Best Suburbs of Richmond, Virginia

Virginia’s capital is home to hundreds of years of rich history, yet there’s always something new percolating in Richmond. It’s a hub for creativity, and entrepreneurs, especially within the IT sector, are flocking here, joining large, established corporations, including a number of financial institutions. Richmond is also a great place to kick back and retire or even buy your first home. If you are enamored with this urban gem called Richmond, but prefer something less congested, check out its 10 best suburbs.

10. Glen Allen

• Population: 14,774
• Median Home Value: $235,100
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 23 minutes
• School Ranking: A-
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,746
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 210

About a 20-minute drive northwest of Richmond is Glen Allen. Hospitality flourishes in this serene suburb, which is known for being community-oriented and family friendly. It doesn’t get any better than this. Discover your new home in Glen Allen!

9. Mechanicsville

• Population: 36,348
• Median Home Value: $237,500
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 24 minutes
• School Ranking: A-
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,916
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 230

Located about 15 minutes northeast of Richmond, Mechanicsville is the site of the Beaver Dam Creek battlefield from the Civil War. The town offers a number of dining options, including local spots, Carter’s Pigpen Bar-B-Que and Franco’s Italian Restaurant. Your new home is waiting for you!

8. Tuckahoe

• Population: 44,990
• Median Home Value: $301,100
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 21 minutes
• School Ranking: A-
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:  1,515
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 182

Hugging the James River about 20 minutes northwest of Richmond is Tuckahoe, where history buffs can visit the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson, which is preserved as a National Historic Landmark. In addition, the University of Richmond is nearby, and the community is home to several parks and golf courses. 

7. Woodlake

• Population: 7,319
• Median Home Value: $271,800
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 33 minutes
• School Ranking: A
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,238
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 149

Woodlake is tucked away next to the Swift Creek Reservoir, about 30 minutes southwest of Richmond. With only 7,300 residents, this is a peaceful community — one that is ideal for raising a family, as the excellent schools indicate. Your new home could be just around the bend.   

6. Brandermill

• Population: 13,173
• Median Home Value: $248,300
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 26 minutes
• School Ranking: A
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,523
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 183

Across the Swift Creek Reservoir from Woodlake is the small town of Brandermill, which is home to 80 distinctive neighborhoods featuring different architectural styles. With the reservoir nearby, water activities like fishing and boating abound, so why look any further?

5. Bon Air

• Population: 16,366
• Median Home Value: $228,600
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 24 minutes
• School Ranking: A
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,843
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 221

In Bon Air, you will find master planned communities and plentiful dining options. Its claim to fame is that Bon Air Elementary was the inspiration for the popular series of children’s books, The Kids of the Polk Street School, by Patricia Reilly Giff. Much of the central part of Bon Air is designated a National Historic District, and as you stroll past the Victorian homes from the late 19th century, you may feel like you are stepping back in time. Come find your new home today!

4. Innsbrook

• Population: 7,753
• Median Home Value: $355,600
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 19 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,129
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 135

Innsbrook, about 16 miles northwest of Richmond, is a peaceful residential community. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll never tire of exploring the adjoining 37 acres of lakes and parks where you can view all types of wildlife. It’s highly probable you will find a perfect home here!

3. Wakefield

• Population: 11,275
• Median Home Value: $627,400
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 32 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 635
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 76

Located about an hour southeast of Richmond is the small town of Wakefield. It’s on U.S. Route 460 in Sussex County, which means if you have the urge to experience Virginia Beach on the weekend, it’s only about a 60-mile trip. So whether you’re headed to work in downtown Richmond or to the Atlantic Ocean for surf and sun, either destination is only an hour or so away. 

2. Wyndham

• Population: 9,785
• Median Home Value: $494,000
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 28 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 635
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 76

Upscale Wyndham is about 20 miles northwest of the metro area. Spend your Saturdays leisurely visiting local bookstores, antiques shops and picking up fresh produce at the farmer’s market.  

1. Short Pump

• Population: 24,729
• Median Home Value: $403,100
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 22 minutes
• School Ranking: A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 914
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 110

The affluent community of Short Pump is just a 20-minute commute to Richmond. A historic crossroads, Short Pump is now a premier shopping destination, courtesy of the Short Pump Town Center. If you desire a slower paced life, but don’t want to wander too far from Richmond, you can have the best of both worlds in Short Pump. Come see for yourself why this suburb is so highly rated. 

Additional Suburbs

Suburb	Pop.	Median Home Value	Mean Travel to Work	School Rank	Property Crimes	Violent Crimes
Manchester	10,804	$166,300	26 minutes	A-	1,988	239
Ashland	7,840	$180,600	20 minutes	B+	199	37
Colonial Heights	17,833	$168,000	24 minutes	B+	676	50
Chester	20,987	$215,200	24 minutes	B+	2,064	248
Rockwood	8,431	$204,400	25 minutes	B+	1,587	190
Laurel	16,713	$179,300	21 minutes	B	2,155	259
Lakeside	11,849	$178,300	20 minutes	B	2,024	243
Dumbarton	7,879	$164,800	24 minutes	B	2,075	249
Ettrick	6,682	$134,700	22 minutes	B	2,067	248
Bellwood	6,352	$138,900	27 minutes	B	1,993	239
Hopewell	22,596	$119,700	25 minutes	B-	553	99
Chamberlayne	5,456	$218,100	21 minutes	B-	1,439	173
Meadowbrook	18,312	$184,100	26 minutes	C+	2,166	260
Sandston	7,571	$131,500	26 minutes	C+	1,905	229
Bensley	5,819	$137,800	27 minutes	C+	2,043	245
East Highland Park	14,796	$148,500	24 minutes	C	2,030	244
Highland Springs	15,711	$136,900	24 minutes	C	2,404	289
Montrose	7,993	$118,900	21 minutes	C	2,177	261
Petersburg	31,567	$108,200	21 minutes	D	916	224

NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.