New Kent County is a rural county in Central Virginia, about 30 miles east of Downtown Richmond on Interstate 64 (I-64) toward Williamsburg, where Main Street Homes builds new homes. The county sits between two rivers, the Chickahominy and the Pamunkey, with Richmond to the west and the Historic Triangle to the east.

Daily life here has room to breathe. You can start the morning on a paved park trail, spend the afternoon on the water, and catch live music at a hilltop winery as the sun goes down. Homesites tend to be larger than in the suburbs, yet Richmond International Airport is about half an hour away. Spring and summer bring thoroughbred racing to Colonial Downs, and fiber internet now reaches every corner of the county.

New Kent County at a Glance

New Kent County's government center is in the community of New Kent, at 12007 Courthouse Circle, near I-64 Exit 214.

Where Is New Kent County, Virginia?

New Kent County sits on the east side of Central Virginia, between the Richmond area and the Virginia Peninsula. The Pamunkey River forms its northeastern border, and the Chickahominy River forms its southwestern border. Its neighbors are Hanover and Henrico counties to the west, King William and King and Queen counties to the north, James City County to the east, and Charles City County to the south.

The county has no incorporated towns. Instead, it is made up of small communities, each with its own ZIP code or local identity:

• New Kent (23124): The county seat, home to the courthouse, county offices, and the Visitors and Commerce Center.
• Quinton (23141): The western part of the county near I-64 Exit 205, closest to Richmond. Read our Quinton guide.
• Providence Forge (23140): Near Exit 214 and Route 60, home to Colonial Downs and several golf courses. Read our Providence Forge guide.
• Lanexa (23089): The southeast part of the county, near Chickahominy Lake and the Pamunkey River wineries.
• Barhamsville (23011): The northeast corner, near the York River and the West Point area.
• Talleysville and Bottoms Bridge: Crossroads communities along Route 106 and Route 60.

For more about the region around Richmond, see our Central Virginia relocation guide.

Why Home Buyers Choose New Kent County

Buyers choose New Kent County for space, water, and an easy reach to two metro areas. You can live on a large homesite and still get to Richmond or Williamsburg in well under an hour.

• Room to spread out: Main Street Homes offers homesites from about 0.6 acre to more than 25 acres in the county. There is room for a garden, a workshop, or a place to park a boat or RV.
• Two rivers and a lake: The Chickahominy and Pamunkey rivers and Chickahominy Lake draw anglers, paddlers, and boaters all year.
• Between two regions: Richmond is to the west, and Williamsburg and Hampton Roads are to the east, so jobs, shopping, and airports in both areas are within reach.
• Fiber internet everywhere: A county partnership with Cox finished in August 2026 and brought fiber access to every home and business.
• Things to do close to home: Thoroughbred racing, four wineries, four golf courses, mapped bike routes, and county parks with ballfields, a dog park, and pickleball.

Getting Around: Commutes, Highways, and Travel

I-64 runs through the middle of New Kent County, with four exits that connect each part of the county to Richmond and Williamsburg.

I-295 meets I-64 just west of the county line, which gives drivers a bypass to I-95, Short Pump, and Petersburg.

Approximate drive times from the New Kent County Administration Building with light traffic:

Homes in western New Kent, such as Quinton, are closer to Richmond. Main Street Homes' Beech Springs community in Quinton is about 20 minutes from RIC and about 30 minutes from Downtown Richmond.

Road work to know about: The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is widening I-64 from four to six lanes through the county. The section from just west of Exit 205 to just east of Exit 214 is set to finish in summer 2027. The section from there to the James City County line is set to finish in spring 2029. Expect work zones until then.

Buses and transit:

• Virginia Breeze Tidewater Current: This state-run intercity bus began service on April 20, 2026. It stops in New Kent at Colonial Downs and Rosie's Gaming Emporium and runs daily along I-64, linking Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Richmond, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Harrisonburg. The ride from Richmond to New Kent takes about 55 minutes.
• Bay Transit Express: Since April 1, 2026, this on-demand shared-ride service has carried riders within its New Kent service zone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each one-way ride costs $1. All vehicles have wheelchair lifts. Book on the free BT4U app or call (804) 966-8743.

For air, rail, and long-distance travel from the wider region, see the Central Virginia guide.

Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Recreation

New Kent County has county parks, a nature trail, a state forest, a marsh preserve, and two wildlife management areas.

