Emporia is a resilient city on the rise in Southside Virginia
Anchored by the intersection of Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 58, Emporia is the first city that drivers pass through after crossing the North Carolina state line into Virginia. The Greensville County community serves as a commercial hub for Southside Virginia. “I sell a lot of homes in Emporia, and one of the main reasons people buy there is that the prices are more accessible,” says Rhonda Gay , a Realtor with EXP Realty, who’s lived in the region since the 1990s. The median home price here is lower than in the Tri-Cities of Petersburg , Colonial Heights and Hopewell . “Dominion Power is there. There’s Rosie's Casino, and it has Interstate 95, which is a good draw for commuting,” Gay adds.
Emporia has several large employers, including Bon Secours–Southern Virginia Medical Center. However, in May 2025, the city lost its top employer, Georgia Pacific Wood Products, leaving hundreds of residents without work. The plywood plant closure comes amid a period of revitalization, as city leaders, private investors and grassroots organizations work to strengthen the economy and the community.
A range of single-family homes on city streets and country roads
The median price for a single-family home in Emporia is around $240,000, a little over half the national median. Most homes fall between $70,000 and $370,000. The city offers diverse architecture from small Craftsman bungalows, English cottages and Cape Cods to larger American Foursquares, Victorians and Colonial Revivals. These homes typically sit on lots of well under an acre. The surrounding countryside features ranch-style homes and farmhouses on larger lots away from city lights. Potential buyers should note that Emporia can experience hurricanes, flooding and sweltering summer heat.
Shopping and dining options north and south of the Meherrin River
The Meherrin River flows through downtown Emporia, dividing this up-and-coming city in half. South of the river, historic brick facades are being restored and reimagined along Main Street, which features locally owned boutiques and restaurants. The retro Logan’s Diner is a regulars’ haunt for American fare. A few doors down, Southern comfort food is on the menu at The Bank: Inspired by Lucy and Linda, a restaurant inside a former bank. The Greek Revival Greensville County Courthouse has stood tall over this stretch since 1781. North of the river, national retailers fill various shopping centers between Main Street and Interstate 95. Food Lion and several small markets offer groceries. Locally grown produce and homemade goods are available at the Emporia Farmers Market, which is held on Saturday mornings from May through October, and on Wednesday evenings from June through September.
Parks in Emporia mix family fun with sports and nature
Emporia’s parks range from the community-oriented Veterans Memorial Park, which offers open green space for events, a picnic shelter and a playground, to the sports-focused Meherrin River Park, where five baseball fields are hugged by the curving banks of the Meherrin River. The waterside park, which connects to Veterans Memorial Park via a walking trail, also offers a boat ramp. Anglers can reel in many species of fish, including shad, bass, crappie and bluegill. The recently renovated Family YMCA of Emporia-Greensville features a gym and a new aquatics center. Outside of the city, Emporia Country Club offers a private 18-hole golf course.
The Emporia-Greensville Recreation Association cares for many of the city’s green spaces and operates sports leagues for youth and adults. The city does not have its own public recreation programs, so the primarily volunteer-run organization is filling a gap.
Family-friendly fun at the Virginia Peanut Festival
For more than 60 years, Emporia has been the host of the annual Virginia Peanut Festival. Held at Veterans Memorial Park along Main Street in late September, the four-day festival celebrates the region’s peanut farming history and the beloved Virginia Peanut, which is enjoyed by the bag at ballparks across the United States. In addition to live music, food and vendors, the festival features a parade, pageant, car show and carnival rides.
Three public schools serve Emporia
Greensville County Public Schools earns a C-minus overall rating from Niche. The district has about 2,000 students and three schools. Greensville Elementary receives a C-minus, and its campus is home to the Emporia Greensville Performing Arts Center. Edward W. Wyatt Middle gets a C-minus and Greensville County High earns a C-plus. Southside Virginia Community College is about 5 miles from the city center.
Interstate 95 connects commuters to Richmond and Raleigh
Emporia commuters have access to Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 58. Newcomers should be aware that the city has a longstanding reputation among Virginia drivers for being a speed trap. “If you want a speeding ticket, you go on 58,” Gay says. The North Carolina state line is less than 15 miles south of the city center. Richmond , Virginia’s capital city, is about 65 miles north, while Raleigh , North Carolina’s capital city, is about 105 miles south. Both cities offer commercial flights out of Richmond International and Raleigh-Durham International airports. Walking and biking are common ways to get around the city, with Greensville Emporia Transit providing bus rides Monday through Friday.
