Wakefield is a quaint rural town situated in southeast Virginia. Despite its small size, Wakefield is home to a strong agricultural-based economy, excellent restaurants, churches, hotels, and shops. Incorporated in 1902, the charming and small town of Wakefield VA is known for being home to a renowned diner, the Airfield Conference, a 4-H Educational Center, and the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office for Eastern Virginia. Those living in Wakefield can further enjoy the community’s peaceful rural lifestyle while still having access to surrounding natural areas and the big city amenities of downtown Richmond. Overall, Wakefield is a good place to live.
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Where Is Wakefield Virginia Located?
The town of Wakefield is situated in Sussex County and is a suburb of Richmond. It is about 53 miles from Wakefield VA to Richmond VA. The town is nestled just 23 miles west of the beautiful James River.
The nearest towns to Wakefield are:
- Waverly to the northwest
- Dendron to the northeast
- Ivor to the southeast
Wakefield is conveniently located along U.S. Route 460, which provides an easy commute to Virginia’s central and southeastern transportation corridors. While there isn’t much public transportation within its border, the nearest bus stop to Wakefield is 23 miles southeast in Suffolk– operated by Suffolk Transit.
Wakefield VA Population & Demographics
The Wakefield population is 1,259, which is dispersed over 1.29 miles of land area at a population density of 1.011.5 per square mile. Wakefield is a part of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers the cities of Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell, and Colonial Heights. This region has a population of 1.3 million.
Of the 1,259 people living in Wakefield, 61% are male and 39% are female. Wakefield is also a very young town, with an average age of 29.9. More young people are moving to the area due to its close proximity to Richmond as well as its low cost of living.
Here’s a glimpse into additional Wakefield demographics:
- Racial and ethnic composition: 66% Black or African American, 31% White (30% non-Hispanic), 1.0% two or more races
- Median household income: $53,063 (compared to the Virginia average of $80,615)
- Educational attainment: 78.8% high school degree (or higher), 13.6% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Foreign-born population: 0.7%
Is Wakefield VA Safe?
Luckily for you, the town of Wakefield VA is an exceptionally safe place to settle down in and raise a family. According to the FBI, the Wakefield crime rate is around 634 crimes per 100,000 people. This is around 73% lower than the national average. Both the violent and property crime rates are over 70% below the U.S. average as well.
Those moving to Wakefield will be protected by the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department.
Things to Do in Wakefield VA
If you’re thinking about moving to Wakefield, there are several exciting things to do just a short drive away. You can quickly commute to the Oak Ridge Shopping Center in Suffolk or the South Crater Square Shopping Center in Petersburg when you want to do some retail shopping. Let’s dive into the best things to do in Wakefield:
Big Woods Wildlife Management Area
This 2,208-acre wildlife management area is one of the best things to do in Wakefield, VA, and boasts a pine-forested landscape that allows for hunting, trapping, hiking, and observing wildlife.
32775 Cedar Sign Post Rd, Wakefield, VA 23888, (804) 367-1000
Southeast 4-H Educational Center
This rural resort and education center is one of the most popular Wakefield attractions. This center has conference rooms, athletic facilities, summer camp programs for the kids, and comfortable lodging.
15189 Airfield Rd, Wakefield, VA 23888, (757) 899-4901
Isle of Wight Family Campground
Looking for a place to take the family camping? This well-managed campground features beautiful campsites along a pond.
7651 Whispering Pines Trail, Windsor, VA 23487, (757) 357-7211
Additional Attraction Near Wakefield VA:
The parks and recreational facilities around Wakefield are maintained by the Sussex County Recreation department. Wakefield VA news and events can be found on the city’s official website.
Wakefield VA Restaurants
On the hunt for the best restaurants in Wakefield, VA? Wakefield is home to a few delicious restaurants to choose from, including BBQ, Pizza, and American fare. Below are a few of the best restaurants in Wakefield.
Virginia Diner
This renowned diner provides tasty American comfort food in addition to its peanuts & treats sold at the gift shop.
408 County Dr, Wakefield, VA 23888, (757) 899-3106
Group ride to the world famous Virginia Diner for lunch. Nice 200 mile round trip. #VirginiaDiner #Wakefield #Virginia #GroupRide https://t.co/fVOw0dPXiR pic.twitter.com/0khit2gtKC
— 𝔾𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣 (@cityrider49) September 18, 2021
Q Daddy’s Pitmaster BBQ
Q Daddy’s Pitmaster BBQ is one of the most popular Wakefield restaurants. This delicious Barbeque restaurant serves up mouth-watering brisket, pulled pork, chicken tenders, and more.
658 County Dr, Wakefield, VA 23888, (757) 758-9092
Average Rent & Homes for Sale in Wakefield VA
Interested in Wakefield VA apartments? The average monthly rent in Wakefield sits at $979 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,106 for a two-bedroom apartment. Meanwhile, the average rent in the city of Richmond is $1,440, and the average for the state of Virginia is roughly $2,000.
If buying Wakefield real estate is more up your alley, you can check out the beautiful and affordable Wakefield VA homes for sale. According to Redfin, the average home price in Wakefield is $289,000. This is $156,200 below Virginia’s median home price. Houses in Wakefield primarily consist of single-family ranch, traditional, Cape Cod, and even Victorian-style homes.
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Jobs in Wakefield VA
Curious about jobs in Wakefield? The town of Wakefield experiences a slower 2.75% year-over-year job growth. However, many people living in Wakefield commute to bigger cities such as Richmond, Petersburg, Suffolk, or Norfolk for work. According to Payscale, the average base salary in Petersburg, near Wakefield, is $53,000.
The most sought-after job positions in Wakefield include healthcare support, management, and protective service workers. If you want to work for a top employer in the area, then check out the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Virginia Diner, Isle of Wight Products, Sussex County School Board, or Murphy Brown.
Here are a few of the most common jobs and salaries in Wakefield and the rest of the Richmond metropolitan area, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Special education teachers: $56,280
- Marriage and family therapists: $67,140
- Human resources specialists: $72,010
- Postsecondary teachers: $81,070
- Mechanical engineers: $94,550
- Construction managers: $109,510
- Dentists: $165,820
If you are interested in jobs in Wakefield, VA, try searching on Indeed for ‘jobs in Wakefield, Virginia.’ Wakefield VA employment opportunities are available on the town’s website if you’re hunting for local careers.
Wakefield VA Schools
There are no public middle schools or high schools in Wakefield.The only school located within Wakefield is the Tidewater Academy, which is a private college preparatory school.
Students in the area will travel out of Wakefield to attend schools in the Sussex County Public School District. The SCPD serves 1,045 students across one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. The student body at Sussex County Public Schools is very diverse, with a racial and ethnic composition of 71.8% Black or African American, 21.0% White (16.4% Non-Hispanic), 1.6% two or more races, 0.6% Asian or Pacific Islander, 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native.
Those living in Wakefield can utilize the Troxler Memorial Library.
Wakefield VA Statistics & Information
- County: Essex County
- Wakefield area: 1.29 square miles
- Wakefield zip code: 23888
- Wakefield area code: 757, 948
- Wakefield elevation: 98 feet
- Wakefield time zone: Eastern Daylight Time (EST)
Closest major airport to Wakefield: Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF)– 46 miles east of Wakefield.
Wakefield VA Map
Ready to start the process of moving to Wakefield VA? Allow our professional Wakefield movers to give you a quick and easy relocation! Call On The Fly Moving today at 804-836-4954!
