Indoor attractions, outdoor experiences and a growing Uptown district
Martinsville is a southwest Virginia city that was once home to major manufacturing companies for furniture, textiles and chewing tobacco. Today, the city has a growing population, new local restaurants and businesses, and an increasing housing market. Most notably, it is home to Virginia’s biggest natural history museum and the Martinsville Speedway. “Martinsville is a wonderful place, offering urban amenities amidst rural beauty. Being part of a smaller community has its advantages. You get the sense of a large city, but with a closer network of support, connection and belonging,” says Tammy Cope, branch manager of the Martinsville Library. Folks can hang out at public parks or head to the Smith River for its canoeing, kayaking, fishing and nearby trails. Outdoor enthusiasts visit – or move to - the city to be close to Philpott Lake, a 3,000-acre body of water surrounded by miles of untouched wilderness. Whether visiting for the music festivals, viewing the award-winning exhibits at the museum or putting down roots, Martinsville is a small city that is not to be missed.
Though small, Martinsville is growing quickly, with small businesses inhabiting many of the old textile buildings that once served as Martinsville's industry.
The Martinsville speedway is a huge draw to the area during the warmer months, featuring a popular Nascar weekend.
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Parks, rivers, lakes and the Virginia Museum of Natural History
Perhaps the crown jewel of Martinsville is the Virginia Museum of Natural History; with its award-winning exhibits and educational programs, tourists, locals, and students of all ages can benefit from it. “The museum isn’t just about looking at specimens in a case. It’s about understanding how humankind and the Earth have evolved. We focus on research, collections and education,” says Dr. Noel T. Boaz, founder of the Virginia Museum of Natural History and long-time Martinsville resident. The museum has operated for about 40 years and is run by Dr. Joe Keiper, its current director. “The museum has become a cornerstone for Martinsville and beyond, and we’ll continue building on that legacy,” Dr. Boaz says. Town parks, trails and bike paths let neighbors get outside together. About 20 miles northwest is Philpott Lake, which is popular among travelers, tourists, and residents. The city is surrounded by wilderness and isn’t far from the mountains and hiking opportunities.
Jack Dalton Park is one of several local neighborhood parks, with playing fields and a trail loop.
The Virginia Natural History Museum is one of Martinsville's claim to fame, with classes and activities for local students. The museum is also a center of research in paleontology.
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Community events, festivals and gatherings at the Virginia Museum of Natural History
The Martinsville Speedways has a NASCAR weekend, and the city also hosts a Rooster Walk music and arts festival at Pop’s Farm. Smith River Fest celebrates the 45-mile waterway with vendors, fly fishing, kayaking and other outdoor events. City residents also host community gatherings like trivia nights, Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, pub runs, card tournaments and open mic nights at local brewpubs, game stores and theaters. “Martinsville is a great place to live and raise a family. It has a strong public education system, and we’ve been able to attract talented people from around the world,” Dr. Boaz says. The museum even hosts several events that aren’t just educational. “We’ve always strived to be a welcoming space for everyone. From hosting Girl Scout sleepovers to concerts and weddings, the museum has become a community gathering place,” Dr. Boaz says. “It’s not stuffy or exclusive—it’s inclusive and educational. Our biggest events, like Dino Fest where kids show up in dinosaur costumes, bring people from all over."
Martinsville City Public School programs and library resources
Martinsville City Public Schools is graded an overall C-plus on Niche and is home to four schools. Patrick Henry Elementary School and Albert Harris Elementary School are both rated a C, while Martinsville Middle School is graded a C-plus. Martinsville High School has a B-minus and is known for its bulldog mascot, dual enrollment opportunities and career readiness for its students.
Martinsville students and adults can attend educational and extracurricular activities at the Martinsville Branch Library. “The clubs we currently have on offer include S.T.E.A.M Club and Lego clubs for kids; book clubs that meet on- and off-site; knitting, crochet, and other crafting groups; and community-led Bible study groups,” Cope says. The branch also offers a Friends of the Library book sale event where the community can buy limited edition books or complete series to help generate money for the entire library system.
Martinsville High School serves the area's oldest learners and offers dual enrollment opportunities and career readiness for its students.
Albert Hill Elementary scores a C from Niche, and is one of several schooling options for Martinsville's youngest students.
