$205,257Average Value$151Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Community spirit and countryside living in southeast Virginia
Twenty-three miles south of Petersburg and 8 miles north of Wakefield, Waverly is an unassuming, rural community established in 1854. Churches and homes dot the countryside, and farmland surrounds the small downtown district. “I moved here because I found a historic home I wanted to renovate,” says Waverly Mayor Angela McPhaul. The mayor has overseen revitalization and beautification of the community after a deadly tornado came through in 2016. “After living in Austin, Texas, and downtown Washington, D.C., I came to find how much people needed broadband in rural areas when I moved to Waverly,” McPhaul adds. Waverly has big plans to liven up its small-town lifestyle. Since planting roots here, the mayor has attracted new businesses downtown, spruced up the cemetery from the 1880s and brightened the community with flowers and professional landscaping.
Waverly has homes with acreage perfect for families interested in farming.
Waverly is a rural community focused on historic preservation and downtown development.
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Outdoor fun and recreation at Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park
Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park is where locals congregate for birthday parties, family reunions and weekend fun. Brightly colored awnings shade the playground, protecting kids and equipment from the hot summer sun. The playground is located next to courts for pickleball and tennis, and it sits just down the street from Waverly Ballfield, where local T-ball, baseball and softball leagues play. The park also includes picnic tables, grilling stations, a walking trail and community garden. “In the mornings, elderly people walk the trail and to the community garden, where they can find fresh produce,” McPhaul says. “The park is the type of place where children can learn to ride bikes. It’s all in one big area. Parents can play pickleball while kids play on the playground; it’s all within view of each other,” McPhaul says. “It also hosts the Oktoberfest for children and the annual 5K starts and finishes there.” With abundant forests and fields in and around Waverly, hunting is also a popular pastime. Waverly Hunt Club members enjoy camaraderie and guidance for hunters of all ages.
Waverly offers abundant green space, ideal for walking and outdoor recreation.
A Waverly family is enjoying the sunshine at Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park.
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Supporting Waverly’s local businesses and driving to other retail hubs
In downtown Waverly, brick storefronts line West Main Street; some are open for business, while others are empty. Flags honoring the Armed Forces adorn the streetlamps along the sidewalks. Locals can eat at fast-food establishments like McDonald’s and restaurants like HonduMex Cuisine, a casual, locally owned place serving Honduran and Mexican food. While the Dollar General carries some grocery essentials, a larger variety of fresh produce is available about 7 miles away at Wakefield Market. The nearest mall and Walmart Supercenter are in Petersburg.
Southeast Virginia is known for its history of peanut farming, and Adams’ Peanuts & Country Store sells peanuts harvested just a mile away. This authentic country store carries other locally made products, like bacon, ham, jams and jellies about 5 miles south of downtown Waverly.
Waverly residents frequent Adam's Peanuts and Country Store for friendly service, country ham, and peanuts.
Wakefield Market is just down the road for Waverly residents to make a grocery run.
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Rural streets with homes under $300,000
Drivers going through Waverly pass by open farmland, mature trees and grassy lots large enough for a garden and a dog run. Lots closer to Main Street are smaller, while lots farther from the main drag are larger. Some streets are narrow, single-lane roads through the woods. Ramblers without garages make up much of the residential landscape, while some farmhouse-style homes feature recent upgrades and elements of colonial-style architecture. Prices for mid-20th century homes, some of which are fixer uppers, generally range from $30,000 to $235,000. The range for larger, more recent constructions is about $270,000 to $360,000.
Waverly features picturesque tree-lined streets that add to its small-town charm.
Two-story homes are available in Waverly, offering spacious living options in a charming neighborhood.
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Highways connect Waverly to the wider southeast Virginia region
The heart of Waverly is the intersection between Route 40, a two-lane road that connects Waverly to neighboring towns, and Route 460, a four-lane highway that extends east-west across Virginia. “Beach traffic is insane on Memorial Day and Labor Day – up to 12,000 cars come through per day,” McPhaul says. Railroad tracks also cross Route 40, which is locally referred to as Main Street. Overall, however, Waverly enjoys a slow-paced lifestyle because of its distance from metropolitan areas. Folks can drive about 25 miles to the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry; the complimentary service takes commuters across the James River to Williamsburg and Interstate 64. Air travel at Richmond International Airport is 55 miles away. Emergency care at Bon Secours – Southside Medical Center is on the outskirts of Petersburg, about 20 miles north.
The public elementary, middle and high schools sit next to one another
Public school students are zoned for Sussex County Public Schools, rated B-minus overall by Niche. Sussex Central Elementary, rated B-plus, Sussex Central Middle School, rated C and Sussex Central High, rated C-plus, are all clustered together along Route 40, about 13 miles from Waverly. According to U.S. News & World Report, a disproportionately high number of Sussex Central High School students are classified as economically disadvantaged; however, students receive individualized attention with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10-to-1, and the school offers a free lunch program to those students who qualify.
Sussex Central Elementary School is located 45 miles southeast of Richmond in rural south-central Virginia.
Sussex Central Middle School is a public school that fosters a welcoming atmosphere for students in grades 6–8.
Sussex Central High School, home of the Tigers, is just a short drive from Waverly and serves students in grades 9–12.
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Renovating the Miles B. Carpenter Folk Art Museum
Waverly has long been home to the Miles B. Carpenter Folk Art Museum, which features the work of the local artist, whose work also appears in museums across the country, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The museum in Waverly has been closed due to changing ownership, but “Waverly took it over two years ago, fixed up the stage and landscaped a huge tulip bed, which is in bloom now,” McPhaul says. “The museum itself has a lot of wood carvings, and we’re trying to get it ready to open.” The folk art museum and the attached peanut museum, highlighting the factthat the country’s first commercial peanuts were grown in Waverly, are scheduled to open in tandem by August of 2025. The site currently hosts events like an adult Oktoberfest and art camps for kids during the summer.
Crime and weather safety in Waverly
Since an F1 tornado ripped through the area in 2016, the community has not experienced deadly weather. “We do get tornado warnings, and we’re in a low-lying, easy-to-flood area,” McPhaul says, noting that even a few inches of rain can make an impact. Meanwhile, Waverly’s overall CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national figure of 4.
Photography Contributed By
Jeremy Wooten
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On average, homes in Waverly, VA sell after 55 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Waverly, VA over the last 12 months is $192,425, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this beautifully renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home, designed with a perfect balance of modern style and everyday comfort. The open-concept main level boasts 9-foot ceilings, living room, a spacious dining area, and a stunning kitchen featuring granite countertops and brand-new stainless steel appliances. The primary suite is conveniently located on the first floor, complete with a
Subject to Online Sale, List price is opening offer and may not reflect the final sales price, seller is considering pre-sale offers. Explore the possibilities on this 76.6-acre wooded retreat just minutes from the historic town of Waverly, Virginia. Ideal for a custom home, recreational use, hunting, or long-term investment, the land offers abundant wildlife, privacy, and opportunity.
Move-in ready, affordable, 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch style home with large yard - space to live now and room to grow. Whether you need 3 bedrooms or you're looking for a home office and/or guest room this evening fits your lifestyle. Newly renovated, this home offers modern comfort and aesthetics in a low-maintenance package. Living room receives great natural light from large picture windows and
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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