Fredericksburg Virginia real estate
Few cities can compare to the allure and history of Fredericksburg , Virginia . Real estate in this area is in high demand, with an average selling price under $150,000 and with properties values consistently on the rise. The city of Fredericksburg covers a geographic area of approximately 10.5 square miles and consists of a total population estimated at just fewer than 21,000. Fredericksburg is considered part of the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area and the city is conveniently located just 50 miles south of Washington , D.C. and about 55 miles north of Richmond, Virginia, on the Rappahannock River.
Historically, Fredericksburg, Virginia homes have served as the birthplace and childhood residence of many famous athletes, including major league baseball players such as John Maine of the Baltimore Orioles and Mike Matthews of the New York Mets. NFL player David Kimball of the New York Giants was also born here in Fredericksburg, as well as college basketball players such as Chris Darnell of William and Mary Tribe, John Frye of the Air Force Falcons and Tim Allmond of the VMI Keydets.
The origins of Fredericksburg are well-documented in history, as the city was initially developed as the colonial Virginia's frontier migrated west from the coastal plain. A fort was established on the Rappahannock River in 1676, which gave way to attract more settlements. A German settlement was established on one of the Rappahannock's tributaries, to initiate an expedition across the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fredericksburg was established as a port in 1728, and named for Frederick, Prince of Wales, son of King George II.
Fredericksburg was known as the county seat for approximately 50 years, until the courthouse was moved closer to the center of the county. Finally, in 1781, Fredericksburg was incorporated as a town and became an independent city in 1879. Throughout history, the city of Fredericksburg maintained close connections with George Washington, several Revolutionary War generals and U.S. president James Monroe. The Richmond , Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad provided much-needed access to the city, linking it to the state capitol in Richmond , providing Fredericksburg with strategic location during the American Civil War. Two battles were fought within Fredericksburg proper, the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Chancellorsville campaign, and two nearby skirmishes included the Battle of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House in 1864. As war came to a close, Fredericksburg recovered well and rebuilt itself as a local trade port, and the city gradually grew beyond its original prowess.
Although American history is fascinating, you may find yourself wondering what kind of people reside in Fredericksburg today. The age of an average Fredericksburg resident is approximately 30 years old, and more than 80 percent of all residents are high school graduates and about half are married. About a third of people living in Fredericksburg hold at least a bachelor's degree, and the average household income in the area is approximately $47,000 annually.
Local industries in Fredericksburg include the fields of education, retail trade, health and social services, professional, management and administrative services, scientific services, and services in the arts, entertainment, recreation and food services. These businesses offer employment and economic stability, as well as room for fiscal growth. Fredericksburg 's population is fairly evenly split by gender, with about 55 percent female and 45 percent male. Owners of Fredericksburg , Virginia homes enjoy a reasonable average commute time of less than 25 minutes each way.
The number of higher education facilities in and around Fredericksburg is truly staggering. Within city limits of Fredericksburg, two institutions offer graduate and post-graduate degrees: Mary Washington College and the Fredericksburg campus of Strayer University. Mary Washington College has been re cognized as one of the nation's top small colleges by national publications such as U.S. News, The Princeton Review and Barron's Profiles of American Colleges. Fredericksburg is also home to three private trade schools: the Cosmetology Training Center, the Fredericksburg Bible Institute and Dominion Bureau of Investigation, Inc.
Additionally, less than an hour's drive away, you'll find the College of Southern Maryland, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College , J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College, Marymount University , George Washington University and American University. With its close proximity to so many local universities, Fredericksburg is home to a high number of college students, which results in an average age below that of the state average. Despite high numbers of renters and available apartments, the area does offer a host of Fredericksburg, VA homes for sale.
Families with school-age children will be delighted by the number of educational choices available. In addition to four public high schools, Fredericksburg is home to an additional three private schools enrolling students in kindergarten through grade 12. Plus, a number of public and private middle schools are located within Fredericksburg , including a Catholic, Baptist and Christian school as well as a Montessori school. The Central Rappahannock Regional Library is an excellent local resource with a substantial annual operating income for a region of this size.
Although Fredericksburg is often mistakenly thought of as part of Stafford County, Fredericksburg is actually an independent city. Two factors are most likely responsible for the ongoing confusion. First, unlike most other states, cities and counties are considered completely separate in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Secondly, some residents in southern Stafford hold a Fredericksburg mailing address simply because historically, the Fredericksburg post office was originally responsible for handling part of Stafford County 's mail.
Two local medical facilities are located within Fredericksburg: Mary Washington Hospital and Snowden at Fredericksburg, Inc. Less than 30 minutes away, you'll also find Potomac Hospital, Prince William Hospital and Civista Medical Center. Fredericksburg also offers convenient access to Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Nearby regional airports are less than 15 minutes away by car and include Shannon, Stafford Regional and Hartwood.
Besides local convenience facilities and necessary services, Fredericksburg is home to a host of recreational venues and historic sites. The Twin Lakes reservoir, as well as various streams, rivers and creeks offer an array of warm weather outdoor activities on the water. Additionally, Fredericksburg includes a number of parks and designated recreational areas, to allow residents the opportunity to enjoy life outdoors in the beautiful northern Virginia climate. Historic sites of note include the George Washington Masonic Museum , the Saint James House, Russell Hall, Madison Hall, Francis Willard Hall, and many more. Fredericksburg includes a number of churches and houses of worship, to accommodate a diverse population.
Despite its small stature, Fredericksburg offers seven local shopping centers, enabling residents to handle most purchases locally without having to travel into the larger nearby metropolitan areas of D.C. or Richmond . Recreational facilities include the Shannon Green Golf Course, the Rising Sun Tavern, and a number of local art galleries. The city produces its own daily newspaper, called the Free Lance-Star, and is home to several local radio stations, in addition to receiving strong radio and television signals from Washington and Richmond stations.
If you're in the market for a Fredericksburg , Virginia new home, contact our local Coldwell Banker office at 866-865-8460. You'll want to partner with a Fredericksburg, Virginia Realtor who's intensely familiar with the local market and can assist you in creating a smooth and enjoyable home buying process. Contact the real estate professionals at Coldwell Banker today.
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