Aerial of a Richmond suburb like Lakeside Virginia.

Joseph Woods

May 15, 2025

What’s Living in Lakeside VA Like? - Moving to Lakeside Virginia Guide

Last Updated On: 15th January 2026, 10:59 pm

Living in Lakeside VA offers a blend of suburban charm and city convenience. Located just north of Richmond and south of Ashland, this diverse neighborhood attracts students, young professionals, families, and retirees alike. Residents enjoy affordable housing, a strong sense of community, and easy access to parks like Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and Bryan Park. Between the local shops, unique eateries, and a vibrant farmers market, Lakeside Avenue has much to offer. While some areas lack sidewalks or tree cover, many find Lakeside a welcoming, laid-back place to live with character and connectivity. Lakeside offers a strong sense of community and is considered a good place to live thanks to its great location, crime reduction efforts, and access to major roadways and attractions. If moving to Lakeside Virginia is in your future, we’d love to be the moving company that helps you get there!

History of Lakeside

While Lakeside VA is not a city or a town (It’s a Census Designated Place), it has a close proximity to larger cities. However, before these larger cities were established, Lakeside was a rural community with a history dating back to the late 1800s. Lakeside is named after Major Lewis Ginter, who developed a prominent recreational area for the region's residents.

Where Is Lakeside Virginia?

Lakeside Virginia is located in Henrico County, 6.7 miles from Downtown Richmond. Laurel is to the north, and Richmond is to the south. Its main allure is its proximity to RVA and its ample public transportation options, as well as the major roadways that serve it. Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) provides local bus transit, paratransit, and on-demand ride services to people living in Lakeside VA. Route 1 in the Brook Road corridor and Route 14 near the Westbrook and Crestwood areas are the nearest options for residents to ride.

Lakeside Population

Lakeside Richmond has a small population of 12,203 and a median household income of $69,695, which is below the US median of $78,538 and the state median of $90,974. 11.8% of people living in Lakeside VA are below the poverty line. Its racial and ethnic makeup reflects the state’s African American history. 68.3% of residents are White (59.1% non-Hispanic or Latino), 20% are Black and African American, and 11.2% are Hispanic or Latino. 7.4% of its population identifies as Asian, 3.5% as two or more races, and 0.6% as American Indian or Alaska Native. 0.1% of people living in Lakeside VA are Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. Additional demographics:

Median income
Median age: 35.2 years old
Sex ratio: 51 males to 48 females
Marital status: 42% married VS 58% unmarried
Educational attainment:
- High school graduate or higher: 90.4%
- Bachelor’s degrees or higher: 35.7%
Foreign-born population: 11.5%

With 4,982 households and 2,909 families, more than 58% of residents have children, making it a family-friendly suburb to call home.

Lakeside VA Crime Rate

The FBI does not provide crime rate statistics for Lakeside, so we will use Richmond as a reference. Richmond is less than 10 miles from Lakeside, Virginia, making it a good option for showing the region's overall safety.

Richmond VA crime rate: 3,792
Virginia crime rate: 1,930
US crime rate: 2,324
Richmond violent crime rate: 360
Virginia violent crime rate: 234
US violent crime rate: 370

According to the FBI, the violent crime rate in Richmond is 2.6% lower than the country.

Richmond property crime rate per 100,000 people: 3,433
Virginia property crime rate per 100,000 people: 1,696
US property crime rate per 100,000 people: 1,954

Although Richmond VA has a higher crime rate than the state and the US average, Lakeside is served by the Henrico County Police Division. Henrico County has seen a significant decrease in crime across the board, including an 18% year-over-year decrease in violent crime and a 6% decrease in all crimes compared to 2023 and the five-year average. Drug overdoses have dropped by 40% in the county limits. You can dive deeper into the area’s safety by exploring the county’s crime rate statistics.

Cost of Living in Lakeside Virginia

The Richmond metro area has a Cost of Living Index (COLI) of 96.0, making living in Lakeside VA, 4% more affordable than the average US city. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four in Henrico County can live comfortably with a household income of $109,682. And per Numbeo’s data on the *area’s typical living expenses, groceries and utilities are also affordable:

Inexpensive restaurant meal: $20.00
Gallon of milk: $3.55
Loaf of white bread: $3.32
Pound of white rice: $1.68
Dozen eggs: $4.95
Average utilities per month: $145 (per Doxo)

Source: Numbeo *The above statistics are for Richmond, meaning exact prices may differ when living in Lakeside VA.

Lakeside Housing Market Overview

Whether in the heart of Richmond or in a notable suburb like Lakeside, VA, buying a house in Virginia is exciting. Houses for sale in Lakeside VA are away from the hustle and bustle of big-city living and come with a lower price tag! The median sale price in Lakeside is $354,000, compared to Richmond's $402,000 and the US median of $416,900. While affordable, buying a house in Lakeside is competitive, with homes selling within a median of 6 days and 48.9% going above the listing price. Renting here is on the more expensive end, with the median rent being $2,300 per month, according to Zillow’s data. If you're looking for flexible short-term stays, rentals like Rent By Owner provide convenient, furnished options ideal for visitors, remote workers, or families exploring the area before committing long-term. The average rent in the US is $1,736, for comparison. Richmond’s average rent is $1,569 for an 838-square-foot rental unit.