• Pine Fork Park: The county's newest park opened in July 2021 on 55 acres at 7600 Bristlecone Boulevard, off Pine Fork Road near I-64. It has three fenced baseball and softball fields, three multiuse fields, a paved trail of about 1.3 to 1.5 miles, outdoor fitness equipment, four pickleball courts, and a playground with a zip line. A fenced one-acre dog park has agility equipment and separate areas for small and large dogs. Dogs must be vaccinated and registered with the county.
• Quinton Park: In the western part of the county, with a half-mile paved walking trail, a playground, a picnic shelter, two athletic fields, horseshoe pits, and a basketball court. It is open dawn to dusk.
• Wahrani Nature Trail: A 138-acre park with wooded hills, ferns, old-growth trees with markers, and an overlook. The county offers a trail map online.
• Crawfords State Forest: 258 acres of forest near Providence Forge, set aside as a bird and game sanctuary with a nature trail.
• Vandell Preserve at Cumberland Marsh: A wetland preserve where you may spot bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, and egrets.
• Ware Creek Wildlife Management Area: About 2,600 acres along the York River near Barhamsville, with marshes, forests, and fields. Hunting is allowed in season.
• Game Farm Marsh Wildlife Management Area: 429 acres of cypress forest and wetlands, known for bird watching, near Chickahominy Lake.

On the water: The Chickahominy River, Chickahominy Lake, the Pamunkey River, and the York River offer fishing, boating, and paddling. Chickahominy Lake is known for bass, crappie, and pickerel. Private marinas and campgrounds along the Chickahominy offer boat launches, rentals, slips, and storage.

Biking: The county has six mapped and signed bicycle routes, from 15 to 100 miles long. Printable maps are on the Visit New Kent website, and the Visitors and Commerce Center at 7324 Vineyards Parkway has restrooms and water for riders.

Golf: Four golf courses sit between Richmond and Williamsburg in New Kent County. They include Royal New Kent Golf Club, an Irish links-style course in Providence Forge designed by Mike Strantz, and Brickshire Golf Club, a Curtis Strange signature course. The Club at Viniterra and Brookwoods Golf Club round out the list.

Recreation programs: New Kent Parks and Recreation lists classes, sports, and programs in its online CivicRec catalog, and rents the Quinton Community Center for events.

Shopping, Dining, and Local Favorites

New Kent County's local favorites lean toward wineries, waterfront spots, and country stores, with larger shopping a short drive away.

• Wineries and a brewery: Four wineries grow grapes in the county. New Kent Winery shares a tasting room with Talleysville Brewing Company, which pours craft beer on site. Saudé Creek Vineyards in Lanexa sits on a hilltop above the Pamunkey River and has a natural amphitheater. Jolene Family Winery and Gauthier Vineyard are also in the county. Several host live music on weekends.
• New Kent Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, May through August, at the pavilion at New Kent Highway and Vineyards Parkway (7589 New Kent Highway).
• Groceries: A Food Lion is about three minutes from Beech Springs in Quinton.
• Bigger shopping trips: White Oak Village in eastern Henrico, about 25 minutes from Quinton, has a Target, Publix, Lowe's, and many restaurants. Williamsburg Premium Outlets is about 40 minutes from Quinton.

Coming later: A Buc-ee's Travel Center is planned near I-64 Exit 211 and Route 106. Its opening is now expected in 2032, after VDOT finishes improvements at the Exit 211 interchange.

Arts, History, and Annual Events

New Kent County was formed in 1654, which makes it one of Virginia's oldest counties. Its history from colonial days through the Civil War is still visible today.

• New Kent County Courthouse: A courthouse has stood at this site since 1695. After several fires, the "old courthouse" that still stands was built in 1909. The restored old jail on the grounds is now home to the New Kent Historical Society.
• New Kent Ordinary: One of the few colonial ordinaries still standing. These taverns and inns served travelers between Richmond and Williamsburg, and this one welcomed guests such as George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette.
• Colonial Downs: Virginia's thoroughbred racetrack hosted a record 48 days of live racing in 2026. The spring meet in March featured the Virginia Derby, a Kentucky Derby qualifier, and the summer meet ran Thursday through Sunday from June 25 to September 7.

Annual events:

• New Kent County Fall Festival: Friday, October 16, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m., at Pine Fork Park.
• Racing season at Colonial Downs: Spring and summer meets each year.
• Live music: Wineries, golf clubs, and riverside campgrounds host concerts through the warm months. Find dates on the Visit New Kent calendar.

For museums, theaters, and big concerts in Richmond and Williamsburg, see the Central Virginia guide.

Health Care and Wellness

New Kent County has its own emergency center, and full-service hospitals are about 25 to 35 minutes away in Richmond, Mechanicsville, and Williamsburg. Drive times are from the county seat.

The VCU Health Emergency Center at New Kent is a freestanding emergency department, built for true emergencies like stroke, heart attack, burns, or serious injuries. It is open 24 hours a day, every day. Call 911 in any emergency.

