Moving to Virginia

Virginia, otherwise known as ‘The Old Dominion State’, is a amazing state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to VA, we have organized a comprehensive list of some important facts and useful factoids to help make your move an easy transition.

As one of the original 13 colonies, Virginia was admitted to the union on December 16, 1777. Since then, VA has grown in to a thriving place to live. Rich in colonial history, Virginia offers many landmarks that will satisfy any history buff.

Geography

Located in the South Atlantic Region of the country, Virginia is bordered by Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. With a total land area of over 42,774.20 Square Miles, it comes in as the 15th smallest state.

Population

Currently, the population of VA is 8,411,808 making it the 12th most populated state in the union and the 15th most densely populated. The state capital, Richmond, has a population of 192494. which is the 19th largest capital in the country.

Notable Virginians

Virginia is home to numerous famous and some infamous citizens such as, Richard Arlen a notable actor is from Charlottesville and Arthur Ashe a notable tennis player is from Richmond. Others include people like Pearl Bailey a singer and Russell Baker a columnist .

Climate

Virginia has a humid climate with very warm summers and moderately cold winters. The climate exhibits substantial regional variation due to the state’s diverse geographic elements, which include the Appalachian Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains in the west and the Atlantic coastal region in the east. Temperature and precipitation patterns are highly influenced by these geographic features with the west and north being cooler and drier than the eastern coastal region. Statewide average temperatures range from 35°F in January to 75°F in July. The amount of rainfall generally decreases toward the west. For example, total annual precipitation is less than 40 inches in parts of the central mountain region of the state compared to around 50 inches along the tidewater coastal region.

National Parks

Virginia is home to 1 beautiful national park.

• Shenandoah

  Shenandoah’s Blue Ridge Mountains are covered by hardwood forests that teem with a wide variety of wildlife. The Skyline Drive and Appalachian Trail run the entire length of this narrow park, along with more than 500 miles (800km) of hiking trails passing scenic overlooks and cataracts of the Shenandoah River.

Crime Statistics

Safety and security should always be an important factor when moving to a new area. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the security of its citizens, it intensely affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Virginia’s violent crime rate is 19 per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 193per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 248.7.

Virginia ranks #46 in the US for violent crime and #41 for property crime.

Schools & Education

Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Virginia’s educational system.

Overall Grade: C+

Virginia spends on average $10078.00 per pupil, which is less than the national average ($11,900). VA ranks #14 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While VA ranks #14 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 85.70%%.

Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Virginia ranks #19 with over 47.10% of children attending a early educational program.

Taxes

The current income tax rate for Virginia is 5.75% which ranks 25th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. VA’s rate is $29.79 which ranks 29th in the US.

Currently, VA sales tax is $11.82 for which it comes in as 6th compared to other states.

Sports

Unfortunately Virginia does’nt have any major league teams.

Utility Companies

Before you move to Virginia, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in VA.

Other Resources

For more information about moving to Virginia, visit their website at http://www.state.va.us/