Relaxed community 20 miles south of Richmond, Virginia
Once a stop along the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, Chester is now a laid-back place about 20 miles south of Richmond, Virginia. Life moves a little slower in this Chesterfield County community of about 23,000 residents, and folks like it that way. Homes on large lots sit in subdivisions where roads weave past mature trees, and residents drive at least 10 minutes to the grocery store. Chester is less than 10 miles from Pocahontas State Park and Dutch Gap Conservation Area, two sprawling outdoor spaces with hiking trails through dense forest. “In the past few years, the desirability of Chester has really increased,” says Jacquelyn Waters, Realtor with Neumann & Dunn Real Estate, who has sold numerous homes in the area. “They’ve added a lot of retail areas, especially right there in the heart of Chester, and more are coming.”
Find your new home in Chester, VA!
Life moves a little slower in Chester, and locals like it that way.
Chester embraces its long storied railroad history.
Pocahontas State Park near Chester has a boat ramp and beautiful lakes to explore.
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Homes on spacious lots
Homes in Chester are tucked back on large lots ranging from a quarter-acre to an acre. Colonial Revivals, split-level and ranch-style houses sit on quiet, secluded streets. Landscaping is often tidy, featuring mature trees and enough grassy space between neighbors to create a sense of privacy. Although many residential roads in Chester lack curbs or sidewalks, they don’t see much through-traffic, making this a safe place for family bike rides or evening walks. “For the longest time, Chester was extremely affordable, so now, even though prices have gone up, it’s still a good, desirable area for first-time homebuyers,” says Waters. “The price point remains considerably lower than other areas.” Prices range from $250,000 to $575,000, although a few subdivisions with custom builds see prices in the $800,000 to $1 million range. Waters adds that the market is competitive. “The inventory has come up slightly, but there is just too little overall for the number of buyers we have,” she says. “If the house is priced right, it’s still going to have a multiple-offer situation.”
Ranch style homes are the most common in Chester starting at the low $200,000s.
Split Level homes in Chester sit on large lots.
Colonial Revival homes in Chester sit on quiet streets with tidy lawns.
Most homes in Chester offer competitive pricing for the Richmond area.
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Something to do during every season
Chester has all four seasons. Winters are generally mild, with temperatures averaging between 30 and 50 degrees. When snow and ice occur, they usually don’t stick around for long. Spring brings moderate temperatures, usually ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and is often accompanied by rain. Summers are hot and humid, with highs in the 80s and 90s, accompanied by thunderstorms, especially during late summer afternoons. Autumn is cool and crisp, bringing vibrant foliage. Temperatures fall to the 70s in early fall and the 50s around November.
Locals can get outside at the area’s multiple outdoor spaces. Next to Ecoff Elementary School, Goyne Park spans nearly 50 acres. Youth sports leagues play on open fields, children enjoy the playground and people walk their dogs on numerous trails. The park also has an 18-hole disc golf course and a dog park. In the summer, families head to the Chester Recreational Association, where kids play in the splash pad, teens join the swim team, folks challenge each other in tennis and friends picnic at the gazebo. Pocahontas State Park is about 7 miles west of Chester and features 90 miles of trails weaving through woodlands, three lakes that allow boating and fishing, camping areas, an amphitheater that hosts a summertime concert series and more. Along the James River and just east of Chester is the nearly 800-acre Dutch Gap Conservation Area. It’s best known for its rich biodiversity, including wetlands, forests and river habitats, and features a 4.5-mile trail with views of the water and surrounding landscape. Chester also offers indoor recreation options, from knocking down pins at Holidays Bowl and movies at the Cinema Café to pickup basketball at the Chester Family YMCA and live performances at the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education.
Goyne Park in Chester has a fantastic playground, sports fields, and a dog park!
Chester locals head to Holidays Bowl for some competitive fun.
Goyne Park in Chester has the best dog park in South Richmond.
Pocahontas State Park, just 15 minutes from Chester, has more than 90 miles of trail for users of all skill levels.
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Chesterfield County Public Schools offer specialty programs
Chester is zoned for Chesterfield County Public Schools, a district that receives a B-plus from Niche. Many of the county’s high schools have specialty programs. Students can apply to a school they aren’t zoned for during the fall of their eighth-grade year and, if admitted, receive an education with a special focus in one area, like math and science or leadership, in addition to their regular coursework. Students can also apply to the city of Richmond’s Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology or Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies. Brightpoint Community College is also in Chester. It offers over 80 majors and has guaranteed admissions agreements with over 35 colleges.
C.E. Curtis Elementary, the home of the Koala's in Chester.
Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School is available for Chester students to attend.
Students in Chester can apply to Richmond’s Appomattox Regional Governor’s School.
The campus of Brightpoint Community College is right in Chester and offers 80 majors.
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Commerce along Route 1 and major employers
“You don’t really have to leave Chester for anything,” Waters says. U.S. Route 1 is the area’s main commercial corridor and is lined with big-box stores, restaurants and services. At the Breckinridge Shopping Center, there’s a Kroger grocery store, Ulta Beauty, PetSmart and more. On the other side of the street, locals will find Target, Hobby Lobby and other big-box stores and fast-casual restaurants. Along West Hundred Road, Chester Village is Chester’s take on a modern mixed-use facility, with contemporary apartments atop shops and restaurants, sidewalks and small, pedestrian-friendly green spaces. Here, people can shop at the local boutique She Chester, dine at Don Papa Grande Mexican Restaurant and other eateries or spend an afternoon at the Chester Library.
Some of the area’s largest employers include the Chesterfield County School Board, Chester-based Amazon Fulfillment Services and the County of Chesterfield, each with over 1,000 employees. The healthcare sector is also prominent, with HCA Virginia Health System and Bon Secours among the top employers. In the manufacturing and logistics sector, DuPont and UPS employ many Chester residents.
With a Kroger, Target, and Walmart close by, your grocery needs are easily met in Chester!
The Kroger Market on US 1 is in the middle of the commercial corridor in Chester.
Live your life in Chester in style, with a locally owned coffee shop just steps away from your future apartment or condo!
A major employer with over 1,000 employees in Chester is the Amazon Fulfillment Services.
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What’s happening at the Chester Village Green
Across from the library, The Chester Village Green hosts small events throughout the year. Every Saturday from May to September, vendors sell fresh produce, artisan goods and prepared foods at the Chester Farmers Market. When the leaves start to change, the ChesterFest fall festival at Falling Creek Middle School brings all kinds of seasonal fun, from apple cider donuts to blow-up obstacle courses for kids.
Getting around Chester
While many people move to Chester for a sense of seclusion, it has access to many major roadways that lead throughout the Richmond area. Virginia State route 288 runs along the western part of the community, leading through Midlothian, about 21 miles northwest, and into Short Pump, about 35 miles northwest. U.S. route 1 also runs through Chester and connects with U.S. route 301, which leads to downtown Richmond, about 15 miles north. The Greater Richmond Transit bus runs along Route 1. To leave Chester and travel elsewhere, the Richmond International Airport is about 17 miles northeast.
From Chester, Route 1 turns into Route 301 which will take your directly into Richmond.
Both Route 288 and Interstate 95 are easily accessible from Chester.
Chester has easy access to Route 288 and I95.
The GRTC has easy access from Chester to the greater Richmond area.
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Crime
In 2023, there were approximately 138 violent crimes per 100,000 residents and 1,196 property crimes per 100,000 residents in Chesterfield County. These numbers are lower than the national average of 364 violent crimes per 100,000 residents and 1,917 property crimes per 100,000 residents.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
