Moving to Ashland Guide | What’s It Like Living in Ashland VA?
Are you searching for the perfect small town offering friendly neighbors and Southern hospitality? Then living in Ashland VA might be the perfect choice. Nicknamed "the center of the universe" by locals, Ashland is known for its central location, farmer's and holiday markets, and several historical attractions.
It's named after the Lexington, Kentucky, estate of one of Hanover County's most famous residents, Henry Clay. The Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad developed the town in the 1840s as a railroad resort town and racetrack. It was officially incorporated in 1858 and developed into a typical college town after the founding of Randolph Macon College in 1868.
These days, Ashland is a good place to live for anyone who wants natural beauty, historic homes, and a small-town charm. Think this may be the perfect place for you? Here is everything you need to know about moving to Ashland, Virginia.
Where Is Ashland?
The town Ashland, VA is in the heart of Hanover County in the northern reaches of the Richmond metro area. Residents living in Ashland VA have ample opportunity when it comes to transportation.
Route 1 passes right through town, offering access to Richmond, while I-95 runs parallel, offering a route to further cities such as Washington DC, and Petersburg. Virginia State Route 54 runs perpendicular and offers a path to the nearby communities of Hanover and Montpelier for commuters living in Ashland VA.
Its convenient location is what inspired Ashland VA's center of the universe nickname.
It's also drained to the north by tributaries of the South Anna River and to the south by the Chickahominy River. Nearby cities include Ashland Mill, Gilman, Poindexters, and Wickham Crossing.
It's 19 miles or a 25-minute drive from Ashland, VA to Richmond, VA.
Ashland Population & Demographics
The Ashland population is 7,565 as of the 2020 census. The number of people living in Ashland increased by about 5% between 2010 and 2020. However, Ashland offers residents a spacious, rural atmosphere, and its population density is 1,065 people per square mile.
It's a diverse town with many young professionals living in Ashland VA. The median age is 30.7 years old, and 48% of the population of Ashland VA is under 30 years old.
The majority of people living in Ashland VA are Caucasian, and 64.4% of residents are white (64.1% white, non-Hispanic). However, 20.2% of residents are Black or African American, 11% are Hispanic or Latino, 1.7% are Asian, and 5.6% are two or more races.
Other Ashland Demographics
- 55% of people living in Ashland VA are female, and 45% are male
- The median household income is $65,000 per year, which is 33% lower than the rest of Virginia
- 89.3% of residents living in Ashland VA have a high school diploma, and 34.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher
In general, living in Ashland VA is safe, although it does feature a higher rate of crime than the rest of the country. The total Ashland crime rate is 2,767 incidents per 100,000, which is 43.4% higher than the Virginia crime rate and 19.1% higher than the rest of the country.
The violent crime rate is also 55% higher than the national average, and property crime is 12% higher. However, the murder rate is zero. So, you'll want to take the proper precautions if you plan on moving to Ashland. But most residents living in Ashland VA report that crime isn't much of an issue as long as you're careful.
The Ashland Police Department monitors crime in the community with the assistance of 21 officers and 3 civilian employees.
Cost of Living in Ashland VA
The cost of living in Ashland VA is also very reasonable. A great way to understand how much it costs to live in an area is to check the cost of living index. It compares the prices of typical consumer goods to the rest of the US, which is represented by 100. The COLI for the Richmond area is 95.8. That means the cost of living in Ashland VA is about 4.2% less expensive than the typical US city.
The Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator is also a great resource. It reveals that a typical family of four, with two adults and two kids, needs to earn $114,791 to cover the cost of living in Ashland VA.
Typical expenses of living in Ashland VA:
- Hamburger: $5.56
- Bunch of bananas: $0.72
- Loaf of bread: $3.99
- Carton of eggs: $3.48
- A gallon of gas: $3.28
- Visit to the doctor: $130.63
Source: Payscale
Ashland real estate is surprisingly affordable for the quality of life it offers. The median price of houses for sale in Ashland, VA is $415,000. That's slightly lower than the national median by about 2.3%. The median price per square foot of Ashland, VA, homes for sale is $250.
Ashland VA real estate includes plenty of options for renters. Census data shows that 56% of homes are owner-occupied, and 44% are renter-occupied. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Ashland is $1,712, which is right on par with the national average.
Large-scale, modern apartment buildings with 50+ units only make up about 4% of rentals, while 54% are small-scale buildings and 31% are single-family homes. Rents for tenants living in Ashland VA start around $1200 for a studio and go up to $2,500 for three or more bedrooms. If you're visiting or seeking short-term options before committing to a lease, Hotala offers a variety of furnished vacation rentals that cater to different budgets and stay durations.
Ashland Neighborhoods | Where To Live in Ashland
For a small, fairly rural community, living in Ashland VA offers many popular neighborhoods offering attractive homes on spacious plots of land. For those looking for senior living in Ashland VA, the Ashland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a local facility offering senior healthcare services with a focus on post-acute care. For everyone else, Here is a closer look at some of the best places to live if you plan on moving to Ashland.
Lankford's Crossing | A Conveniently Located Community of New Homes On Large Lots
Lankford's Crossing is a popular neighborhood of new single-family homes for sale in Ashland, Virginia. Plots can be up to 13 acres, and prices start in the upper $500,000s, attracting many growing families living in Ashland VA.
Stanley Park Drive | A Charming Community In a Central Location
Situated just north of downtown Ashland, VA, Stanley Park Drive is an upscale area that features hiking trails, new Craftsman and Colonial-style homes, and easy access to local businesses for shoppers living in Ashland VA.