Lakeside VA Weather & Climate

Similar to Richmond’s climate, Lakeside has a Koppen classification of Cfa, which is a humid subtropical climate. Lakside, VA, summers are muggy with high temperatures, and winters are moderately cold. Temperatures here vary drastically, from 29 degrees Fahrenheit to 89 degrees, but it does occasionally dip into the teens and get as hot as nearly 100 degrees. The warm season here is also the wet season, as July experiences a 43% chance of rain on any given day. The town of Lakeside experiences its fair share of snow, with January getting an average of 5.4 inches. The best time to visit Lakeside is from late May to late June, when the temperatures are still enjoyable (typically in the mid-70s to 80s, but before the hot and muggy season begins).

Things to Do in Lakeside

Lakeside consists mostly of residential homes, but there are a few attractions to check out. If you end up running out of activities, there are countless things to do in Richmond!

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Located along Lakeside Avenue is Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, which is home to 50 acres of luscious and mature gardens. There are dining options and a conservatory to explore, making it one of the top things to do in Lakeside VA. 1800 Lakeside Ave, Henrico, VA 23228, (804) 262-9887

Bryan Park

Located just outside of Lakeside in Richmond, Bryan Park hosts the local Lakeside Farmers Market, in addition to bird-watching trails, tennis courts, and a disc golf course. 4308 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23227, (804) 646-5733

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best museums in Virginia, thanks to its 50,000 pieces of artwork displaying 600,000 years of world history. This is a must-do activity when living in Lakeside VA. 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220, (804) 340-1400

Restaurants in Lakeside Richmond VA

Are you looking for places to eat when living in Lakeside VA? Consider these top restaurants in Lakeside VA.

Hobnob

Indulge in unique dishes at Hobnob; this eatery has everything from burgers to fish and chips and even lasagne. According to their reviews, the ambiance is laid-back, and the food is great! 6010 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23228, (804) 264-7400

Arianna's Italian Grill Lakeside

Get a taste of Italy at Arianna’s Italian Grill! You can enjoy delicious dining at a great price, as reviewers rave about the affordable prices, Philly cheesesteak, chicken parmesan, and pizza. 5107 Lakeside Ave, Henrico, VA 23228, (804) 627-0314

SB's Lakeside Love Shack

SB’s is casual dining at its finest! This breakfast joint serves up tasty menu items like sweet potato hash, freshly-baked cinnamon rolls, and even breakfast chili. 6935 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, VA 23228, (804) 922-2371

Living in Lakeside VA offers many unique restaurants thanks to its diverse demographics and high foreign-born population.

Lakeside Jobs

One major plus side to living in Lakeside VA is its proximity to Richmond’s robust economy, which boasts a metro GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of $158.15 billion and over 699,000 employed residents. The city is home to eight Fortune 500 companies, including Dominion Energy, Altria, and CarMax, as well as major employers such as VCU Health and Capital One. Lakeside's average commute time is 22.5 minutes, allowing many residents to enjoy quick and convenient access to career opportunities in the city. This commute is notably shorter than the national average, allowing for more personal time and less stress. Of course, if you opt to work remotely (tools such as Remote’s EOR services provide access to remote roles nationwide) there’s no commute to consider at all. Thanks to its easy access to great job opportunities, living in Lakeside VA is great for families and business professionals

Schools Lakeside VA

Henrico County Public Schools serves K-12 students living in Lakeside VA. The district serves nearly 50,000 students and employs approximately 6,600 staff members. There are 75 schools in the entire district, with three specific schools serving the Lakeside area. According to the district’s zoning map, Lakeside Elementary, Moody Middle School, and Hermitage High School serve the residents of Lakeside. Many things set Henrico County Public Schools apart—from its performing arts programs to its numerous sports teams, your child will have numerous options to explore when attending this district. HCPS is a great option, and you don’t have to just take our word for it—you can see from its performance stats that the students here are flourishing. Its high school graduation rate exceeded the state average (which is 92.8%), with a whopping 96.2% graduation rate. If you’re ever seeking additional educational resources, visit the Ginter Park Branch, Richmond’s nearest branch to Lakeside. Card members gain access to unique incentives like laptop checkout services, in-house computer labs, job-seeking assistance, and a memory lab, where you get help making personal archives for your family to enjoy for generations.

Lakeside VA Statistics & Information

Lakeside VA county: Henrico County
Lakeside VA area: 4.4 square miles
Lakeside VA zip code: 23228
Lakeside VA area code: 804
Lakeside VA elevation: 177 square feet
Lakeside VA time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-5 and -4)
Closest airport to Lakeside VA: Richmond International Airport (RVA) is 15.3 miles from Lakeside Virginia

Lakeside Map

Explore more to do with the map of Lakeside VA.

Moving to Lakeside Virginia, With On The Fly Moving Guys

If living in Lakeside VA is in your future, consider hiring Lakeside VA movers who are reliable and can handle your transition with ease. Call On The Fly Moving Guys today at (804) 836-4954 for a free estimate on your upcoming move.