Greek restaurants in the Greater Richmond area. Many people also make the drive to Ray’s Other Place, an intimate spot near Foxhall that’s known for its cheesesteaks and Sunday brunches.
Best bread, best tomato soup, and best cevapi are just some of the accolades Bosna Restaurant has received from its crowd of patrons. They also serve a sweet Bosnian treat: hurmasica, which is a shortbread cookie drizzled in honey and lemon. On a different day (or time), indulge in something sweet and spicy at Thai Diner, a colorful strip-mall joint that serves large portions of Thai food at great prices.
Should you find yourself in eastern Henrico County, check out the must-try restaurants: Roma for authentic and family-sized Italian feasts, Canastas Chicken for comforting Peruvian food, and Backwoodz BBQ for brisket and more.
Shopping
When it comes to shopping, Henrico County has both sophisticated retail complexes and locally owned boutique shops selling one-of-a-kind specialty items.
The open-air Short Pump Town Center is one of the best places to go in Henrico County if you’re searching for big-name brands and national retailers. Aerie, Ann Taylor, Apple, Gap, L.L. Bean, J. Crew, and Sephora are just some of the businesses that have stores here. Another go-to shopping destination is Regency Mall. It’s been around since 1975 and houses a long list of brands and services.
Several strip malls and smaller shopping centers also can be found all over Henrico County, many of which host locally owned businesses.
Outdoor recreation, attractions, and entertainment
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Richmond Raceway: Opened in 1946, the Richmond Raceway is the place to be for fans of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Spring races are usually held in April, while the fall races typically fall on the second weekend of August. Superfans can purchase FanGround passes here to secure infield seats and be as close to the racetracks as possible.
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Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: Rated as one of the best gardens in the country, this 50-acre beauty in the Lakeside neighborhood has been delighting visitors since it opened in 1984. The garden is open to the public year-round for a small fee and includes 12 themed gardens. The piece de resistance, however, is the 11,000-sq. ft. glass-dome conservatory that houses a vast collection of exotic and rare plants. It’s highly recommended to visit the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden several times a year to see all of its seasonal blooms.
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Richmond Highland Games: The county’s Scottish heritage takes the center stage in this annual festival. Visitors are serenaded by bagpipe bands, and if you’re confident enough, there are Irish dance competitions to join– and win. Of course, there are also the highland games, which include everything from hammer throws and rugby to other heavy athletic competitions. The Richmond Highland Games is also child- and pet-friendly.
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Three Lakes Park and Nature Center: Just a short distance away from both the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and Richmond Raceway lies Three Lakes Park and its 6,500-sq. ft. nature center, where visitors can get their bearings before embarking on a bird-watching spree. Some of the birds you can spot here include great blue herons, American crows, pileated woodpeckers, and double-crested cormorants. Three Lakes Park is also home to a massive aquarium that lets you take a peak into the local aquatic life.
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Dorey Park and Recreation Center: Eastern Henrico County is much greener than its western counterpart, which is why it makes sense that the county’s largest park is also located here. Dorey Park covers some 400 acres and includes numerous community amenities, from sports fields and walking trails to a dog park and a recreation center.
IS YOUR NEW HOME IN HENRICO COUNTY?
The best way to learn about your real estate opportunities in Henrico County is to work with us, Christy Carroll and Nancy Garrison. Together, we make The Carroll and Garrison Team: your expert guides to dream homes for sale in Henrico County, VA. We’ve been working together since 2012 and have helped many clients fulfill their real estate goals in Henrico County and the Greater Richmond area.
Let us know how we can help you. We’ve prepared multiple channels so you can reach out to us at your convenience:
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Send us an email here and tell us all about your real estate goals
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Drop by our office at Suite 303, 7100 Forest Avenue in Richmond, VA
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Give us a call at any of these numbers: 804.307.6162 // 804.402.8280 // 804.567.9250
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