With its small-town vibe, high-quality services, attractive housing market, and vibrant lifestyle, Williamsburg is a sought-after destination for newcomers of all ages. The local area has a temperate climate, steady job growth, and an abundance of cultural and recreational activities.

Travel & Recreation

Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown comprise Virginia’s Historic Triangle. The region offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, entertainment, arts and cultural venues, and retail and dining experiences. An easy day trip brings even more to explore, including the beautiful Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean beaches to the east and the scenic Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains to the west.

By car, rail, or air, Williamsburg is travel-friendly. It is readily accessible to Richmond, the Hampton Roads area, and Washington, D.C. Conveniently located in the southeastern Virginia I-95 and I-64 corridor, Williamsburg has Amtrak service and is a short drive from two international airports. 

Location

Located on the Virginia Peninsula, the city of Williamsburg is in the northern part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It is bordered by James City County and York County.

Local Population (2020 U.S. Census)

Property Taxes

Local Property Taxes Per $100 of Assessed Value

Example: The James City County property tax rate is $0.84 per $100. On a property assessed at $500,000, this would result in a real estate tax of $4,200.

Schools & Education

Williamsburg’s commitment to academic achievement is a focus for students of all ages. 

James City County and the City of Williamsburg (WJCC) participate in a joint public school system. In its 2022 Best Schools in America report, Niche, a leader in K-12 school rankings, rated WJCC Public Schools #9 of 131 school districts in the state. There are also several excellent private schools in the area, including Walsingham Academy, Williamsburg Christian Academy, and Williamsburg Montessori. 

Williamsburg is home to the nationally ranked College of William & Mary, a premier public research university, widely recognized for its outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus and vibrant community. The Historic Triangle campus of Thomas Nelson Community College, the fifth largest of Virginia’s community colleges, is also located in Williamsburg. 

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (sponsored by William & Mary) provides a wide array of adult continuing learning opportunities. 

Health Care 

When it comes to quality health care, Williamsburg has been recognized for service excellence. Kiplinger, a personal finance and economic forecasting publisher based in Washington, D.C., ranked Williamsburg one of the 10 best small and mid-size towns to retire for your health.  

Sentara Regional Medical Center has 145 licensed beds and features the latest healthcare technologies, serving the region with the life-saving capabilities of an ultra-modern medical center. It has achieved Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for excellence in nursing.

Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg, which has 40 private patient rooms and is a Certified Primary Stroke Center, has earned among its achievements NICHE Exemplar Status, a commitment to the highest quality care of older adults. 

Relocation & Retirement

Virginia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for relocation and retirement. 

Virginia ranked second in a study of “Best States to Retire” based on affordability, health-related factors and overall quality of life. Conducted by personal finance website WalletHub, the study examined 47 key indicators of retirement-friendliness across all 50 states. CNBC.com reported on the study in January 2022.

In its “2021 Best State” rankings, U.S. News & World Report rated Virginia seventh based on health care, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime and corrections, and natural environment. 

The Wall Street Journal reported that while Florida has been the number one destination for Americans who left their home state for retirement in the last ten years, in 2020, “the most popular state was Virginia, attracting 15 percent of all retirement moves from out of state” based on a study conducted by HireAHelper.com.

Check out historic sites and events at Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown.  Enjoy amusements at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Set out for a bike, hike, or drive along the Virginia Capital Trail. Take in scenic views from the James and York River beaches.

All this and more… just minutes from your front door.