Fredericksburg is known as a city "where history never gets old." Established in 1728, the town is appealing for its commuter access to the bustling Interstate 95, numerous waterfront parks along the churning Rappahannock River, and well-preserved areas like its historic downtown and the Fredericksburg Battlefield, once a major Civil War flashpoint. "It's an appealing locale for commuters to northern Virginia and D.C., as well as the military bases, which are nearby," says Justin Brown, a Fredericksburg local and Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. "There's also lower [home] cost and lower taxes than in, say, Alexandria or D.C." According to the Census, Fredericksburg's population grew from a little over 24,000 in 2010 to just under 29,000 by 2020, an 18.1% increase. It has a reputation as a commuter city, as it's the midpoint between D.C. to the north and Richmond to the south.
Downtown Fredericksburg features murals on the sides of buildings on Caroline Street.
Kayak along the Rappahannock River next to Downtown Fredericksburg.
Fredericksburg is full of Civil War history.
There are many new complexes with contemporary builds in Fredericksburg.
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Midway between D.C. and Richmond
Commuters settle down in Fredericksburg for the lower cost of living and can travel in either direction for work along I-95. Washington, D.C., is a 52-mile drive north, which usually takes a little over an hour, while Richmond is about 60 miles south and generally takes around the same amount of time. Buyers should know that I-95 is notorious for congestion during rush hour. A train station on Princess Anne Street is a stop for Amtrak trains and the Virginia Railway Express, a regional passenger train. The Fredericksburg VRE line runs from Spotsylvania to the south, up to Union Station in Washington.
Drive south an hour to get to Richmond, VA.
Fredericksburg is an hour south of Washington DC.
Fredericksburg residents can hop on the Amtrak to nearby towns.
Fredericksburg sits along Interstate 95.
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Townhouses and single-family properties from across the 20th century
Most Fredericksburg residents are between 18 and 65, and many have a 30-minute work commute outside of town. Townhouses are typically midcentury builds and found in areas including Downtown Fredericksburg and Braehead. Smaller, two- to three-bedroom townhouses can start at around $350,000, while those with four stories and five or more bedrooms can cost as much as $1 million. Single-family home prices range from around $350,000 to $1.3 million. On the lower end, buyers can find rambler, bi-level and bungalow styles built between the 1980s and the early aughts. Those that reach prices above $1 million are typically century-old colonial styles or large, brand-new Craftsman and Traditional-style homes in neighborhoods like Riverside.
Fredericksburg has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons and humid Virginia summers, tame winters, and an average of 16 inches of snowfall a year. Potential homebuyers should be aware that the city's proximity to the Rappahannock River makes it prone to flooding. Many residents purchase flood insurance for their homes, and the city abides by Virginia's Floodplain Management Program, which sets zoning regulations for homes in the Commonwealth to protect communities from natural disasters.
Mid-century townhouses are are popular option in Fredericksburg.
Homes are nestled amongst large oak trees in downtown Fredericksburg.
You'll find a wide range of homes throughout Fredericksburg.
City Dock Park in Fredericksburg offers docks for visitors to fish and launch kayaks from.
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City schools and the University of Mary Washington
Niche gives Fredericksburg City Public Schools a C-plus grade overall and ranks it as the No. 6 most diverse district in the state, with five schools and a student body of over 3,500 learners. Twelve Advanced Placement and seven Dual Enrollment courses prepare high schoolers to attend nearby colleges like Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University and the University of Mary Washington. The city is home to the University of Mary Washington, a public university founded in 1908. As of Fall 2023, the student body is around 3,600, and the school employs 1,600 people. Mary Washington Hospital anchors the university's medical school and is walkable from campus thanks to a raised overpass.
VCU is located in Richmond, an hour away from Fredericksburg.
JMU is located in Harrisonburg, VA, about two hours from Fredericksburg.
Fredericksburg is the home of the University of Mary Washington.
Lafayette Elementary is one of many public schools in Fredericksburg.
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Neighborhood parks and Rappahannock River activities
The city is bordered to the east by the Rappahannock River, the longest free-flowing river in the Eastern United States. Stretching from the Chesapeake Bay to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the river provides locals with ample opportunities for rest and recreation. "A lot of people float down the river, [it's got] lots of good parks and trails, good for running and walking," says Brown. "There's a dog park, opportunities for tours, fishing, swimming, kayaking, you name it." Old Mill Park sits on the waterfront and has soccer fields and a swimming beach for parkgoers to take a dip on a hot day.
Neighborhood parks like Alum Spring Park and Cobblestone Park offer shade trees and walking paths. Both parks are connected to the Virginia Central Railway Trail, which stretches almost three miles south of Fredericksburg. Another is Cossey Botanical Park, known for its stocked pond of catfish and trout and its botanical garden, which the Virginia Cooperative Extension uses to host educational programs about plants and local wildlife. The city prioritizes its connection to American history, and tourism expenditures brought in around $151 million in 2023. One of the largest and bloodiest battles of the Civil War occurred in Fredericksburg in 1862. The battlefield is a tourist hot spot, with markers and trails along multiple acres of fields and streets detailing important moments.
Take in the beauty of the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg through your lens.
Locals love to float down the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg.
Alum Spring Park is a popular spot for locals in Fredericksburg.
Learn about one of the bloodiest battles in US history at Stafford Civil War Park.
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Downtown local dining anchored by Caroline Street
Fredericksburg has a downtown area that fosters a small-town vibe amid a handful of retail strips, offering several places for residents to go for a sit-down meal on a Friday night. Most downtown restaurants are locally owned and concentrated along Caroline Street, ranging from fast casual to upscale. For errands, there's Eagle Village beside the University of Mary Washington, which has supermarkets and some franchise restaurants.
Orofino in Downtown Fredericksburg is an upscale Italian restaurant.
Benny Vitali's in Fredericksburg has a unique vibe.
Maggie's is a local hotspot in Fredericksburg serving sandwiches and paninis.
Fredericksburg residents can get all the essentials at Eagle Village.
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Historic United Methodist Church is almost as old as the city
Fredericksburg United Methodist Church is one of the city's oldest houses of worship. It was first constructed in 1802 and destroyed during the Battle of Fredericksburg 60 years later. The church was rebuilt on the same spot on Hanover Street, where it holds services to this day.
Old churches stick out amongst other buildings in downtown Fredericksburg.
Fredericksburg United Methodist Church is one of the oldest in the city.
Fredericksburg is home to many historic chapels.
Churches come in big and small in Fredericksburg.
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Crime rates in Fredericksburg
According to Fredericksburg Police data, violent crime in the city slowly declined from 2016 to 2022, though property crimes like larceny and auto theft rose from 2019 to 2022. Fredericksburg's overall violent and property crime rates run higher than the national average rate per 1,000 residents.
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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.
