Henrico County is a county in Central Virginia that wraps around the City of Richmond on the west, north, and east, where Interstate 64, Interstate 95, and Interstate 295 meet, and where Main Street Homes builds new homes. It is home to Short Pump, Glen Allen, Innsbrook, and Richmond International Airport.

Life in Henrico puts a lot within a short drive. You can shop the open-air walkways at Short Pump Town Center, catch a summer concert at Innsbrook, and bike the Virginia Capital Trail along the James River, all in the same county. Downtown Richmond is about 20 minutes from most of the county's West End, and parks, libraries, and recreation centers are spread across every part of it. For the bigger picture of the region, see our Central Virginia relocation guide.

Henrico County at a Glance

Henrico County is a suburban county of about 334,000 people with no incorporated towns, run from a government center in western Henrico.

Where Is Henrico County, Virginia?

Henrico County sits in the middle of Central Virginia, curving around the City of Richmond like a horseshoe. The James River forms much of its southern edge, and the Chickahominy River runs along its northeast side. Its neighbors are Hanover County to the north, Goochland County to the west, Chesterfield County and the City of Richmond to the south, and New Kent and Charles City counties to the east.

Henrico County and Richmond are separate

Henrico County and the City of Richmond are two different localities with their own governments, tax rates, schools, and services. Richmond was part of Henrico until it became an independent city in 1842. In Virginia, independent cities are not part of any county. That means a home in Henrico pays Henrico's tax rate, uses Henrico's utilities and trash service, and is served by Henrico County Public Schools. See our Richmond guide to compare.

One thing can be confusing. Many Henrico addresses use "Richmond" as the mailing city, even though the home is in the county. Henrico Doctors' Hospital, for example, has a Richmond mailing address. Always check the locality on a property record, not just the mailing city.

Communities inside Henrico

Henrico has no incorporated towns. Instead, it has well-known communities that are part of the county:

• Short Pump and the West End: Shopping, dining, and newer neighborhoods along West Broad Street and I-64, mostly in ZIP code 23233.
• Glen Allen and Innsbrook: Office parks, the Henrico Sports & Events Center, and neighborhoods north and west of the I-64 and I-295 interchange, with ZIP codes 23059 and 23060.
• Lakeside: An older area north of Richmond with a farmers market, local shops, and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
• Highland Springs and Sandston: Communities in eastern Henrico near Richmond International Airport and the historic Henrico Theatre.
• Varina: Eastern and southeastern Henrico along the James River, with farmland, river access, and the Virginia Capital Trail.

The county is divided into five magisterial districts: Brookland, Fairfield, Three Chopt, Tuckahoe, and Varina.

Why Home Buyers Choose Henrico County

Home buyers choose Henrico for its mix of convenience and choices. In one county you get a major regional shopping area, two large office parks, a busy airport, a busy Amtrak station, and a park system with lakes, trails, and dog parks.

Here is what stands out:

• Easy access in every direction. Three interstates and Route 288 connect Henrico to Downtown Richmond, the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.
• Shopping and dining close to home. Short Pump Town Center and the West Broad Street corridor put stores, restaurants, and entertainment minutes from many neighborhoods.
• Room to play. County parks offer fishing lakes, spray parks, disc golf, a pump track for bikes, boat landings on the James River, and two off-leash dog parks.
• Year-round things to do. Summer concerts at Innsbrook, NASCAR at Richmond Raceway, college basketball at the Henrico Sports & Events Center, and holiday lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
• Services close by. Hospitals, freestanding emergency rooms, nine public libraries, and recreation centers are spread across the county.

Getting Around: Commutes, Highways, and Travel

Henrico is one of the easiest places in the region to get around, with three interstates and the region's main airport inside the county.

Highways

• I-64 runs east and west through Henrico, from Short Pump past the airport toward Williamsburg and Virginia Beach. Short Pump Town Center sits about 1 mile west of I-64 exits 178A and 178B.
• I-95 runs north and south through the county toward Washington, D.C., and the Carolinas.
• I-295 loops around the north and east sides of the county, from Short Pump to Richmond International Airport and on toward Petersburg. It lets drivers skip downtown traffic.
• Route 288 meets I-64 just west of Short Pump and connects to Goochland, Powhatan, and Chesterfield counties.

