Known for its connection to the Civil War, Dinwiddie County has come a long way in the past 180 years. Yet it still offers a glimpse of history while looking to the future. The area is anchored by several well-established Baptist denominations. Homes tend to occupy spacious lots amid a rural landscape. Pamplin Historical Park, home to the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, is now located in the shadow of Interstate 85, a reality that illustrates the county’s dual identity. With Interstate 95 looming in neighboring Petersburg, and Richmond located 40 miles directly north, the county is transforming itself with a growing logistics sector. “It’s moving on up,” says Monica Sober, a Realtor with Hometown Realty in neighboring Chesterfield and a former county resident. “You’ve got the Amazon distribution facility and the Walmart distribution facility out there, and they are even building a Sheetz off Route 460. It’s growing, but it’s still country. It’s a big community with a lot of close family and friends.”
Housing prices steadily increasing
Prices are rising slowly but surely as more of the county’s available land is developed. New construction is concentrated in the northeast part of the county close to the amenities of Petersburg. The median single-family home price is about $300,000 and steadily increasing. The amenities-filled Lake Jordan neighborhood features a collection of the county’s newer homes, which tend to be Colonial Revival-style multilevel dwellings offering more interior room than the established three-bedroom ranch-style homes common throughout the county. However, while newer homes can be found in more typical neighborhood settings, many established homes offer appealing acreage. “That still attracts people who are looking for a rural community,” Sober says. Renovated farmhouses, cape cods and contemporary custom designs also can be found among housing that typically ranges from the low $200,000s to the mid-$400,000s.
County school district includes several B-rated schools
Dinwiddie County Public Schools serves approximately 4,400 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The division includes five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Dinwiddie, Midway, Southside, Sunnyside and Sutherland elementary schools are all rated between B-plus and B-minus by Niche. Dinwiddie County Middle is a C-plus-rated school, and Dinwiddie High is rated B-minus. The high school, which occupies modern facilities that opened in 2008, has won two state championships in football and one in creative writing. An annual Fine Arts Festival began in 2023. Richard Bland College, a two-year institution affiliated with William & Mary, is located in Petersburg.
Dinwiddie Sports Complex draws athletes and fans
Sports tourism is a consistent source of revenue for the county thanks to the Dinwiddie Sports Complex, a sprawling multi-use facility that opened in 2011. Featuring state-of-the-art fields for football, soccer, baseball and softball, the complex regularly hosts local, state and regional events, from youth competitions to NCAA games. Virginia Motorsports Park is a drag-racing strip that has been a staple of county entertainment since 1994. A nearby BMX course provides adventure for local motorcyclists. Eastside Community Enhancement Center and Robert and Betty Ragsdale Community Center offer classes, programs and events for children, adults and seniors.
Outdoor lovers have plenty of options in the county. Anglers can fish the Nottoway River, Lake Chesdin and the Appomattox River. Lake Chesdin extends outside the county and encompasses 3,100 acres. Whippernock Marina & Campground provides boaters with easy access. Nature lovers can enjoy the John J. Radcliff Conservation Area along the Appomattox River, which is home to a popular trail system in Petersburg.
From country markets to renowned urban eateries
U.S. Route 460 and U.S. Route 1 are the county’s primary commercial corridors. Route 1 is the busier of the two, with more dining options concentrated on and around it. Route 1 Country Store, run by Mennonite Church members, is a popular deli and bakery. Dinwiddie Diner, which is actually a Mexican restaurant, and Joe’s Steak and Seafood are other featured stops. Residents also have access to eateries in Downtown Petersburg, including Croaker’s Spot, a soul food stop featured on “America’s Best Restaurants.” Residents can stock up on essentials at Food Lion, conveniently located along Route 1. The Southpark Mall just north of Petersburg features a Target and a Walmart Supercenter.
Major roadways provide access to local, regional travel
Car travel is necessary for most residents. Dinwiddie is crisscrossed by dozens of state routes that connect different pockets of the county, and it is bisected by U.S. Route 1, U.S. Route 460 and Interstate 85. In addition, Interstate 95 is accessible nearby in Petersburg. “Usually, when people move to the country, they want to be close to the interstates,” Sober says. There’s also an Amtrak station in Petersburg, and the Dinwiddie Express Bus provides limited public transportation Monday through Friday. The fare is 50 cents per ride. Dinwiddie Airport is a regional facility serving the surrounding Tri-Cities area. Richmond International Airport is located about 40 miles north.
New app helps residents communicate with sheriff’s office
Despite a spike at the end of 2023, the Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office has reported property crime rates lower than state and national figures since 2021. However, violent crime rates have fluctuated within the same period. In January 2024, the Dinwiddie County Sheriff’s Office launched an app designed to help residents receive pertinent information from authorities and submit anonymous tips.
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