What is the property tax rate in Richmond County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Richmond County, Virginia is approximately 1.20%.

Richmond County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — Virginia Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in Richmond County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Richmond-area residents — and for anyone considering a move to Richmond (an independent city) — including Virginia's 100% assessment ratio, the locality-set Real Estate Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled (income-based), and the constitutional 100% Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption (passed by voters in 2010, effective Jan 2011).

Richmond, an independent city in the Hampton Roads or Richmond metro operates under Virginia's distinctive property tax structure. Virginia uses 100% assessment ratio (assessed at full fair market value) and each locality (county OR independent city) sets its own real estate tax rate. Virginia is unique among US states in having 38 independent cities that operate as both city and county for governance and tax purposes.

How the bill is built

Virginia's property tax calculation is straightforward. Step 1: Assessed Value. Richmond City Assessor reassesses your property at fair market value (some localities reassess annually, others biennially or longer). Step 2: Apply rate. Tax = AV × locality rate per $100. Richmond's combined rate is approximately $1.200 per $100 of AV. Total bill = (AV × rate) / 100. Step 3: Apply exemptions. Disabled veterans receive the full constitutional exemption (since 2011). Seniors and disabled residents may qualify for locality-set Real Estate Tax Relief programs.

Virginia's 100% Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption is one of the most-comprehensive in the United States. Approved by Virginia voters in 2010 (Constitution of Virginia, Article X, Section 6-A) and effective January 2011, the exemption provides FULL exemption from real estate tax on the dwelling and surrounding land (typically up to 1 acre) for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled by the VA. Surviving spouses (unmarried) of 100% disabled veterans retain the exemption. Surviving spouses of US service members killed in action ALSO receive the full exemption regardless of veteran's disability status. No income limit applies.

Real Estate Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled is locality-set. Each Virginia locality (county or independent city) sets its own income-based real estate tax relief program for residents 65+ and permanently disabled. Income limits and reduction percentages vary widely — Fairfax County provides up to 100% exemption with income under ~$72K; Henrico County provides up to 100% with income under ~$77K; Norfolk provides 25-100% sliding scale. Apply with your locality's Commissioner of the Revenue or Real Estate Assessor.

Independent cities operate as both city and county. Virginia's 38 independent cities (including Richmond itself) handle their own assessment, tax collection, and local government services — they are not part of any county. This is unique to Virginia in the United States. The independent city structure means residents pay one combined real estate tax to the city (covering both city AND former-county-equivalent services).

2026 Richmond County rate breakdown (dollars per $100 of AV (100% assessment ratio), Richmond district)

Taxing entity	Rate
City of Richmond Real Estate Tax (~$1.20 / $100 AV)	1.2000
Combined total	1.2000

As of April 26, 2026 · From Richmond City Assessor.

Note: Richmond is an **independent city** and the **capital of Virginia** — Virginia's third state capital (after Jamestown 1607-1699 and Williamsburg 1699-1780) and the second capital of the Confederate States of America (1861-1865, after Montgomery, AL). Richmond is the cultural, governmental, and historical center of central Virginia, anchored by the Virginia State Capitol (designed by Thomas Jefferson, 1788), Virginia Commonwealth University (~30,000 students), and the historic Monument Avenue corridor.

Note: Richmond effective property tax rates run approximately 1.20% — among the highest in Virginia and significantly higher than the surrounding suburbs (Henrico 0.85%, Chesterfield 0.91%). Virginia 100% assessment ratio applies. As an independent city, Richmond handles its own real estate assessment and tax collection. The city's tax burden reflects substantial urban infrastructure costs combined with a relatively limited residential tax base (Richmond's peak population was 249,621 in 1970; current ~230K, partially recovered from a 2000 low of 197K).

Note: For relocation buyers: Richmond offers the urban Virginia choice — historic walkable neighborhoods (The Fan, Church Hill, Carytown, Manchester), VCU/MCV anchor institutions, and a thriving arts/dining scene. The trade-off is much higher property tax rates than the surrounding counties — moving from Richmond to Henrico or Chesterfield can save $1,000-$2,000/year in property tax on similar-priced homes. Richmond Public Schools struggles compared to surrounding suburban districts. The city has been undergoing significant gentrification in neighborhoods like Manchester (formerly industrial), Scott's Addition (formerly industrial, now restaurant/brewery district), and Church Hill.

Tax relief and exemptions for 2026

Virginia's homeowner tax relief is unusual: there is no statewide homestead exemption (unlike most US states). Instead, each locality (county or independent city) sets its own income-based Real Estate Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled program. The constitutional 100% Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption (since 2011) is statewide.

Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption (constitutional)

Approved by Virginia voters in November 2010 (Constitution of Virginia, Article X, Section 6-A) and effective January 1, 2011, this is among the most-comprehensive disabled-veteran property tax exemptions in the United States. Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled by the VA — including 100% individual unemployability ratings — receive full exemption from real estate tax on their primary residence (dwelling and surrounding land, typically up to 1 acre; localities can set higher limits). No income limit applies. Surviving spouses (unmarried) of 100% disabled veterans retain the exemption. Surviving spouses of US service members killed in action ALSO receive the full exemption, regardless of veteran's disability rating.

Apply with your locality's Commissioner of the Revenue or Real Estate Assessor with VA documentation of disability rating. Application is typically a one-time process; the exemption renews automatically unless circumstances change.

