Real Estate Directory - Virginia

Population: 7,386,330 (2003 figures)
Capital city/population: Richmond 194,729
Largest cities/population:

  • Virginia Beach - 439,467
  • Norfolk - 241,727
  • Chesapeake - 210,834
  • Richmond - 194,729

Virginia is the 35th largest state, with a total area of 42,777 square miles. Its climate is mild and pleasant; ocean breezes temper the eastern shores, but in the western portion, the Appalachians provide cold winters and cool summers. Average annual temperatures vary from 54ºF - 60ºF. Annual precipitation ranges from 35” – 50”. Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. The state has the unique distinction of being the birthplace of eight United States presidents: George Washington, James Monroe, William Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson. Seven presidents are buried there: Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Tyler, William Taft, and John F. Kennedy. Additionally, six presidents’ wives were born here: Martha Washington, Martha Jefferson, Rachel Jackson, Letitia Tyler, Ellen Arthur, and Edith Wilson.

HOUSING

Virginia Beach – Average price for a single-family home is $171,701, with rentals going for $616. Home sellers are becoming motivated, due in part to an overall slowdown in the area’s market. Agents are encouraging buyers to search for deals on homes.

Norfolk – Average price for a single-family home is $124,812. Homes are divided fairly evenly between owner-occupied and rental units. Norfolk has much to offer visitors, including zoos, opera houses, museums, memorials, botanical gardens, and great restaurants.

Chesapeake – Single-family homes are being sold for an average of $147,042. Chesapeake has many beautiful city parks, a Civil War Day celebration, an arboretum, and various jubilees and celebrations.

Richmond – Average price for a single-family home is $150,584. The metro real estate market slowed at the end of 2005, but overall, it still outperformed the national average. Agents report that 2006 should bring appreciation in the range of 5% - 10%, which is a solid figure. The city is in a rebirth, with many older buildings being converted to condominiums and lofts – this trend should revitalize the downtown economy and improve the overall image.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Principal industries include services, trade, government, manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture. Manufactured goods include textiles, transportation equipment, electric/electronic equipment, food processing, chemicals, lumber/wood products, and apparel. Crops include soybeans, grain, corn, tobacco, peanuts, and farm grain. Total gross state product for 2004 was $326,630 million, with a per capita income for 1995 of $23,597.

SCHOOLS

Virginia has established standards for all subject and grade levels, which outline expectations for learning and achievement in grades K-12. Additionally, a Curriculum Framework amplifies the standards, and defines content knowledge that is measured by learning tests. A Learning Enhanced Scope and Sequence provides sample lesson plans and instructional resources designed to help teachers align their classroom instruction with the Standards of Learning. In the public sector, student-teacher ratio for 1994 was 14:6, with an average annual teachers’ salary for 1995 of $34,687.

State-supported colleges include Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University - Blacksburg, Virginia Commonwealth University – Richmond, Old Dominion University – Norfolk, College of William and Mary - Williamsburg, and a former branch, Christopher Newport College - Newport News, Virginia State University – Petersburg, Norfolk State University, Radford University, James Madison University – Harrisonburg, Virginia Military Institute – Lexington, Longwood College – Farmville, and George Mason University - Fairfax.

The state is also the site of the University of Richmond, Virginia Union University – Richmond, Hampton University, Washington and Lee University – Lexington, and Lynchburg College

HISTORY

In early years, Virginia was dominated by wealthy planters, who were overrepresented in the legislature due slave ownership. As a result, a system of inequitable taxation arose, as demands for improvements and education went unmet.

Prior to the Civil War, the northern portion of the state was against secession. However, Richmond became the Confederate capital, with troops led by Robert E. Lee. As the war progressed, the Confederates lost their hold on the region, and several Union forces fought victorious battles here, as Virginia became the primary battleground of the war.

In the years following the war, several areas remained poverty-stricken. With the plantation system ended, the economy diversified into fruit farming and tobacco.

During the Great Depression, Virginia fared better than other states, due to the economy being built around consumer goods that remained in demand. Farmers benefited from many New Deal programs. During World War II, Virginia was the site of military training, shipyards, and other war industries.

The 1950s saw many important desegregation issues settled, as school integration was implemented.

In recent years, the greatest growth has come in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., as federal offices, lobbyists, and communications business have been built.

RELIGION (2003)

  • Christian – 84%
    • Protestant – 69%
      • Baptist – 32%
      • Methodist – 8%
      • Episcopal – 3%
      • Presbyterian – 3%
      • Other Protestant or general Protestant – 23%
    • Roman Catholic – 14%
    • Other Christian – 1%
  • Other Religions – 2%
  • Non-Religious – 12%

DEMOGRAPHICS (2003)

  • White non-Hispanic - 70.2%
  • Black - 19.9%
  • Hispanic - 4.7%
  • Asian - 3.7%
  • Native American - 0.3%
  • Mixed race - 2%