For minor injuries and illnesses, Heal Health Orthopaedics and Urgent Care Clinics is at 2710 Brook Boulevard in Quinton. Bon Secours Urgent Care, Laburnum, in eastern Henrico, is about 20 minutes from Quinton. Pharmacies in the county include Walgreens at 2207 Pocahontas Trail in Quinton and Walgreens at 9125 Pocahontas Trail in Providence Forge. Check hours before you go.

Staying active: Pine Fork Park has outdoor fitness stations, pickleball courts, and a paved trail. Quinton Park's walking trail is paved, and the mapped bike routes wind through farmland and forest.

Schools, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning

Public schools in the county are part of New Kent County Public Schools. The division has five schools and serves about 3,500 students from pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) through 12th grade. It offers a Pre-K and early learning program. School assignments depend on your address, so confirm them with the division. To review school data, visit the Virginia Department of Education's School Quality Profiles.

Library: Heritage Public Library serves New Kent and Charles City counties. The New Kent Branch is at 7791 Invicta Lane, New Kent, and is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Call (804) 966-2480.

Community college and lifelong learning: New Kent County appoints members to the Rappahannock Community College board. The college offers credit classes, workforce training, and the Rappahannock Institute for Lifelong Learning. Its closest location is a site at 11825 New Kent Highway in New Kent. The main campuses are in Glenns and Warsaw.

Universities in Richmond are listed in the Central Virginia guide.

Jobs, Business Parks, and Working From Home

Many New Kent County residents commute west to Richmond or east to Williamsburg and Hampton Roads on I-64. Local employers include the county government, the school division, Colonial Downs, and businesses near the interstate.

The county's economic development office notes that each of its four I-64 interchanges has public water and sewer for commercial and industrial sites, and three of the four have natural gas. That infrastructure is meant to bring more businesses and jobs to the county.

Working from home: In August 2026, New Kent County and Cox Communications finished a $49 million fiber project. The network now reaches more than 10,500 homes and businesses through about 612 miles of fiber, so every address in the county can get fiber internet. Many Main Street Homes plans have a flex room or extra bedroom that works well as a home office.

Setting Up Your Home: Utilities and Services in New Kent County

Utility providers in New Kent County depend on your exact address, so confirm each one before you move.

Water and Sewer

New Kent County Public Utilities provides water and sewer only in select neighborhoods. The county draws its water from groundwater wells, and the Parham Landing Wastewater Treatment Plant handles sewer. Some neighborhoods, including Brookwood Manor, Windsor Park, Wedgewood, Woodhaven Shores, and part of Five Lakes, are served by private water companies. Homes outside these areas use a private well and septic system.

To start county service, submit a Utility Service Application at the Public Utilities office, 7051 Poindexter Road. New accounts pay a $35 administrative fee and a $50 deposit, and other fees may apply by location. Service starts within two business days. Call (804) 966-9678 with questions.

Electricity

Dominion Energy provides electricity in New Kent County. Start service at dominionenergy.com. [VERIFY: whether any part of the county is served by an electric cooperative.]

Natural Gas or Propane

Virginia Natural Gas serves parts of New Kent County. The county does not provide gas service, so check with Virginia Natural Gas to see if gas reaches your address. Homes outside the gas service area use other options, such as propane or all-electric heating.

Trash Collection

New Kent County does not offer trash pickup. You can hire a private hauler or take trash to a county refuse and recycling center for free. Haulers that serve the county include:

• County Waste/GFL, (804) 843-9288
• Ambrose Disposal, (804) 725-7053
• Republic Services, (844) 737-8254
• Redline Waste Services [VERIFY: the county lists two numbers, (804) 557-0333 and (804) 833-7585]

These companies are not affiliated with the county and charge for service.

Recycling

Recycling in New Kent County is drop-off only, at the same four county centers. You do not need to sort. Place clean, loose aluminum, glass, plastics #1 through #7, cardboard, mixed paper, and newspapers in the same container. Plastic bags and foam are not accepted.

Convenience Centers, Landfill, and Debris Disposal

The county runs four refuse and recycling centers. Show proof of residency with a county decal on your windshield, your driver's license, or a temporary authorization form. All sites close on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Construction waste is not accepted at county centers. The Charles City Landfill at 8000 Chambers Road, Charles City, is a nearby option, open 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bulk Item and Yard Waste

The main site on Route 618 takes appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, and stoves, along with scrap metal, used paint, empty propane tanks, and one TV or computer monitor per day. It also takes brush up to 6 inches across. Tires are not accepted at county sites; Virginia Recycling in Providence Forge takes up to four tires per year from New Kent residents at no charge. Call General Services at (804) 966-8514 for other items.

