Local Information
Schools, Colleges
Students in public school districts consistently score above 90 percent proficiency in English across the board. West Point Public Schools students scored highest with 100 in English and 98 in mathematics for 2015-2016. Other districts with schools who scored above 90 percent in both areas include Winchester City Public Schools, Falls Church City Public Schools, Rockingham County Public Schools and Bath County Public Schools.
The College of William and Mary is the nation’s second-oldest institution of higher learning and the cradle of the nation’s first law school. Liberty University is the largest in Virginia with more than 56,500 students.
Economy
Types of Businesses
Key industries in Virginia are aerospace, automotive, corporate headquarters, cyber-security, data centers, distribution, energy, food processing, internet technology, life sciences and plastics and advanced materials.
Economic Growth
Median income for 2014 was $64,902, slightly lower than in 2011. Stable taxes, a highly educated workforce and extensive transportation infrastructure of international airports, railroads, ports and major highways pave the way for continuing job growth. Military and government agencies and the businesses that support them provide jobs and infusions of dollars into local and surrounding economies. Population growth projected to reach two million by the year 2020 is already in residence.
Hospitals
According to U.S. News World Report, top hospitals in Virginia for 2016-2017 include:
- University of Virginia Medical Center at Charlottesville
- Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
- Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center at Richmond
Taxes
Commonwealth of Virginia real estate tax rate is $1.130 per $100 of assessed value, and general sales tax is 4.3 percent. Virginia’s homestead exemption is a paltry $5,000 compared to states like Ohio and Florida with $25,000 plus for all residents. City of Fairfax real estate property tax rates are $1.062 per $100. Arlington’s rate is $0.9996, and Prince William County is $1.181.
Crime Rates
Reports filed by local law enforcement or city agencies to the Federal Bureau of Investigation show property crime incidents for these Virginia cities:
- Chesterfield County Police Department, 11,594
- City of Alexandria, 4,960
- City of Norfolk, 14,392
- City of Falls Church, 381
- City of Richmond, 13,800
Popular Neighborhoods
Located in northernmost Virginia, Stone Ridge in Aldie is a new, mixed-use development with about 7,500 residents in Loudoun County, the country’s richest county. Cost of living is high being so conveniently located to Washington Dulles International Airport, but good schools, extensive community amenities and close proximity to neighboring states make this a popular neighborhood.McNair, Franklin Farm and Merrifield are located in Fairfax County, the largest. Shopping, restaurants, schools and close to Washington D.C., Reston and Vienna, be prepared to spend upwards of $500,000 for a home here.
Haymarket and Gainesville are located in Prince William County, the least expensive. Afforable, family-friendly and more remote from metro areas make these neighborhoods ideal for first-time buyers and growing or downsizing households.
Culture, Lifestyle
Swim, camp, hike, bike, golf, access local waterways, attend festivals and events, explore historic Civil War battlefields and homes or botanical gardens and nature centers at more than 31 regional parks like:
- Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
- Bull Run Occoquan Trail
- Pohick Bay
- Seneca Regional Park
- Carlyle House Historic Park
- Rust Sanctuary
- Blue Ridge Regional Park
- Gateway Regional Park
Other cultural activities in Virginia include Harrison Opera House, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, and Chrysler Museum of Art.