Real Estate Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled (locality-set)

Each Virginia locality sets its own income-based program for residents 65+ or permanently disabled. Income limits and reduction percentages vary widely:

Fairfax County: up to 100% exemption (income under ~$72K), sliding scale up to ~$100K
Arlington County: up to 100% (income under ~$99K)
Henrico County: up to 100% (income under ~$77K)
Norfolk: 25-100% sliding scale (income under ~$67K)
Virginia Beach: up to 100% (income under ~$80K)

Apply annually with your locality's Commissioner of the Revenue or Assessor. Most localities require proof of age, income, and asset documentation.

Independent City structure

Virginia is unique among US states in having 38 independent cities that operate as both city and county for governance, assessment, and tax collection purposes. Independent cities (including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Richmond among the largest) handle their own assessment and collect a single combined real estate tax — there is no separate "county" portion. This contrasts with most states where city residents pay both city and county property taxes. The independent city designation dates to 1871 and reflects Virginia's Reconstruction-era urban governance reforms.

Appealing your assessment

Virginia's appeal process runs through the local Board of Equalization (BOE) — each locality has its own. Homeowners file an Application for Review with the Richmond City Assessor typically within 30-90 days of receiving the annual reassessment notice (deadlines vary by locality). The BOE holds hearings during the assessment cycle — homeowners can present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or independent appraiser testimony. BOE decisions can be appealed to the local Circuit Court within 1 year. Some localities (including Fairfax) reassess annually; others reassess every 2-6 years.

Cities and towns in Richmond County

Richmond County contains 6 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Richmond to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside Richmond County is subject to Richmond County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Richmond County seat	independent_city	230,000
The Fan	unincorporated	13,500
Church Hill	unincorporated	11,000
Manchester	unincorporated	9,500
Carytown	unincorporated	5,500
Scott's Addition	unincorporated	3,500

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Richmond tax district. Other cities in Richmond County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the Richmond City Assessor before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are Virginia property taxes due?

Virginia real estate taxes are typically billed semi-annually. Richmond: due quarterly (typically June 5, September 5, December 5, March 31), though some independent cities use a semi-annual schedule. Late payments incur a 10% penalty plus interest at 10% annual rate. Most localities offer escrow-via-mortgage payment processing automatically.

What does it mean that Richmond is an "independent city"?

Virginia is unique among US states in having 38 independent cities that are not part of any county — these cities operate as both city AND county for tax, governance, and assessment purposes. Richmond is one of these independent cities. Residents of independent cities pay one combined real estate tax to the city (not separate city + county taxes). The independent city designation dates to 1871 (Constitutional Convention) and reflects Virginia's Reconstruction-era urban governance reforms. The five largest Virginia independent cities are Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, and Newport News.

How do I apply for the Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption?

Virginia's 100% Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption (state constitutional, since January 2011) provides full exemption from real estate tax on the primary residence. Apply with your locality's Commissioner of the Revenue or Real Estate Assessor with VA documentation showing 100% service-connected disability rating (including 100% individual unemployability ratings). No income limit applies. Surviving spouses (unmarried) of 100% disabled veterans retain the exemption. Surviving spouses of US service members killed in action ALSO receive the full exemption, regardless of veteran's disability status. Application is typically a one-time process; the exemption renews automatically.

How do I appeal my Virginia assessment?

File an Application for Review with the Richmond City Assessor typically within 30-90 days of receiving the annual reassessment notice (deadlines vary by locality). Most localities have a Board of Equalization (BOE) that holds hearings during the assessment cycle — homeowners can present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or independent appraiser testimony. BOE decisions can be appealed to the local Circuit Court within 1 year. Some localities (including Fairfax) reassess annually; others reassess every 2-6 years.

About Richmond County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

Richmond was the **capital of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865** — and the city was nearly burned to the ground when Confederate forces evacuated on April 2-3, 1865, setting fire to tobacco warehouses and supply depots to prevent capture by advancing Union forces. The fires spread out of control and destroyed approximately 25% of downtown Richmond. President Lincoln visited the captured city on April 4, 1865, walking through the still-smoking ruins; he was assassinated 11 days later. The Capitol Square area survived, including the Virginia State Capitol building.

Hometown hero

Edgar Allan Poe

The American writer, poet, and literary critic (1809-1849) lived in Richmond from age 2 to age 16 (1811-1826) and again as an adult (1835-1837), making Richmond Poe's most-significant residence. Poe attended the University of Virginia briefly, married his 13-year-old cousin Virginia Clemm in Richmond in 1836, and worked as editor of the Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond. The Poe Museum of Richmond (in the Old Stone House, the oldest surviving building in Richmond) is the most-significant Poe museum in the United States, with the world's largest collection of Poe memorabilia.

Biggest annual event

Richmond Folk Festival + UCI Road World Championships heritage

The Richmond Folk Festival (annual, October on the Brown's Island riverfront) is one of the largest free folk music festivals in the United States, drawing 200,000+ attendees over 3 days. Richmond also hosted the **UCI Road World Championships** in 2015 — the most-significant cycling event in North America, drawing 645,000 spectators and putting Richmond on the international cycling map. Annual events at Brown's Island, Maymont, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts continue to draw significant regional attendance.

Property Tax in Richmond County, 2026