Richmond metro, VA relocation guide
Moving to Charles City, VA
About Charles City
Charles City is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in and the county seat of Charles City County. The 2020 census counted 104 residents (per Wikipedia, read September 25, 2026). The village sits on State Route 5 (the John Tyler Memorial Highway) with the county courthouse and government buildings. Charles City County's real draw is its James River plantation corridor: Berkeley, Shirley, Westover, and other great houses line VA-5 between Richmond and Williamsburg, making this one of Virginia's most historically rich — and most rural — stretches of the metro.
Home prices in Charles City
Home prices in Charles City vary by neighborhood and property type.
Top places in Charles City
- Charles City County Courthouse and courthouse village.
- Berkeley Plantation — birthplace of Benjamin Harrison, site of the first official Thanksgiving (1619).
- Shirley Plantation — America's oldest family-owned business (1638).
- Westover Plantation — famed Georgian mansion on the James.
- James River — river landings, fishing, and eagle watching along VA-5.
Commuting from Charles City
- Approximately 30 miles southeast of downtown Richmond via VA-5; typical off-peak drive ~40 minutes (approximate).
- No GRTC fixed-route transit; driving is the only practical commute.
Charles City FAQs
- What is the housing market like in Charles City, VA?
Home prices in Charles City vary by neighborhood and property type. Price unavailable · Sep 2026 - How is the commute from Charles City, VA?
Approximately 30 miles southeast of downtown Richmond via VA-5; typical off-peak drive ~40 minutes (approximate).
Town links
Schools
Official town resources. School report cards via the National Center for Education Statistics.