Amburn | A Bustling Community With Diverse Housing Options and Great Schools
Located near Randolph-Macon College, Amburn is a new community offering single-family homes and villas that are popular among students and families living in Ashland VA.
Ashland VA Weather & Climate
The weather in Ashland, Virginia, is fairly mild throughout the year. The Ashland climate is a humid subtropical climate, which means you can expect hot, humid summers and cool winters. Temperatures typically range from 29°F to 89°F, although they can drop to as low as 15°F in the winter and reach up to 96°F in the summer. The best weather in Ashland, VA, is usually between May and June or August through October.
Anyone living in Ashland VA should be prepared for precipitation. Every year, the city averages about 13 inches of snow and 44 inches of rain. So don't forget to pack an umbrella and snow boots.
Things to Do in Ashland
While it is a small town, there are still plenty of fun things to do in Ashland, VA. You can find plenty of local businesses, retail outlets, and stores at the Ashland Town Center, Ashland Junction Shopping Center, or Ashland Hanover Shopping Mall.
Its annual holiday markets occur in the town's main outdoor area during December, and a farmer's market takes place behind the town hall every Saturday. Beyond shopping destinations, here are a few other Ashland, VA attractions.
Ashland Museum
Situated in the heart of downtown Ashland, VA, Ashland's history museum is dedicated to preserving the town's unique past as a mineral springs railroad resort with exhibits, artifacts, events, and more. Perfect for history lovers living in Ashland VA.
105 Hanover Ave, Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 368-7314
Ashland Theatre
One of the best things to do in Ashland Virginia, for film buffs, The Ashland Theatre is a vintage movie theater and performance venue showcasing new and classic movies, live music, theatrical performances, and more.
205 England St, Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 401-7007
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Red Vein Escape
Red Vein Escape is a great spot if you're looking for fun things to do in Ashland with kids. It offers multi-themed adventures, thrilling puzzle games, immersive storylines, and unique sets.
108 Robinson St, Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 752-1081
Additional Ashland Attractions
The local Parks and Recreation Department also has information on the best things to do in Ashland, including a programs and events calendar.
Ashland Restaurants
You'll also find a range of delicious restaurants in Ashland, VA, that serve everything from comfort food to Peruvian cuisine. Here are a few of the best places to eat in Ashland, VA.
Industrial Taphouse
Famous for its delicious burgers, the Industrial Taphouse is a happening venue and one of the best restaurants in Ashland, VA, if you're craving elevated bar food and craft beers.
10392 Leadbetter Rd, Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 299-2649
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Fire & Chicken
Fire and Chicken is a Peruvian restaurant serving authentic dishes made with fresh ingredients, including charbroiled chicken, pork chops and rice, fried plantains, and more.
115 N Washington Hwy, Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 800-5953
Iron Horse Restaurant
The Iron Horse is a local staple and one of the most famous Ashland VA restaurants with fresh, regional seafood, hand-cut fries, local produce, and specialty cocktails.
100 S Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 752-6410
Jobs in Ashland
As a small, rural town, Ashland offers few employment opportunities outside of a few retail businesses. However, living in Ashland VA offers easy access to jobs in Richmond and the surrounding areas.
Hanover County is home to over 5500 employers and features an unemployment rate of 2.2%. The leading industries providing jobs in Ashland VA are manufacturing, retail, construction, health care, and social services.
Most residents living in Ashland VA and Hanover County are employed in sales jobs (12.09%), executive, management or administrator positions (11.26%), office and administrative support (10.34%), production work (7.26%) and construction and extraction (6.97%). About 42% of Hanover County jobs are blue-collar, and 57% are white-collar.
Largest employers in Hanover County:
- Amazon Fulfillment Services
- Hanover County School Board
- Kings Dominion
- Bon Secours Health Systems
- RMC Events
Moving to Ashland in search of a job means you’ll be well-compensated. Payscale data suggests that the average salary in the Richmond area is $72,000 per year.
From in-home sales representatives to litigation attorneys, employment seekers will find a variety of Ashland jobs offering competitive pay and great benefits.
Ashland Schools
Moving to Ashland with kids? Students living in Ashland VA will receive a great education. It's within the Hanover County Public School District, which has a stellar reputation and ranks 21st out of 130 districts in the state.
The public schools in the Ashland district are:
- Elmont Elementary: Serves approximately 395 students in grades pre-K through 5.
- Liberty Middle School: Serves close to 1,000 students in grades 6-8.
- Patrick Henry High School: Serves approximately 1,300 students in grades 9-12.
Patrick Henry is particularly well-respected. In addition to being one of the best Ashland high schools, it also ranks #141 in the state of Virginia with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio.
Hanover Academy is a notable private school in Ashland offering Christian education to students in grades pre-K through 8. Ashland is also home to Randolph-Macon College, a private liberal arts school affiliated with the Methodist Church that offers bachelor's degree programs.
Any residents living in Ashland VA are also free to stop by the Richard S. Gillis branch of the Pamunkey Regional Library for books and community events.
Ashland Statistics & Information
- Ashland County: Hanover County
- Ashland area: 7.23 square miles
- Ashland zip code: 23005
- Ashland area code(s): 804
- Ashland elevation: 213 ft
- Ashland time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-4 and-5)
- Closest airport to Ashland: Richmond International Airport (RIC) is 25 miles away.
Ashland VA Map
Discover more activities, restaurants, and fun things with this map of Ashland Virginia.
Learn What Living in Ashland VA Is Really Like
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