History and mystery: Fun Facts About Richmond
Think you really know Richmond? It's a city with cobblestone alleys that could trip a Civil War reenactor, murals on flood walls that you'll have to crane your neck for, and food truck lines that are longer than Monument Avenue itself. Let's run through the facts, stats, and Confederate statue drama that showcase what makes Richmond's quirks worth the humidity.
Laura, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Laura arrived in Virginia in 1988 with a teaching job, a love of sunshine, and zero idea she’d still be here decades later—now basically an honorary ambassador for the state. She’s tracked down over 800 of Virginia’s iconic LOVE signs, a feat that probably deserves its own license plate. When she’s not at the beach or debating which El Azteca location does the best Nacho Fajitas, she’s editing Snappy Scout’s Virginia guides, helping readers discover the local quirks and hidden gems she’s been living (and loving) for years.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Makes Richmond Richmond?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
Common nicknames for Richmond
RVA, River City, The Capital, and The 804
Local Reality Check
People think it's all Civil War monuments. It's actually all brunch spots.
You're most likely moving from
Northern Virginia (escaping the traffic and the prices), India, or Central America
Strangely large concentration of
Mural artists and breweries per capita
Music scene
Punk, indie, and metal have deep roots here since the '80s and Lucy Dacus and Jason Mraz call Richmond home
You'll have to see it to believe it
The James River rapids cutting through downtown
Unique Geography
Only major U.S. city with Class IV whitewater rapids in the urban core
Richmond is home to
The country's first successful electric streetcar system (1888) and the Richmond Region Mimosa Trail
Well known for its
Thriving street art scene and historic architecture mashup
Fun history fact
Edgar Allan Poe grew up here and his first book was published in Richmond, and the Virginia State Capitol doesn't have a dome
Celebrity sightings
Dave Bautista, Ezra Miller, Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson (hometown heroes)
Noteworthy Census stat
Median age is 34, making it younger than Virginia's overall median
Most interesting sub-culture within Richmond
The bike messenger and urban kayaking communities are surprisingly tight-knit
Population
4th largest city in VA, top 100 nationwide
Richmond is roughly the same geographic size as
Spokane, Washington (both around 60 square miles)
A Local Event Worth Experiencing Once
During the Christmas holiday season, head to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and take in the Dominion Energy GardenFest. This is a favorite family tradition where you can walk through millions of twinkling lights, see model trains, and enjoy an evening of hot chocolate and s'mores.
— Laura Gray
Virginia Local Expert
Ready to See If Richmond Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Richmond guide for the bigger picture.