Drive times from the Western Government Center

These are approximate drive times from the county government center at 4301 East Parham Road with light traffic.

Air and rail

Richmond International Airport (RIC) is in Sandston, in eastern Henrico, about 7 miles southeast of Downtown Richmond. From Short Pump, plan on about 30 minutes. Richmond Staples Mill Road Station, on Staples Mill Road in Henrico, is the busiest Amtrak station in Virginia. See the Central Virginia guide for airlines, train routes, and intercity buses.

Local buses and paratransit

The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) runs local bus routes in parts of Henrico. Rides are fare-free through at least June 30, 2027. The GRTC Pulse, a bus rapid transit line, runs about 7 miles from Willow Lawn in western Henrico, through Downtown Richmond, to Rocketts Landing in eastern Henrico. GRTC CARE offers door-to-door paratransit service within about three-quarters of a mile of GRTC bus routes for riders whose disabilities make it hard to use regular buses. Henrico riders can travel from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call (804) 782-2273 to apply.

Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Recreation

Henrico County Recreation and Parks runs parks across the county with lakes, trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and recreation centers. Most parks are open dawn to dusk every day. Here are a few to know:

• Deep Run Park and Recreation Center (9900 Ridgefield Parkway, Short Pump area): About 165 acres with 3.4 miles of paved trails, fishing, ballfields, a cricket field, a playground, a fitness center and gym, and a bike pump track.
• Short Pump Park (3329 Pump Road): An off-leash dog park with areas for small and large dogs, a spray park, a playground, ballfields, and a restored 1902 schoolhouse museum.
• Twin Hickory Park and Recreation Center (5011 Twin Hickory Road, Glen Allen): Walking trails, two playgrounds, a spray park, and outdoor fitness equipment.
• Dorey Park (2999 Darbytown Road, Varina): A 1-acre off-leash dog park with small and large dog areas, an 18-hole disc golf course, a fishing lake stocked with trout, tennis courts, a spray park, and trails.
• Three Lakes Park and Nature Center (400 Sausiluta Drive): Trails, fishing, and a nature center with live animals and hands-on exhibits. Its 50,000-gallon outdoor aquarium is being renovated.
• Osborne Park and Boat Landing (9530 Osborne Turnpike): Boat slips, a canoe launch, and an accessible fishing pier on the James River.
• Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park (3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen): A living history farm with an 1810 farmhouse, heritage farm animals, and trails.

Virginia Capital Trail

The Virginia Capital Trail is a paved path for biking and walking that links Richmond and Jamestown. Its Varina section in Henrico runs 11.3 miles, with parking at Four Mile Creek Park and Dorey Park near I-295.

Golf

Belmont Golf Course (1600 Hilliard Road) is a county-owned course run by First Tee and open to the public. Check playbelmontrva.org for hours and fees.

Sports leagues and recreation programs

Henrico partners with more than 60 youth sports associations for baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball, and more. Adult leagues include softball, soccer, flag football, cricket, and kickball. Recreation and Parks also offers classes in arts, nature, fitness, and more, plus therapeutic recreation programs. Register online through the county's recreation portal or call (804) 501-7275.

Shopping, Dining, and Local Favorites

Short Pump Town Center is Henrico's best-known shopping destination. The two-level, open-air center opened in 2003 on West Broad Street and has more than 140 stores, including Dillard's and Macy's. A Dick's House of Sport store is taking the former Nordstrom space, and a Sandbox VR virtual reality venue is opening in 2026. Restaurants, grocery stores, and big-box stores line West Broad Street on both sides of the mall.

Farmers markets

• Lakeside Farmers Market (6110 Lakeside Avenue): Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon and 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. [VERIFY: season end date. Visit Richmond says through November 30, the market's site says year-round, and our notes said April through December.]
• Dorey Park Farmers Market (2999 Darbytown Road): Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, June through October.

Breweries

Henrico has a handful of local breweries with relaxed taprooms:

• Final Gravity Brewing Co. (6118 Lakeside Avenue): A Lakeside brewery with 15 to 20 beers on tap and a homebrew supply shop.
• Intermission Beer Company (10089 Brook Road, Glen Allen): A taproom with house-made beers, pizza, and regular community events.

Many more breweries are a short drive away in Richmond's Scott's Addition. See the Central Virginia guide for the Richmond Beer Trail.

