Henrico County's appeal starts with a simple financial perk. The county does not charge a personal property tax on your car. This is a rare advantage in Virginia and a tangible saving you feel every year. It’s one of the many practical reasons people choose to live here.
The county itself is a study in contrasts. It wraps around the city of Richmond on three sides, offering a huge variety of living environments. You can find neighborhoods with a dense, urban-adjacent feel just a short drive from wide-open rural landscapes. This means you can choose a lifestyle first, then find a part of Henrico that fits it.
This guide walks you through what it’s like to live in Henrico. We’ll cover the neighborhoods, the real estate market, and the practical details of getting around.
Why Henrico?
Henrico’s geography gives you options. The West End of the county borders Richmond’s city limits. Here, the streets feel more connected and the pace is a bit faster. As you move west toward Short Pump or east toward the county line, the landscape opens up. You’ll find more space, larger lots, and a quieter atmosphere. This diversity in its physical layout is a core part of Henrico's character. You can find a brand new townhome in a walkable retail district or a brick ranch on a half-acre with mature oak trees, all within the same county.
The built environment is just as varied. Short Pump is the county's major retail hub. It’s a modern, sprawling area defined by the Short Pump Town Center, an open-air mall, and countless surrounding stores and restaurants. In contrast, areas like Innsbrook are large, landscaped corporate parks that blend office buildings with walking trails and lakes. Outdoor space is plentiful. The James River forms the county's southern border, and numerous parks like Deep Run Park and Three Lakes Park offer miles of trails, green space, and places to unwind. Walkability is highly dependent on the neighborhood; it's excellent in purpose-built communities like West Broad Village but requires a car in most other suburban areas.
The value proposition extends beyond just the car tax. You get access to a wide range of amenities and a central location in the Mid-Atlantic. The combination of corporate headquarters, extensive retail, and accessible green space creates a balanced environment. It offers the conveniences of a major suburb with easy escape routes to nature.
Henrico Neighborhoods Worth Knowing
Henrico contains a wide array of neighborhoods, each with a distinct physical character and price point.
Short Pump Located in the far West End, Short Pump is known for its modern and dense development. The housing is a mix of large, newer single-residence homes, townhome communities, and apartment complexes. The area is anchored by its massive retail centers. Prices here are on the higher end for Henrico, reflecting the new construction and concentration of amenities.
West End The "West End" generally refers to the established areas closer to the Richmond city line. Here you will find tree-lined streets with homes built from the 1950s through the 1980s. Brick ranches, split-levels, and traditional two-story colonials are common. Lots are typically larger and more mature than in newer areas, and prices vary widely but are often strong due to the prime location.
Glen Allen Glen Allen covers a large swath of the county, mixing classic suburban subdivisions with the corporate center of Innsbrook. The architecture is varied, with many neighborhoods developed in the 1980s and 1990s. It offers a central location within Henrico, with convenient access to both I-295 and I-64. Home prices tend to sit right around the county's median.
Tuckahoe Tuckahoe is another established neighborhood bordering the city of Richmond. It has a similar feel to the West End, with a strong stock of mid-century brick homes and mature landscapes. The neighborhood's winding roads and established greenery give it a quiet, residential character. It remains a sought-after area with property values that reflect its location and charm.
Innsbrook While known as a major office park, Innsbrook also contains a significant amount of residential housing. You’ll find condos, townhomes, and apartments clustered around the commercial centers and lakes. This area offers a unique, highly convenient lifestyle for those who work nearby, with restaurants, greenways, and a concert venue all within a short distance.
Highland Springs Situated in eastern Henrico, Highland Springs offers a different feel entirely. The neighborhood has a more historic, small-town grid with older, more modest homes. You will find bungalows and cottages from the early 20th century. This area is where you can find some of the most accessible price points in the county, often well below the median.
Henrico Real Estate Market in 2026
The Henrico County real estate market is active and competitive. Understanding the numbers can help you prepare for your search.
The median home price across the county is approximately $370,000. However, it is important to look at recent activity. Verified transaction records from the last 12 months show a median close price of $396,000. This indicates that prices have been trending upward and that buyers are often paying at or above the list price in competitive situations.
Homes in Henrico sell very quickly. The average time a house spends on the market is just 16 days. This fast pace means you need to be ready to move when you find a property you like. Having your financing pre-approved and being in close contact with your agent are essential steps to success.
The price range for homes is incredibly wide, from around $150,000 to over $1.2 million. This reflects the county’s diverse housing stock. You can find more affordable properties in the eastern part of the county, like Highland Springs. The highest prices are typically found in the high-demand West End and the new construction communities in and around Short Pump. This range means there is likely a property that fits your budget, but you have to know where to look.
Getting Around
Henrico is a large county, and a car is the primary mode of transportation for most residents. The area is well-served by major interstates, which is a huge benefit for commuters.
Interstate 64 runs east-west through the heart of the county, providing a direct route into downtown Richmond or west toward Charlottesville. Interstate 95 clips the eastern side of Henrico, offering a major north-south corridor for the entire East Coast. Interstate 295 forms a semi-beltway around the Richmond metro, making it easy to bypass city traffic and get from one part of the county to another. Route 288 provides another critical link, connecting the West End to southern suburbs.
Key surface roads are just as important. West Broad Street (Route 250) is the main commercial artery, running from the city line