McKenney is a rural Dinwiddie County town
Located in Dinwiddie County, McKenney is a former railroad town of about 500 residents. The Richmond, Petersburg and Carolina Railroad used to run through the area on its way to North Carolina. Today, this small town embodies country living. Outside of a small downtown area, miles of green countryside stretch, with churches dotting lush fields. “It’s extremely rural,” says David Patsel, an associate broker with Napier Realtors and former Dinwiddie County resident. “But people like the seclusion and privacy that they can still find.”
Modest homes near the town center or in the county
Smaller housing styles, like Cape Cods and ranch-style homes, are common in McKenney. Sidewalks and smaller lots are typical near downtown, while properties on the outskirts can occupy multiple acres. Prices can range from about $100,000 for a property that needs some work to about $350,000 for a new build. Plots of land are also available, usually ranging in price from around $20,000 to over $100,000, depending on the size of the parcel. “First-time homebuyers are drawn to the area because the price of the land is so much more affordable,” Patsel says. “But there are also a lot of people who have been in the area for a long time and stayed to be near family.”
Local businesses, farmers market and amenities in nearby cities
While McKenney’s small downtown strip has some shuttered storefronts, there are still a few businesses in town. Residents can dine on pizza, pasta and other Italian favorites at Little Italy and head to Dairy Freeze to get ice cream for dessert. They can find more dining options in the nearby cities of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Richmond – all less than 50 miles away. There’s a Family Dollar, Dollar Tree and other small markets in town, but for a larger grocery trip, residents will need to travel about 12 miles northeast to Food Lion. But in town every Friday from April to October, the McKenney Farmers Market sells Virginia-grown produce and locally made goods.
Students zoned for Dinwiddie County Public Schools
McKenney 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. At the center of town, Sunnyside Elementary School, which receives a B from Niche, is walkable from many homes in McKenney. Dinwiddie County Middle gets a C-plus and Dinwiddie High gets a C-minus and offers dual enrollment with nearby John Tyler Community College.
Community center and Little League in town, scenic parks out of town
The Robert & Betty Ragsdale Community Center has spaces for all ages, from a senior’s lounge to a game room. Opened in 2007, the center is a popular event space, regularly hosting gatherings, from birthday parties to work events. The town’s McKenney Ballfield hosts youth baseball events, while the nearby Dinwiddie Sports Complex, about 20 miles northeast, is an athletics hub. Opened in 2011, the facility offers fields for football, baseball, soccer and softball; it regularly hosts games and tournaments for youth teams up to collegiate-level athletes. For a scenic outdoor experience, Fort Pickett Reservoir, which spans nearly 400 acres on the Nottoway River, is about 20 miles west. Some parts of the water are restricted due to military training exercises from nearby Fort Barfoot; however, this is a popular kayaking and canoeing spot. While motorized boats are permitted in some areas, there is a 25-mile-per-hour speed limit. Fishing is also common on the reservoir, and anglers may catch largemouth bass, sunfish or crappie. About 20 miles south, County Park at Great Creek also sits along a reservoir, and visitors can cast their lines from the wooden pier extending into the water or take out their boat via one of the public launches. The park also has a playground, walking trails, picnic areas and charcoal grills. Lake Chesdin, with boat launches and shoreside campgrounds, and Pocahontas State Park, with hiking trails, fishing areas and a summertime pool, are both about 40 miles north.
50 miles or less to Richmond and the Tri-Cities
While the Dinwiddie Express bus offers limited services in the area Monday through Friday, McKenney is car-dependent. U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Interstate 85 are nearby, both leading toward Petersburg, about 28 miles northeast. It’s roughly 30 miles to Colonial Heights, 35 miles to Hopewell and 50 miles to Richmond. Fort Barfoot, a major employer in the region, is about 20 miles west. For air travel, Richmond International Airport is about 52 miles away.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