Arts, History, and Annual Events

Henrico is one of the oldest counties in America. It was formed in 1634 as one of Virginia's eight original shires, and its parks and historic sites tell that story.

Arts, culture, and history

• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (1800 Lakeside Avenue): Gardens, a conservatory, a children's garden, and a year-round butterfly exhibit. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights runs each winter with timed tickets.
• Henrico Theatre (305 East Nine Mile Road, Highland Springs): A restored 1938 Art Deco theater owned by the county, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It hosts performances and $1 movies.
• Meadow Farm Museum: Programs on Henrico's history, including Native American history and Gabriel's Rebellion. The Parsons Community Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., March through November.

Concerts, sports, and big events

• After Hours Concerts at Innsbrook: Summer concerts at the outdoor Innsbrook Pavilion in Glen Allen. The 2026 season ran from May 28 through late September.
• Richmond Raceway: Hosts the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 each August (August 15 in 2026). Its covered outdoor venue, Virginia Credit Union LIVE!, hosts concerts from fall through early summer.
• Henrico Sports & Events Center (Glen Allen): An indoor arena that opened in December 2023 on the site of the former Virginia Center Commons mall. Its center court seats 3,500, and the space converts to 12 basketball or 24 volleyball courts. It hosts the Atlantic 10 women's basketball championship through 2029.

Upcoming fall 2026 events

• Native plant festival: October 24, 2026, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Dorey Park, with native plant vendors and free plant vouchers.
• 1776: Signing Day: November 7, 2026, 1 to 4 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum.

Health Care and Wellness

Henrico has hospitals and 24-hour emergency rooms in the county, and VCU Medical Center in Downtown Richmond is about 20 minutes from the government center.

Urgent care centers and pharmacies are found across the county, especially along West Broad Street and other main roads. Search by your address to find the closest ones.

Fitness and recreation centers

County recreation centers at Deep Run, Dorey, Twin Hickory, and Hidden Creek parks offer programs and rental space. Deep Run Recreation Center has a fitness center and gym. Hidden Creek Park has pickleball courts.

Programs for older adults

Henrico's Older Adult Services connects residents age 60 and older and their caregivers with resources, including the "EngAGE" newsletter, senior clubs and leagues through Recreation and Parks, the library's "Senior Happenings," volunteer programs, and the Real Estate Advantage Program (REAP) for property tax relief. Call the Advocate for the Aging at (804) 501-5065 or visit Older Adult Services.

Schools, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning

Henrico County Public Schools serves the county with elementary, middle, and high schools, plus career and technical education centers. The division's office is at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road, and its main number is (804) 652-3600. School assignments depend on your address, so confirm them with the division before you buy.

• Visit Henrico County Public Schools for school assignments, enrollment, and calendars.
• Review school data for yourself on the Virginia Department of Education School Quality Profiles.

For child care and preschool, look for licensed programs through the Virginia Department of Education. [VERIFY: link to the VDOE child care search page.]

Libraries

Henrico County Public Library has nine libraries, including Libbie Mill, Tuckahoe, Twin Hickory, Fairfield, and Varina, plus branches in Gayton, Glen Allen, North Park, and Sandston. Library cards are free for residents of Henrico, Richmond, and Chesterfield. Bring a photo ID and proof of address. If you just moved and do not have proof of address yet, you can get a temporary 12-week card.

Colleges

Reynolds Community College's Parham Road Campus (1651 East Parham Road) is in Henrico, close to the government center. It offers transfer programs in liberal arts, engineering, and science, plus business and public service programs. Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond are a short drive away. See the Central Virginia guide for more colleges and lifelong learning programs.

Jobs, Business Parks, and Working From Home

Henrico is a major job center for the Richmond region. Its largest employers include Bon Secours, Amazon, Altria, Anthem, and Markel, and the county is home to six Fortune 1000 headquarters, including Altria and Markel. Capital One also has major offices in Henrico.

• Innsbrook: A 630-acre office park in Glen Allen near I-64 and I-295, with more than 500 companies, about 22,000 employees, three lakes, and 5 miles of paved trails.
• White Oak Technology Park: A business park in eastern Henrico that has become a hub for data centers. QTS is planning 17 new data center buildings there.
• Short Pump and West Broad Street: Retail, medical, and office jobs along the county's main shopping corridor.