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Low median home prices and growing residential areas on the southeast side of town
Martinsville is split between the northwest/central part of town, which is more developed with small neighborhoods and commercial businesses, and the southeast's forested suburban areas. The median single-family home price in Martinsville is about $150,000, which is significantly lower than the national average. At that price, buyers can purchase manufactured homes on their own land, fixer-upper ranch-style homes and Cape Cods. A smaller assortment of homes that range in value between $200,000 and $300,000 can include colonial-inspired estates from the 1970s, single-story 1920s ranch-style homes and early 2000s brick traditionals. A very small number of homes cost over $500,000 and are located in the forested suburban areas by Lake Lanier. These larger estates can have over 4,000 square feet of space and include spacious yards, wide driveways and both midcentury and contemporary designs.
Communities of Townhomes are common in Uptown Martinsville, with prices being very affordable.
Larger homes in a variety of styles line many Uptown streets, like these on Church St.
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Incoming local businesses and major shopping centers in Martinsville
New businesses and long-time staples in the Martinsville Historic District are often found on Main Street and Church Street. The city calls this their “Uptown” district instead of downtown and is going through revitalizations to encourage more economic growth. Brewpubs, sandwich shops, cafes, bars and sit-down restaurants all congregate within a mile radius of one another. Residents can spend a day learning about local history, viewing the classic Federal and Romanesque architecture, or enjoying a meal or game of brewpub trivia. For big shopping trips to grocery stores like Kroger and Aldi, Commonwealth Boulevard has several national brands and chains like Applebee’s Grill and Bar, Belk Department Store, Walmart and Lowe’s.
Hugo's Restaurant and Sports Bar is a great place to grab a beer and catch the game.
Wild Magnolia hosts events like karaoke night. Though less busy in the winter, this hot spot gets busy in the summer, so get there early if you want to get in.
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Rural but not isolated
Because it is right near the North Carolina border, Martinsville is about 55 miles or 1 hour from Greensboro to the south. Its major highways nearby include Routes 220 and 58. Route 220 takes drivers north about 1 hour to Roanoke and its commuter rail, which heads north to Richmond and Washington, D.C. Several public bus stops in the city line major streets and are serviced by the RADAR transportation non-profit or the Piedmont Area Regional Transit system bus lines.
Crime and possible flooding in Martinsville
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, in 2023, Martinsville's violent and property crime rates fluctuated above and below the state and national averages. Like with many Virginia towns, creeks, rivers and waterways that cut through the hills can be known to overflow during times of heavy rainfall.
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Martinsville, VA sell after 11 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Martinsville, VA over the last 12 months is $407,750, up 288% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
247.5+ Acres of farmland (80% pasture) with SPECTACULAR VIEWS of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the newly renovated (Yr 2025) home incl. opening space between the family room, great room and kitchen that has made it bright and has improved the flow of the floor plan. The crawl space has been completely encapsulated to make the home free of allergens. The inground pool has been converted to a
Countryside Estates - Tract 8 - 5.18 acres with shared pond. Private, secluded and woodsy. No Mobiles or Double wides allowed. Convenient to Rocky Mount and Martinsville. All owners share in maintenance of road when needed. Purchasers responsible for well and septic.
Countryside Estates -Tract 9 - 5.10 acres with shared pond. Private, secluded and woodsy. No Mobiles or Double wides allowed. Convenient to Rocky Mount and Martinsville. All owners share in maintenance of road when needed. Purchasers responsible for well and septic.
Welcome to 400 Stonewall Jackson Trail! Located on one of Chatmoss' most beautiful and secluded streets, and sitting on nearly 3 acres of land, this home is priced to sell - and the owners are offering a $10,000 credit for a full-price offer! Built in 1986 by esteemed, local builder, Sam Adkins, the owners invite you to make their home of over three decades yours! A long drive leads to entry via
Welcome to 260 Oxford Drive, a fabulous property in the desirable Rich Acres community! Ideally located for those commuting to/from U.S. 220, this home is at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac street, and is loaded with features and amenities! To start, the grounds and landscaping are stunning! Just over an acre, all for you, and a great deal of the lush back yard is fenced for pets, and inside the
Welcome home to this charming ranch in Martinsville! This move-in ready 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers comfort, space, and versatility. Inside, you'll find a bright open floor plan with glistening hardwood floors that create a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the main living areas. The home features three spacious bedrooms, including a primary bedroom with a convenient half bath. The
Welcome to 4620 Stoney Mountain Road in the Axton area of Henry County, Virginia, just east of Martinsville. Set on approximately 5.5 acres of gently rolling land, this custom Lindal home offers exceptional privacy, a serene private pond, a large metal barn with stalls and a workshop, and an additional storage building. Enter through double doors onto a slate foyer that opens to a spacious living
Looking for your first home or for an investment property? Take a look at this cottage with level back yard and fenced front yard! Starter home close to everything with new carpeting and paint throughout. The back yard is perfect for relaxing and there is an area for growing your own garden. This is a wonderful investors buy, so come take a look! All information taken from tax ticket and Seller.
