A town made for commuters and health care workers
Fishersville is a mix of health care facilities, residential communities and rolling green hills. The town was established in Augusta County around 1738, and some of its earliest structures still stand, including the Tinkling Spring Presbyterian church, founded in 1748. Fishersville started as a farming town, and there are still farms and vineyards around, but the town is known for its access to larger cities and health care. “The biggest draw is Augusta Health, and it's a major fixture in town,” says Lesley Gleason, associate broker for Virginia Mountain to Valley Living, who has helped many people move into Fishersville and surrounding areas. “It’s an award-winning facility in the area, and it employs a lot of people. Gooseneck Creek is a neighborhood across from Augusta Health. It’s a lot of condo buildings that house professionals who work at the hospital and don’t want to travel.” The Augusta Health campus has emergency, surgical and routine health service buildings with over 2,375 employees and a teaching clinic to train new physicians.
Anyone who doesn’t work for the hospital can easily commute to larger cities nearby. “Fishersville is a bedroom community halfway between Waynesboro and Staunton,” says Realtor Stephan Gleason, the other half of the Virginia Mountain to Valley Living duo team. “It’s grown a lot because about 30 years ago, some neighborhoods didn’t exist at all.”
Established homes and new construction
“Fishersville's proximity to Interstate 64 makes it a big crossroads,” Lesley says. “It’s easy to get on and off the interstate. People can get more house for their money in Fishersville than in Charlottesville, so they drive a little bit for work but still get that ‘country life.’” Fishersville’s median home price is roughly $448,000, slightly higher than the national median. Many homes were built in the 1980s to early 2000s, like those in the popular Teaverton, Wyndham Hills and Emerald Hill neighborhoods. There are brand-new single-family homes built as recently as 2024 in areas like Windward Pointe.
Most properties have large yards and plenty of space between neighbors. “The property tax rate in Augusta County is 52 cents [per $100 of assessed value], but it’s about 89 cents in Staunton and Waynesboro, so there are significant tax advantages to living in Fishersville,” Stephan says.
Rehabilitation buildings turned into schools
The town has a long history of being a hub of health care. The Woodrow Wilson General Hospital was built during World War II and named after the 28th president, who was born in nearby Staunton. The site later became the first state-owned rehabilitation facility in the nation. Part of the rehab center was divided and turned into instructional spaces that are used by Augusta County Public Schools. The district earns a B from Niche. Fishersville’s elementary, middle and high school and the Valley Career and Technical Center are close together. VCTC is currently unrated by Niche and offers high schoolers the chance to graduate with certifications in fields like nursing and education.
Driving to Staunton or Waynesboro to shop and dine out
Locally owned restaurants, breweries and coffee shops line U.S. Route 250, and a small shopping center off the road has a Food Lion and Dollar Tree. Most residents use Route 250 to drive 5 miles to Waynesboro or 10 miles to Staunton. “You have a lot of fantastic downtown shopping in Staunton, and people go there for art galleries and the Wayne Theatre. Waynesboro has more name-brand stores, especially in Waynesboro Town Center.” Interstate 64 leads farther to Charlottesville, 30 miles east.
Brite buses run routes to Staunton, Waynesboro and Stuarts Draft. Fishersville experienced flash flooding during Hurricane Helene that affected roads and homes, though this was a unique situation. The weather is usually hot and humid during the summer, and winters are mild.
Getting some exercise at the August recreation center
The Augusta County Recreation Center is the only park in town and is across the street from the town’s schools, so kids can play baseball or soccer after school. Augusta Health runs August Health Fitness, where paying members can work out on gym equipment or attend instructor-led classes.
Augusta County Sheriff’s Office responds to calls throughout Fishersville, and the Preston L. Yancey Fire Company is stationed in town. The sheriff’s office reported a 4 percent decrease in reported crimes between 2022 and 2023, according to an annual report released by the department.
Augusta Expo draws craft enthusiasts
The Augusta Expo hosts a rotating schedule of events, including the Fall Arts & Craft Show in November and the Spring Crafts & More in March. Every July, the community gathers for the Augusta County Fair to support local vendors, see livestock shows and enjoy carnival rides.
Photography Contributed By
Anna Cheng