If you work from home, most neighborhoods have cable or fiber internet. Main Street Homes floor plans with a flex room or extra bedroom can serve as a home office. See Internet and TV below for providers.

Setting Up Your Home: Utilities and Services in Henrico County

Most Henrico homes get water and sewer from the county, electricity from Dominion Energy, and natural gas from Richmond Gas Works. Confirm providers for your exact address before you move.

Water and Sewer

The Henrico County Department of Public Utilities provides public water and sewer. Apply for service online with the county's Water, Sewer and Refuse Collection Application, or call (804) 501-4275, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. New water and sewer rates took effect July 1, 2026, with a 5% increase under the county's fiscal year 2027 budget.

Some homes in Henrico use a private well or septic system. The county's health department handles well and septic permits, and septic systems in a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area must be pumped out at least once every five years. [VERIFY: which parts of the county rely on wells and septic, likely rural eastern Henrico.]

Electricity

Dominion Energy provides electricity in Henrico. Start service on Dominion Energy's website.

Natural Gas

Richmond Gas Works serves homes in the City of Richmond, Henrico, and northern Chesterfield. Call (804) 646-4646 to start service. It usually takes three to five days.

Trash Collection

Henrico County offers optional curbside trash collection for $18 a month, billed every two months, with weekly pickup. Sign up online or call (804) 501-4275. The county delivers your cart within 10 business days of your start date.

Service now covers most of the county. Phase 1 of a countywide expansion began June 1, 2026. Phase 2, for remaining far western and eastern areas, starts in summer 2027. Where county service is not yet available, homeowners use a private hauler.

Recycling

Recycling pickup is free for single-family detached homes on a public road. The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) collects every other week. It takes glass bottles, metal cans, plastic containers #1 through #7, newspapers, and mixed paper, with no sorting needed. Call CVWMA at (804) 340-0900 to get a bin.

Convenience Centers, Landfill, and Debris Disposal

Henrico runs two Public Use Areas for drop-off. Both are open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Bring a driver's license with a Henrico address.

Household trash costs $5 per trip. Recycling and clean yard waste are free. Tires and appliances with refrigerants have added fees. Call (804) 727-8770 with questions.

Bulk Item and Yard Waste

For furniture, appliances, and bagged leaves or brush, Henrico offers bulky waste pickup through TurboHaul for $67 per pile (up to 8 by 4 by 4 feet). Items with refrigerants cost $35 more each. Schedule online or call or text (804) 294-4443. Pickup happens within 14 days.

Internet and TV

Comcast (Xfinity), AT&T, and Verizon serve homes in Henrico. To see which providers serve your address, search the FCC National Broadband Map. Henrico is also working with All Points Broadband to bring fiber internet to about 376 homes in outer parts of the Varina District that did not have high-speed service.

County Services Contacts

Service providers, routes, and rates can change and can differ from one address to the next. Before you buy, confirm water, sewer, electric, gas, trash, and internet service for your specific address with Henrico County and each provider.

Real Estate Taxes and Cost of Homeownership

Henrico County's 2026 real estate tax rate is $0.83 per $100 of assessed value. The Board of Supervisors kept the rate unchanged when it adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget on April 14, 2026.

Real estate and personal property tax bills are mailed in April and November. Payments are due June 5 and December 5. Henrico has no town taxes because it has no incorporated towns. Rates can change each year, so confirm current rates with the Henrico Department of Finance.

New to Henrico County? Your First 30 Days

Here is a checklist for your first month in Henrico:

• Driver's license and vehicles: New Virginia residents have 60 days to get a Virginia driver's license and 30 days to title and register vehicles with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). See the Central Virginia guide for details.
• County vehicle registration: Register your vehicles with the Henrico Department of Finance so you are billed the correct personal property tax. [VERIFY: Henrico's filing deadline for new residents.]
• Voter registration: Register online at elections.virginia.gov with your new Henrico address.
• Utilities: Apply for water, sewer, and trash with Public Utilities, and call CVWMA for a recycling bin.
• Library card: Visit any Henrico library with a photo ID and proof of address.
• Parks and recreation: Create an account on the county's recreation portal to sign up for classes, leagues, and camps.
• Emergency alerts: Sign up for Henrico's Community Emergency Notification system at alert.henrico.gov. It sends texts, calls, and emails about life-safety emergencies such as evacuations and boil-water notices.

