Richmond city
VA · Pop. 227,595 · Urban County
Richmond city is an urban county in Virginia, spanning 60 square miles with 227,595 residents at a density of 3793.3 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The median home price is $328,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.86%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 213-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.8°F and average winter lows of 30.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Henrico Doctor's Hospital - Retreat is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 213-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.86% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Henrico Doctor's Hospital - Retreat, with an emergency room, is just 1.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A poverty rate of 18.8% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- At 3793.3 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Richmond city, VA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $328k
- Property tax
- 0.86%
- Growing season
- 213 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 43.6"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Henrico Doctor's Hospital - Retreat, 1.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Richmond city: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Richmond city?
- Richmond city is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 213-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.8°F, and average winter lows of 30.1°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $328,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.86%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Henrico Doctor's Hospital - Retreat is 1.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 9 hospitals in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Richmond city by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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