Moving to New Kent, Virginia?
Everything You Need to Know.
The definitive guide for anyone researching New Kent County as a place to live — from housing and taxes to schools, commute times, and what makes this community truly special.
In This Guide
What's it like to live in New Kent County?
New Kent County sits along Interstate 64 in Virginia's historic Tidewater region, roughly halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg. With a population of about 27,000 residents spread across 210 square miles, it's one of those rare places where you can drive five minutes and feel like you've stepped into another century — rolling farmland, timber-frame barns, split-rail fences, and the occasional vineyard row stretching to the horizon.
Don't mistake rural for remote. Richmond is about 35 minutes west, Williamsburg roughly 20–25 minutes east, and multiple military installations — Fort Eustis, Langley Air Force Base, Naval Station Norfolk — are within an hour's drive. That central location is exactly why so many military families and young professionals have chosen to plant roots here.
New Kent was established in 1702 and named for the English county of Kent. Today it's known for its wineries (more than 20 within a short drive), championship golf courses, colonial history, and a tight-knit community that still waves from the porch. If you're looking for a place where your kids can ride bikes on quiet roads, where Friday night means a winery concert under the stars, and where a 35-minute commute feels like a country drive — New Kent might be exactly what you're looking for.
What are the main neighborhoods and communities?
New Kent County is made up of four primary communities, each with its own character. Whether you want a golf-course lifestyle, riverfront living, or quiet acreage, there's a corner of New Kent that fits.
New Kent
The county seat and heart of the community. Home to the historic courthouse, New Kent Winery, Colonial Downs racetrack, and a growing selection of restaurants and shops. It's the cultural and social hub of the county with a mix of established homes, new construction, and rural acreage.
Explore New KentQuinton
The family-friendly corridor along Route 249. Quinton is known for its highly rated schools, newer subdivisions, the Quinton Community Center, and a peaceful pace. Popular with young families and anyone who wants easy access to the I-64 corridor.
Explore QuintonProvidence Forge
The fastest-growing community in the county. Known for championship golf (Royal New Kent and Brickshire), master-planned communities, and proximity to Crawfords State Forest. Home prices range from the $400Ks to $650K+ in premium communities.
Explore Providence ForgeLanexa
Riverfront living on the Chickahominy and Pamunkey Rivers. Lanexa offers kayaking, fishing, and outdoor recreation with single-family homes typically ranging from $360K to $638K. It's the most rural, nature-focused corner of the county.
Explore LanexaNotable Planned Communities
What does the housing market look like?
The median home price in New Kent County is approximately $440,000 as of early 2026, up about 7.3% year-over-year. Compared to nearby Richmond (median ~$310K) and Williamsburg (median ~$400K), New Kent offers a premium for space, privacy, and community — but you get a lot more land for your dollar.
Here's what you can typically find at different price points:
- • Single-family homes on modest lots
- • Older homes with good bones, some updated
- • Townhomes and condominiums
- • Rural homes on smaller parcels
- • New construction in planned communities
- • Move-in ready homes in Brickshire, Five Lakes
- • 3–4 bed homes on 1–5 acre lots
- • Updated farmhouses with modern amenities
- • Custom homes on 5–20+ acres
- • Estate properties in Viniterra and Royal New Kent
- • Waterfront and river-adjacent lots
- • Working farms and large acreage properties
What about land?
New Kent remains one of the most accessible counties in the region for purchasing raw land. Individual parcels from 2 acres to 20+ acres are regularly available, many with no HOA restrictions. This is ideal for buyers who want to build a custom home or want the rural lifestyle without subdivision rules.
How does New Kent compare on cost of living?
New Kent County's cost of living runs slightly above the national average — about 3–5% higher overall — but it's the housing costs that drive the difference. Everything else — groceries, healthcare, transportation — is roughly in line with regional norms.
The tradeoff is significant: you're getting substantially more space, privacy, and quality of life compared to denser suburban areas closer to Richmond or Hampton Roads. Many residents find that the lower density, no-traffic-commute lifestyle more than offsets the housing premium.
What should relocators know about personal property taxes?
New Kent Does NOT Prorate Personal Property Taxes
This is one of the most important things relocators need to understand about New Kent County. Virginia counties handle personal property taxes differently, and New Kent's policy has real financial implications if you're moving mid-year.