New Homes in Henrico County by Main Street Homes

Main Street Homes is building two new communities in Henrico's Short Pump area, both off Church Road near I-64, Route 288, Deep Run Park, and Short Pump Town Center. Both have VIP lists open now.

Main Street Homes has been building in Henrico County for years. Past Main Street Homes communities here include Longbridge, which has a Richmond mailing address, and Turner Forest in eastern Henrico. Shire Walk, a sold-out townhome community near Short Pump, sits close to both new communities.

• Covey Run: A limited collection of new single-family homes with 10 floor plans and two-car garages. Choose a first-floor primary bedroom plan such as the Parkview, Stuart, Augusta II, Treyburn III, or Monterey, or a second-floor primary bedroom plan such as the Linden, Silverleaf, Lancaster, Jefferson, or Hartfield II. Sales are expected to begin in summer 2027.
• Proffitt's Mill: A new townhome community with the Beaumont, Maple, and Rosewood II plans. Homes offer a first- or second-floor primary bedroom, a two-car garage, and optional covered patios, screened porches, three-season rooms, or sunrooms. Sales are anticipated to begin in winter 2027.

School assignments are listed on each community page. Confirm them with Henrico County Public Schools.

Main Street Homes has built thousands of energy-efficient homes in Central Virginia since 1996, and the company is employee-owned. We are neither a custom builder nor a production builder. We will not give you an eraser to move walls, nor will we build a cookie-cutter home.

• Energy Advantage+: Every home is built to our Energy Advantage+ standards and verified with duct blaster and blower door testing.
• Design Studio: Single-family buyers at Covey Run select finishes at our Design Studio at 15871 City View Drive, Suite 100, Midlothian, VA 23113, with certified Design Consultants. Townhome buyers at Proffitt's Mill choose from a curated selection of design options.

Ready to find your place in Henrico County? Explore our communities or call or text our Online Sales Specialists, Savannah and Daniel, at (804) 979-2954.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Henrico County

Is Henrico County part of Richmond?

No. Henrico County and the City of Richmond are separate localities with their own governments, tax rates, schools, and utilities. Henrico wraps around Richmond on the west, north, and east, and many Henrico homes use a Richmond mailing address.

Is Short Pump in Henrico County?

Yes. Short Pump is an unincorporated community in western Henrico County along West Broad Street and I-64. Henrico has no incorporated towns, so Short Pump, Glen Allen, Sandston, and Varina are all part of the county.

What is the real estate tax rate in Henrico County?

Henrico's 2026 real estate tax rate is $0.83 per $100 of assessed value, unchanged under the fiscal year 2027 budget. The personal property tax rate on vehicles is $3.35 per $100.

Who provides water in Henrico County?

The Henrico County Department of Public Utilities provides public water and sewer. Call (804) 501-4275 or apply online to start service. Some homes use a private well or septic system.

Does Henrico County pick up trash?

Yes. Henrico offers optional weekly curbside trash pickup for $18 a month, billed every two months, in most of the county, with service expanding countywide by 2027. Recycling pickup through CVWMA is free for single-family detached homes.

How far is Henrico from Richmond International Airport?

Richmond International Airport is in Henrico, in Sandston. It is about 25 minutes from the county government center and about 30 minutes from Short Pump.

Are there new homes for sale in Henrico County?

Main Street Homes is building Covey Run, with single-family homes, and Proffitt's Mill, with townhomes, in the Short Pump area. Both have VIP lists open now, with sales expected to begin in 2027.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Main Street Homes of VA, Inc. shares this article for general informational purposes only. References to businesses, organizations, attractions, utilities, and service providers are included as a resource for our readers and do not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by Main Street Homes of VA, Inc. The information, data, and details in this article are deemed accurate at the time of writing and were last verified on October 4, 2026. Because rates, services, schedules, boundaries, and providers can change, we encourage readers to confirm details directly with the appropriate locality, agency, or business before making any decisions. Main Street Homes of VA, Inc. supports the federal Fair Housing Act and the Virginia Fair Housing Law and is committed to equal housing opportunity for all.