This charming ranch-style home in the city limits of Martinsville, VA offers modern comfort and a turnkey lifestyle. Updated and move-in ready, this home sits on a .28-acre level lot. The interior boasts an updated kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen comes with its appliances and its peninsula gives the chef of the home plenty of room to prep dinner. The spacious living room greets you as you
This elegant Georgian Colonial-style home rests on one of Forest Park's premier residential streets and is truly a must-see. The home is a masterpiece of architecture, craftsmanship, luxury and elegance. Begin with the front faade of the home, the portico, massive columns, slate patio, and custom rails. Step inside and discover the convenience of main-level living, featuring primary bedroom with
60 +/- Acres with appx20 acres of fenced & cross fenced fields. The remainder consists of a mix of mature poplar, oak, maple, hickory, beech, walnut, and pine timber valued at up to $100K. The property is divided by the wide, bold Snow Creek. One-acre pond. Mountain views abound with Turkey Cock Mountain Wildlife Management to the East and Chestnut Mountain to West. With a 12ftX24ft lean-to in
Nestled on approx. 6 peaceful acres, this charming 1950-built home offers a wonderful opportunity to own a true family homestead filled with years of memories. The covered front porch is a great place to sit with some sweet iced tea & enjoy the evening's breeze. With 1,008 sq. ft. of living space, the home features 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, a living room, den, & a spacious kitchen with abundant
Welcome home to Ridge View Apartments, a beautifully maintained apartment community designed for comfortable, modern living.Ridge View offers spacious two- and three-bedroom apartment homes with layouts that give you room to live, work, and relax. Each apartment features a fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances, large closets, and the convenience of an in-unit washer and
This comfortable 2-bedroom, 1-bath ground-level apartment offers convenient living with essential modern features. Enjoy central heating and air for year-round comfort, plus in-unit laundry hookups for added ease.
Spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath single-family home located in the heart of Martinsville. Features a combination of wood and carpet flooring, along with gas heat and central A/C for year-round comfort. Conveniently situated near local shopping, dining, and amenities. Laundry Hookups in unit. Pets considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Chief Tassel building has seen a lot of change in its nearly 100 year history, but it’s always retained its quirky charm. After falling into disrepair in the early 2000s, we did a top-to-bottom renovation, keeping all of the historic character that makes the building unique, but bringing it up to modern times with all new systems, lighting, appliances, and more. The property features 20 one
Charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath single-family home featuring modern finishes and durable LVP flooring throughout. Laundry Hook-ups in unit. Conveniently located near everything Martinsville has to offer, including shopping, dining, and local amenities
Discover the perfect place to call home at Meadow Run Apartments, a well-maintained rental community at 101 Wood Street in Martinsville, Virginia offering charming and spacious townhome-style living. Our 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath units are designed for comfort, convenience, and everyday living — ideal for professionals, families, and anyone looking for quality rental living in a great
Experience modern living in this beautifully renovated 1-bedroom 1-bathroom apartment. The home features updated finishes throughout, including a stylish kitchen and contemporary bathroom. Enjoy the convenience of an in-unit washer and dryer, and bring your furry friend -- pets are considered on a case-by-case basis. NO SMOKING Perfect for those seeking comfort and convenience in a refreshed,
Property Id: 1697610Discover the perfect blend of comfort and convenience at Ridge View Apartments, a charming residential community in Martinsville. **Apt Features** Fully equipped kitchens with modern appliances Generously sized closets for all your storage needs In-unit washers and dryers for added convenience **Prime Location, Endless Possibilities**
Charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath home located in a highly desirable neighborhood. Enjoy year-round comfort with central heating and air conditioning. The interior features durable and stylish LVP flooring throughout, offering both low maintenance and modern appeal. Washer / Dryer Hookups in unit. Perfect for comfortable living in a sought-after location.
COMING SOON! Three Bedroom One Bath | Single Family Home | Recently Renovated | Stove and Fridge Provided | Washer/Dryer Hookups | Pets are considered on case by case basis | No Smoking
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