Here's how it works: Your personal property tax liability is based on what you own in the county as of January 1st of that year. Whatever vehicles, trailers, boats, and other taxable personal property you have registered in New Kent County on January 1st is what you'll be taxed on for the entire year — regardless of when you actually moved in or out.
What this means if you move to New Kent:
- If you move into New Kent before January 1st, your vehicles will be assessed for the full year's personal property tax.
- If you move into New Kent after January 1st, your vehicles won't be taxed by New Kent for that year — but your previous locality will still tax them for the full year (since your vehicles were there on their January 1st date).
- You may end up paying personal property tax to two localities in the year of your move, depending on timing.
Personal property tax rate: $3.75 per $100 of assessed value. This applies to vehicles, trailers, campers, boats, and other taxable personal property.
Taxes are due December 5th each year. You'll receive a bill from the New Kent County Treasurer's office.
Pro Tip for Military Families
If you're PCS-ing to New Kent, timing matters. Talk to Shannon about the tax implications of your move date — particularly if you have multiple vehicles. A few days' difference in your closing or move-in date could save you hundreds in double-taxation. Virginia also offers a military exemption for vehicles owned by active-duty service members stationed outside the state, which may apply during deployments.
What are the real estate tax rates?
New Kent County's real estate tax rate is $0.59 per $100 of assessed value (as of fiscal year 2024/2025). This is notably lower than many surrounding localities, which is one reason New Kent is attractive to homeowners who want more land without a punishing tax bill.
For a home assessed at $440,000 (the current median), that works out to approximately $2,596 per year in county real estate taxes — roughly $216/month. Keep in mind that your actual tax bill may also include any applicable regional or special district levies.
The county reassesses property values periodically. If you believe your assessment is too high, you have the right to appeal through the Board of Equalization.
How are the schools in New Kent?
New Kent County Public Schools serves approximately 3,500 students and is one of the standout school systems in Virginia. The entire division is 100% fully accredited — every single school meets or exceeds Virginia Department of Education standards, and the district consistently ranks in Virginia's top tier for SOL performance.
New Kent High School
Grades 9–12 · Home of the Trojans
Consistently ranks among the top high schools in Virginia. Offers robust AP coursework, dual enrollment with local colleges, and highly competitive athletics. U.S. News ranks it among the best in the state.
New Kent Middle School
Grades 6–8 · Performance Score: 87.9 (On Track)
Strong arts programs, middle school athletics, and student-focused development tracking. Under Virginia's new School Performance Framework, rated "On Track."
Quinton Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · Performance Score: 91.2 (Distinguished)
Newly constructed with state-of-the-art interactive classrooms. Earned "Distinguished" status — the highest tier in Virginia's performance framework.
New Kent Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · Performance Score: 88.8 (On Track)
Located near the historic courthouse core. Vibrant community support with strong parent-teacher coordination and consistent academic performance.
George W. Watkins Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · Performance Score: 94.1 (Distinguished)
Serves the Providence Forge area. The highest-performing elementary in the county with "Distinguished" status and exemplary scores in literacy development and fine arts.
What utilities and services should I know about?
New Kent's rural character means utility setup varies more than in a typical suburb. Here's what to expect and who to call before closing day.
Electricity
Dominion serves virtually all properties in the county. Call 3–5 days before closing to schedule activation.
Water & Sewage
Many rural properties in New Kent use private well and septic systems. Established subdivisions like Brickshire and Viniterra are on public water and sewer lines managed by the county or Aqua Virginia. Check with your real estate agent about which applies to any property you're considering.
Internet & Cable
Cox has expanded high-speed fiber-optic access extensively throughout the county. Verizon Fios is available in select areas. Astound and satellite options (Viasat, T-Mobile Home Internet) fill in the gaps. Availability varies by neighborhood — verify at your specific address before committing.
Trash & Recycling
The county does not provide curbside trash collection. Residents use private haulers (GFL Environmental, RedLine Waste Services, Ambrose Services, or Meridian Waste) or drop off at one of four county refuse centers. A dump sticker/decal is available from the County Treasurer's office.
- Quinton Site: 7050 Airport Rd, Quinton, VA 23141
- Olivet Church Rd Site: 6301 Olivet Church Rd, Providence Forge, VA 23140
- Old Telegraph Rd Site: 12400 Old Telegraph Rd, Providence Forge, VA 23140
- Barhamsville Site: 17120 Polish Town Rd, Barhamsville, VA 23011
What community resources are available?
New Kent County offers a full range of government services and community amenities. Here are the essentials for getting settled.
