Dinwiddie is a historic community with a small-town feel
Just south of Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Virginia, is a rural, historic community. The area played a significant role in the final days of the Civil War, with the Battle of Five Forks cutting Confederate rail lines to Petersburg. Today, Dinwiddie maintains a quiet, close-knit atmosphere with farmland and scenic backgrounds. It’s the kind of place where residents tend to stick around. “I know individuals that were born in Dinwiddie, went to school in Dinwiddie, got married and had two kids and are still in Dinwiddie,” says David Patsel, Associate Broker with Napier Realtors ERA and former Dinwiddie resident. “Once you go to Dinwiddie, you don’t move out of Dinwiddie.” The area also offers lower personal property taxes than surrounding areas and reasonably priced homes on multi-acre lots. “It’s large parcels and affordable living,” Patsel says. While the community maintains a small-town feel, it has access to nearby cities like Richmond, making it a peaceful yet convenient place to live.
Homes on multi-acre lots with space to breathe
Homes in Dinwiddie usually sit on large multi-acre lots, with rolling expanses of green countryside. “There is a whole lot of elbow room between neighbors,” Patsel says. “People love the seclusion and privacy that you can still find.” Wooden fences, mature oak trees and agricultural fields are everyday sights. It’s common to buy land and build on it in Dinwiddie, and plots can range from $30,000 to $350,000 depending on their size. Cape Cods, cottages and ranch-style homes can cost about $150,000 to $660,000, while Colonial Revivals, new builds or split levels can range from about $325,000 to $700,000, depending on their size, age and condition. Home prices are lower in Dinwiddie than in surrounding areas, and the community also offers lower personal property taxes, making this an attractive option for first-time homebuyers or those looking for a more affordable lifestyle.
Outdoor activities: from battlefields to campgrounds
There’s a range of outdoor activities for Dinwiddie residents to enjoy. To learn about their community’s history, locals can head to Five Forks Battlefield, the site of the Battle of Five Forks, where Union soldiers broke through Confederate lines and cut their railway supply line to Petersburg. Today, a visitor center, signage and preserved structures educate visitors on this significant battle at the end of the Civil War. For athletic activities, the Dinwiddie Sports Complex, which opened in 2011, features fields for football, baseball, soccer and softball. From youth teams to collegiate athletes, the facility regularly hosts games and tournaments throughout the year. The nearby Virginia Motorsports Park seats over 20,000 and features a drag racing strip, BMX facility, dirtplex and autocross. To the north, Lake Chesdin is a popular spot for residents to spend a warm, sunny day. “People love being able to be close to the lake to put their boat in,” Pastel says. On the lake’s shores, Whippernock Marina & Campground also has public boat launches. “You can park your truck and go enjoy the water,” Patsel says. Plus, the campground offers spots to hunt, fish and camp, as well as a sandy beach area.
Students zoned for Dinwiddie County Public Schools
Dinwiddie is served by the Dinwiddie County Public Schools district, which earns a B from Niche. The district educates about 4,300 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. While they may attend different elementary schools, all students in the area are zoned for Dinwiddie County Middle, which gets a C-plus, and Dinwiddie High School, which gets a B-minus and offers dual enrollment with John Tyler Community College. Plus, Pastel notes that high school sports – specifically baseball and football – are incredibly popular in the community. “People take it seriously, from Little League to high school,” Patsel says.
Shopping along Route 1 and Dinwiddie dives
Along U.S. Route 1, locals will find a Food Lion grocery store, Tractor Supply Co., Family Dollar and Dollar Tree all clustered around each other. Down the road, the family-owned Route 1 Country Store is a deli and bakery selling baked goods, sandwiches and breakfast foods. From April to October, the McKenney Farmer’s Market lets residents buy local, as vendors sell homegrown produce. A few restaurants are scattered throughout the community, including Dinwiddie Diner, a Mexican restaurant, and Robinson Grill, which serves southern comfort food. More dining options occupy nearby Petersburg storefronts, including The Brickhouse Run, a popular English-style pub with hearty portions and laid-back vibes.
20 miles to Petersburg, 40 miles to Richmond
U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Interstate 85 cut through the center of Dinwiddie. The latter connects to U.S. Interstate 95 in Petersburg, about 20 miles away. Colonial Heights and Hopewell are both less than 25 miles away, and it’s a 40-mile drive north to Richmond. There’s an Amtrak station in Petersburg, and the Dinwiddie Express Bus offers limited services Monday through Friday. For air travel, Richmond International Airport is about 40 miles north.
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Adreanna DeMarino