Internet and TV

Cox Communications offers fiber internet, TV, and phone service across the county. Major cell carriers, including Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, also serve the area. Search your address on the FCC National Broadband Map to compare options.

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 New Kent County and each provider.

Real Estate Taxes and Cost of Homeownership

New Kent County's 2026 real estate tax rate is $0.58 per $100 of assessed value. The Board of Supervisors adopted the rate on May 26, 2026, for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year. Real estate is assessed at 100% of its estimated fair market value.

Other 2026 county tax rates, per $100 of assessed value:

New Kent County does not prorate personal property tax. Each year's tax is based on what you own on January 1. The county also charges a 6% meals tax, and the sales tax is 6%, the Central Virginia regional rate. There are no towns in the county, so no town taxes apply. Confirm current rates with the Commissioner of the Revenue.

New to New Kent County? Your First 30 Days

Here is a checklist for your first month in New Kent County.

• Title and register your vehicles with Virginia DMV within 30 days, and get a Virginia driver's license within 60 days. The Commissioner of the Revenue's office at 12007 Courthouse Circle has a DMV Select office, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Register your vehicles with the county. After DMV registration, send your vehicle information to the Commissioner of the Revenue in person, by email with the Vehicle Registration Form, or by fax at (804) 966-5562.
• Register to vote online at elections.virginia.gov.
• Get a refuse and recycling decal or bring your driver's license to use the county centers.
• Sign up for New Kent ALERT, the county's emergency notification system, to get alerts by phone, text, or email. The county's "Sign Up For" page also offers news and event updates.
• Get a library card at the Heritage Public Library New Kent Branch.
• Register your dog with the county before visiting the Pine Fork Park dog park.
• Browse Parks and Recreation programs in the county's CivicRec catalog.

The Central Virginia guide covers statewide new resident rules in more detail.

New Homes in New Kent County by Main Street Homes

Main Street Homes builds single-family homes on larger homesites in New Kent County, in two communities.

Main Street Homes has been building in New Kent County for years. Past Main Street Homes communities here include Walsingham Fields in Lanexa, Diascund Creek in New Kent, Brickshire in Providence Forge, and Patriots Landing and The Fields at Pine Fork in Quinton.

• Beech Springs, Quinton (23141): Now selling. Beech Springs has 109 homesites from 0.6 acre to just over 1 acre along Airport Road, near I-64 Exit 205. Plans offer room for outdoor living, and the community will include open green spaces and recreation areas. Tour the Parkview model home at 7977 Dandridge Drive, Quinton, VA 23141. Model hours are Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; Monday, noon to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Shaun's Ridge, New Kent (23124): Join the VIP List. Shaun's Ridge is a planned collection of six single-family homesites, each about 15 to more than 25 acres, off Tunstall Road.

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. Floor plans include one-level living and first-floor primary bedroom designs.

• Design Studio: Single-family buyers choose finishes at our Design Studio at 15871 City View Drive, Suite 100, Midlothian, VA 23113, with help from certified Design Consultants.
• Energy Advantage+: Every home is built to our Energy Advantage+ standards and verified with duct blaster and blower door testing.

Ready to find your place in New Kent 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 New Kent County

Where is New Kent County, Virginia?

New Kent County is in Central Virginia, between Richmond and Williamsburg along I-64. The Chickahominy River forms its southwestern border, and the Pamunkey River forms its northeastern border.

How far is New Kent from Richmond and Williamsburg?

From the county seat, Downtown Richmond is about 35 minutes and Colonial Williamsburg is about 30 minutes by car with light traffic. Richmond International Airport is about 30 minutes away.

What is the real estate tax rate in New Kent County?

The 2026 rate is $0.58 per $100 of assessed value, adopted May 26, 2026. The motor vehicle personal property tax rate is $3.10 per $100.

Who provides utilities in New Kent County?

Dominion Energy provides electricity, and Virginia Natural Gas serves parts of the county. New Kent County Public Utilities provides water and sewer in select neighborhoods, a few neighborhoods use private water companies, and other homes use a well and septic system.

Does New Kent County have trash pickup?

No. Residents hire a private hauler or use one of four free county refuse and recycling centers. Recycling is drop-off only.

What internet is available in New Kent County?

Cox fiber internet is available to every home and business in the county after a project finished in August 2026. Check your address on the FCC National Broadband Map for other options.

Are there new construction homes in New Kent County?

Yes. Main Street Homes is selling single-family homes at Beech Springs in Quinton, on homesites from 0.6 acre to just over 1 acre, and has a VIP List open for Shaun's Ridge, with homesites of about 15 to more than 25 acres.

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.