County Government
New Kent County is governed by a Board of Supervisors. Key offices include the Treasurer (tax payments), Commissioner of Revenue (assessments), Building Permits & Inspections, and Planning & Zoning. Visit the county website for office hours, online services, and meeting schedules.
newkent-va.usHeritage Public Library
A regional library system serving New Kent and Charles City counties. Offers digital resources, children's programming, community events, and a quiet space to work or study. Free library cards for all county residents.
heritagepubliclibrary.orgParks & Recreation
The Department of Parks and Recreation maintains the Quinton Community Center and offers year-round programs for all ages. Outdoor highlights include the Wahrani Nature Trails (Lanexa), Pine Fork Park (Quinton, 55 acres), and Crawfords State Forest (Providence Forge, 258 acres).
Parks & RecPublic Safety
The New Kent County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement. The county operates a volunteer fire-rescue system with multiple stations. Non-emergency: 804-966-9500. For emergencies, dial 911.
Home & Vehicle Insurance
Setting up your insurance is one of the first things on your list when buying a home — and having the right agent in your corner makes a real difference. Shannon works closely with Brightway Insurance, a trusted partner who can shop multiple carriers to find the best coverage and rates for your home, vehicle, and life in New Kent County.
Brightway Insurance
Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, relocating from out of state, or simply shopping for better rates on your auto and home policies, Brightway Insurance compares options from a wide range of carriers to find the right fit. Shannon's clients consistently praise the personalized service and smooth experience — especially during the fast-paced closing process.
Get a Quote from BrightwayHome, auto, and life insurance — Shannon's recommended partner for New Kent residents.
How is the commute from New Kent?
New Kent County's secret weapon is Interstate 64. The highway bisects the county with four exits, making it remarkably easy to get west to Richmond, east to Williamsburg, or southeast to Hampton Roads. When I-64 has construction or congestion, U.S. Route 60 is a reliable alternative that runs parallel through the heart of the county.
Other key roads include State Route 33 (New Kent Highway), State Route 155 (Courthouse Road), and State Route 249 — all well-maintained by VDOT. The I-64 widening project has significantly improved flow, especially during peak commute hours.
Bonus: The Virginia Capital Trail
A 51.7-mile paved multi-use trail connecting Richmond to Williamsburg passes right through New Kent County. Perfect for cycling, running, and walking — and a huge lifestyle perk for outdoor enthusiasts.
What makes New Kent special?
People don't move to New Kent for the convenience of a chain restaurant on every corner. They move here for the lifestyle — the space, the pace, the community, and the things you can do on a Saturday that you simply can't do in the suburbs.
Wine Country
New Kent County is home to more than 20 wineries and vineyards within a short drive. From the grand timber-frame estate at New Kent Winery to the family-friendly lakeside tastings at Jolene Family Winery, the vineyard-riddled countryside is the defining feature of life here. Other favorites include Saudé Creek Vineyards, Gauthier Vineyard (veteran-owned), and Old School Cider House in a converted 1920s schoolhouse.
Explore Things to DoOutdoor Recreation
Fishing and kayaking on the Chickahominy and Pamunkey Rivers. Hiking through Crawfords State Forest (258 acres) or Pine Fork Park. Sporting clays at Old Forge. Championship golf at Royal New Kent, Brickshire, and the Club at Viniterra. The Virginia Capital Trail runs right through the county for cycling enthusiasts.
Explore Things to DoSmall-Town Community
New Kent has that increasingly rare quality: people know their neighbors. The New Kent Farmers Market runs every Saturday in summer. Colonial Downs brings summer racing excitement. Community events like the Independence Day Celebration, winery concert series, and school fundraisers keep the social calendar full. Many of my clients become lifelong friends — and that's exactly the vibe.
Military-Friendly
As a Navy veteran's wife and MRP-certified agent, I can tell you that New Kent is one of the best-kept secrets for military families. The central location between Richmond posts, Fort Gregg-Adams, and Hampton Roads bases means one household, two stations, no dual-housing headaches. VA loan expertise is essential here, and I specialize in making that process seamless from contract to closing.
Moving to New Kent? Let's talk.
I'm Shannon Russell — a Navy veteran's wife, mom, and Military Relocation Professional with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Base Camp. Having lived all around the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas, I know these neighborhoods and what it takes to make a smooth move here. Whether you're PCS-ing across the country or just looking at your first home in New Kent County, I'd love to help.