Welcome to Richmond
From our amazing history to our diverse culture and bustling economy, one thing is for sure – you’ll love where you live
Virginia’s capital Richmond is a vibrant, beautiful city. Museums, theatres, the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University, and the winding James River make up a small sum of the things to do, see, and experience in Richmond. RVA’s past, present and future is the story of creativity in action. Today, it’s home to some of the nation‘s most innovative individuals, businesses, organizations and neighborhoods. We have the nation’s leading graduate programs in advertising and fine arts.
Every organ transplant in the country is processed through UNOS, headquartered in the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park, which runs the nation’s transplant system, matching organs from deceased donors to those on the national waiting list. Architects, engineers and developers have transformed thousands of old buildings into chic spaces to live, work and play – making Richmond one of the largest beneficiaries of historic tax credits in the country.
Richmond City Information
Capital of Virginia
Land Area: 60.1 sq. miles
Nearby parks: James River Park and Pocahontas State Park
Number of radio stations: 8 AM; 9 FM
Number of television stations: 8
Live RVA
A wide variety of housing types and styles are available in urban, suburban, and rural locations. Choices include downtown apartments in renovated warehouses, historic townhouses, golf course and waterfront communities,
and farms.
Some of the area’s unique neighborhoods include:
- Church Hill, one of the best preserved 19th Century neighborhoods in the country.
- Jackson Ward, one of the nation’s oldest intact African-American neighborhoods.
- Grayson Hill, a luxury townhome community, won four national honors in the Best of 50+ Housing Awards.
- Monument Avenue, the only street in the U.S. that is a National Historic Landmark.
- Brandermill, named the Best Planned Community in America by Better Homes and Gardens and the National
Association of Home Builders. - Rutland, a mixed-use neighborhood, honored with a 2013 ULI Vision Award.
State Taxes
Corporate income tax – 6%; has not changed since 1972.
Individual income tax – 2% on the first $3,000; 3% on the next $2,000; 5% on the next $12,000; 5.75% over $17,000.
Sales and use tax – 5.3% (4.3% state and 1.0% local); the eighth lowest rate in the nation. Broad sales tax exemptions for business include all purchases used directly in production; gas, electricity, or water delivered through mains, lines, or pipes; and custom computer software.
Local Taxes
Tangible personal property tax rates vary by locality and type of property.
Tangible personal property includes motor vehicles; machinery and equipment; and office equipment, furniture, and fixtures.
Exempt items include computer application software; furniture and fixtures and corporate aircraft of manufacturing, mining, and certain other businesses; manufacturers’ inventory; and merchandise in a foreign trade zone.
Localities may exempt certain kinds of property or tax it at a lower rate.
Localities also may impose the Consumer Utility Tax on utility bills and either
a Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) Tax
Learn RVA
Elementary & Secondary Education
Each locality in the Richmond Region has its own public school system and provides a full range of career prep,
college prep, and honors/advanced placement classes. Six vocational/technical centers offer trade and industry classes and apprenticeship training. More than 152,600 students are enrolled in the four systems. In addition to magnet and specialty programs in each locality, Greater Richmond’s gifted students are eligible for accelerated programs at the regional Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for Arts and Technology, and L.C.Bird High School Governor’s Career and Technical Academy for Engineering Studies. The regional Math Science Innovation Center provides special facilities and classes in science, math, and technology that would not be feasible for individual school systems. Virginia has adopted education reform called Standards of Learning (SOLs). The program sets measurable academic standards on a statewide basis. Students are tested in English, math, science, and history in the third, fifth, and eighth grades and in high school.
College Education
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral Research University Extensive. One of the largest universities in Virginia, it features over $260 million in externally funded research each year, ranking among the top 200 universities in the country in sponsored research. Nearly 32,000 students in more than 220 degree and certificate programs, with 65 of the programs unique in Virginia. A unique Master’s degree program in advertising taught in an ad agency environment. Innovative collaboration between the Schools of Business and Engineering. VCU Medical Center, one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. Nationally-recognized School of the Arts, with strong programs in Sculpture, Graphic Arts, and Multimedia/ Visual Communications. Top-100 Global University, with international partnerships for collaborative research and exchanges. University of Richmond ranked one of the best liberal arts universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, is the area’s largest private university and includes: Jepson School of Leadership Studies, the nation’s first undergraduate school of leadership studies. Robins School of Business, and a unique combination of undergraduate and graduate programs through its schools of arts and sciences, business, leadership studies, law, and continuing studies.
Greater Richmond’s four-year institutions also include: Randolph-Macon College, an undergraduate, coeducational college of the liberal arts located in the town of Ashland in Hanover County. Virginia State University, one of Virginia’s two land-grant institutions, with a 236-acre main campus and 416-acre agricultural research facility at Randolph Farm Virginia Union University, a private coeducational, liberal arts institution founded in 1865 to provide a quality education to young African Americans.
Play RVA
Activities and Events
The Richmond Region offers the cultural and recreational opportunities of a large city with minimal traffic congestion and an average 25-minute commute. Atlantic beaches, the Blue Ridge mountain ski slopes, and Washington D.C.’s cultural amenities are all within a two-hour drive.
Sports & Recreation:
- Richmond Flying Squirrels, AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants
- Richmond Kickers (USL)
- Washington Redskins training camp
- NASCAR auto racing
- Class I through IV urban white water rafting and kayaking
- Richmond Marathon and Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K
- 28 public golf courses
- Pocahontas State Park and local parks
- Kings Dominion and nearby Busch Gardens theme parks
- NCAA spectator sports including VCU and UR basketball and football
Museums & Galleries:
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Science Museum of Virginia
- Virginia Historical Society
- Virginia Holocaust Museum
- Virginia Aviation Museum
- Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
- Black History Museum & Cultural Center
- Edgar Allan Poe Museum
- White House and Museum of the Confederacy
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
- Children’s Museum of Richmond
- Visual Arts Center of Richmond
- Valentine Richmond History Center
- First Fridays Art Walk
Performing Arts Organizations:
- Richmond Symphony
- Richmond Ballet
- Virginia Opera
- Lyric Opera Virginia
- Barksdale Theater
- Broadway touring productions
- University productions
- Richmond CenterStage
Parks in RVA
The James River Park system has everything from kayaking and rafting to picnic spots and hidden spots to enjoy a picnic and read a book. Forest Hill Park has running creeks and a farmers market every Saturday morning. Hadad’s Lake is a throwback to mid-century adventure parks with rope swings and slides. Huguenot Park and Pocahontas State Park are perfect for calm walks and Pony Pasture is popular for running and taking a dip in the river. And for those who love history, look no further than Richmond National Battlefield Park and Maggie Walker National Historic Site
