Is Henrico County a Good Place to Live? Short Pump, Glen Allen & Three Chopt Compared

(Yes. Also, yes. Also, still yes. But here's what actually sets these areas apart.)

I get asked about Henrico almost as often as I get asked about my own backyard in Chesterfield.

And honestly? I get it. Henrico wraps around three sides of Richmond, which means you get city-adjacent convenience without giving up suburban space, and that combination is exactly why it stays one of the most in-demand corners of Metro Richmond.

Let's break down what actually makes each pocket of Henrico different, so you're not just picking a name off a map.

The retail-and-restaurant hub, and one of the fastest-recognized names for buyers relocating from out of state.

Home to Short Pump Town Center and a huge concentration of dining/shopping Strong pull for buyers working at or near Capital One's West Creek campus Newer construction and higher-end subdivisions push this toward the top of Henrico's price range

Best for: buyers who want walkable retail, newer builds, and don't mind paying a premium for the convenience.

Quieter, more established, and home to Dominion Energy's headquarters, which anchors a huge share of local employment.

A mix of mature neighborhoods and newer development Close enough to Short Pump's amenities without the same price tag Popular with move-up buyers who want more yard, less crowd

Best for: buyers who want established-neighborhood charm with easy highway access to both Richmond and points west.

The area that's seen some of the most sustained growth in the county over the past decade, a mix of Tuckahoe, Innsbrook, and the neighborhoods feeding into well-regarded school pipelines.

Strong, consistent demand from families prioritizing schools Innsbrook's corporate campus keeps a steady flow of local employment nearby A wide range of housing stock, from starter homes to larger estates

Best for: families who want to plant roots somewhere with long-term stability.

Here's one real, concrete number: Henrico County's real estate tax rate is $0.83 per $100 of assessed value for 2026, per Henrico County's own Finance Department.

Since everyone reading this is going to want the comparison anyway, here's how that stacks up against the areas right next door, straight from each locality's own records:

Henrico comes in the lowest of the three, Chesterfield sits just above it, and Richmond City runs meaningfully higher, about $1,480 a year more than Henrico on an identical $400,000 home. That's not a "trust me" number. That's straight from each locality's own finance department and city council record.

There's no single "best" answer between Short Pump, Glen Allen, and Three Chopt, it genuinely depends on whether you're chasing walkability, quiet established streets, or school-district stability.

What I can tell you is this: Henrico isn't a consolation prize for people priced out of somewhere else. It's a destination in its own right, and each of these pockets has its own personality worth understanding before you pick one.

Real estate doesn't have to feel overwhelming, even in a county as spread out as Henrico.

Sources:

• Henrico County, Virginia, Approved Tax Rates and Schedule: https://henrico.gov/finance/approved-tax-rates-and-schedule/
• Chesterfield County, Virginia, Real Estate Assessments: https://www.chesterfield.gov/823/Real-Estate-Assessments
• City of Richmond, Virginia, City Council Ordinance No. 2025-207 (2026 real estate tax rate)

Weighing a move in Midlothian, Chesterfield County or Metro Richmond? I'm Christine Case, a REALTOR® with NextHome Advantage, and I would rather help you understand your options than rush you into anything. Start with what living in Midlothian is really like, browse more straight answers on the blog, or send me your question and I'll answer it myself.