Prince George County Virginia

County Offices
6602 Courts Drive
Prince George 804-722-8600
www.princegeorgeva.org

Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1297
Hopewell 804-458-5536
www.hpgchamber.org

Prince George County is a suburban community of over 36,000 residents; it was established in 1702 and was named in honor of Prince George of Denmark, Husband of England’s reigning monarch, Queen Anne. Prince George County provides many unique areas and residential choices. As a part of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Prince George County enjoys the benefits of a rural, suburban quality of life. Education is a source of pride in that the County boasts one of the top public school systems in the state. In addition the county is home to Fort Lee which is home of the Combined Arms Support Command, U.S. Army Garrison, Army Logistics College, Quartermaster Center and School, and the headquarters for the Defense Commissary Agency. This military installation is home to more than 3,200 military personnel and their families. It is also going to be an even larger influence in the area as it is slated to nearly double in size, thanks to the 2005 Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission approval of more than $1 billion investment in the growth of the base. This investment is going to bring a more than 78 percent increase in military personnel and a 41 percent increase in civilian personnel for the base. This growth at Fort Lee will add significantly to the local economy at every level. In addition to the growth spurred by the military – Prince George County was chosen as the location for a $100 million investment by Rolls Royce North America for an aerospace engine facility. This initial investment in the county is expected to grow to upwards of $500 million.

Even with the exciting and rapid expansion of Fort Lee, the addition of new hotels and the added residential growth within the area, newcomers will still discover some of the South’s most gracious and historic plantations. Bed and breakfast inns and popular restaurants in this charming area dot the peaceful countryside that is now included on the Civil War Trails. Located to the south and east of Richmond, Prince George County showcases a breathtakingly beautiful landscape of forests and rivers. The region is bordered by the James River on the north and the Appomattox River on the west. The cities of Petersburg and Colonial Heights constitute the southwest border, and the city of Hopewell forms the northeast border.

Services
Prince George County serves as a tranquil “bedroom community” for the majority of its residents. A large percentage of the working population is employed by companies that operate outside the county borders. Major employers within the county include communications, public utilities, transportation, government, manufacturers, and a rapidly growing service sector. Most famous for its historic plantations and role in American history Prince George County has always enjoyed brisk revenue from tourism. The region’s potential has not escaped the attention of business and industry. With its proximity to major roadways and a short drive from the Richmond International Airport, this business center enjoys ideal transportation amenities.

The John Randolph Medical Center in Hopewell provides residents with complete healthcare facilities, in addition there are more than 20 hospitals scattered throughout the surrounding Richmond and Petersburg metropolitan areas. Residents have full service, quality healthcare at their doorstep.

Area youth receive a quality education in Prince George County Schools, where the strong core curriculum combines with a variety of extracurricular activities and special programs for gifted and challenged students. The student teacher ratio averages around 13-to-1, which explains why local schools are considered some of the best in the state.  The opportunities for vocational, technical, and career training are abundant in the area. An outstanding selection of universities and colleges, both public and private, are located within an easy commute. Among the many possibilities are the University of Richmond, the Virginia Commonwealth University, the College of William and Mary in nearby Williamsburg, and Virginia State University in Petersburg.

 

Lifestyle
The unique region we know today as Prince George County represents a treasure trove of historic findings and discoveries, where the secrets of the ages have been remarkably preserved. The county’s archaeological sites continue to provide important data regarding the development of early man and Native American culture as well as the introduction of Europeans and African-Americans into the New World.

Our own nation’s connection with this area began with John Smith’s visit shortly after his arrival in Jamestown. Colonists were soon to follow. Rich in natural resources, this vast acreage of riverfront and woodland offered timber for homes and open space for crops. In fact, many of the region’s residents actually descended from yeoman farmers, indentured servants, slaves, free Blacks, and Native Americans who once fished the rivers and tilled the soil. This intimate connection with the past explains why county residents are so committed to preserving the area’s historic and environmental legacy. The remnants of yesterday that are scattered throughout the county reach beyond the Revolutionary era to the Civil War.

Newcomers will find a friendly community dedicated to maintaining a fine balance in every aspect of life. Reverence for the past is balanced against the needs of the present and a vision for the future. The relaxed pace and friendliness of rural living is balanced against growth and progress.  Homes in the county range from vintage older models in long-established residential neighborhoods, to fine estates surrounded by ancient trees and greenery. If your dream home is not on the market when you arrive, the county offers abundant options for expansive lots and new custom homes. Wherever you choose to settle, you will enjoy a dimension of tranquility that seems all but lost in today’s fast-paced world. Few locales in the nation can offer the quality of life you’ll discover in this serene retreat, where the chirp of birds and crickets replace the din of city traffic.

In spite of its rural flavor and charm, the county is just 25 miles from Richmond, 15 miles from Hopewell and the Tri-City area, and 35 miles from Williamsburg. When you consider the area’s good schools, country atmosphere, and unspoiled beauty, it is little wonder that the county’s growth and expansion have continued to attract newcomers to the area.