GLOUCESTER COUNTY, VA

County Offices
6467 Main Street
Gloucester 804-693-4042
www.gloucesterva.info

Chamber of Commerce
3558 George Washington Memorial Highway
Hayes 804-693-2425
www.gloucestervachamber.org

Gloucester County is strategically situated in the southeastern portion of Virginia’s Middle Peninsula in a water-rich area that includes rolling rivers and Mobjack Bay. The county’s industries have been heavily influenced by the natural resources found in the region, although the county’s centralized location along the Eastern Seaboard has driven an increase in diverse manufacturing activity. The Virginia capital city of Richmond is just 60 miles to the west and the Port of Hampton Roads is 45 miles south.

Services
The availability of quality opportunities for educational advancement on all academic levels is a hallmark of Gloucester County, underlined by the Gloucester Public School District. A number of private schools provide alternative learning environments, from respected parochial schools to outstanding independent schools like Ware Academy. Opportunities for a higher education abound in this region, combining career institutes, community colleges, and public or private colleges and universities. The list includes easily accessible institutions like Rappahannock Community College, Thomas Nelson Community College, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (a division of William & Mary College). Within an hour’s commute, students can attend Virginia Union University, Norfolk State University, Hampton University, the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University, and Virginia Wesleyan College. The Chesapeake Marine Training Institute is another unique resource.

State-of-the-art healthcare services and facilities are close to home for Gloucester County residents, with the Riverside Walter Reed Hospital anchoring a network of convenient medical and surgical centers. The hospital ensures leading-edge technology, a skilled and caring staff, and a wide range of services that include 24-hour emergency care. Part of the Riverside Health System, this hospital has grown into a diverse and comprehensive community hospital that is capable of providing the most advanced techniques in a patient-centered environment. Specializations include inpatient, outpatient, and home-based services such as advanced imaging, nuclear medicine, home health, hospice, dialysis, therapies, cardiac rehabilitation, sports medicine, and proactive health screenings. Throughout the area, skilled professionals meet every routine and many specialized needs close to home.

Lifestyle
Newcomers adapt easily to Gloucester County’s relaxed lifestyle and country charm. One of the highlights of this picturesque county is the annual calendar of events that bring friends and families together. Included on this list are the Gloucester County Harvest Days, the Underground Railroad exhibit, the seasonal Farmer’s Market, the delightful Concerts on the Green, the Daffodil Festival, the Gloucester County Fair, and the Gloucester Renaissance Festival. Other favorites include the Holiday Parade, the Tree Illumination, Haunted Trail and History Trail, and the Fourth of July Celebration. The family-friendly atmosphere and traditional values in Gloucester County make it particularly attractive to young residents with children. Volunteerism runs high in this active community where a close-knit spirit prevails in every aspect of daily life.

The Parks and Recreation Department provides a wide range of activities and programs that appeal to a cross-section of interests. Sports, the arts, nature study, and specialty summer camps combine with a wide range of athletics for all ages. With five rivers in Gloucester County, residents tend to spend much of their recreational and leisure time “on the water.” Outdoor attractions are available around every corner. Beaverdam Park provides the only public fresh-water fishing on the Middle Peninsula, while Gloucester Point Beach Park encourages visitors and residents alike to grab their fishing poles and bring in the big one. One of the area’s finest assets is the availability of quality, affordable housing. County residents are proud of their homes and properties, which is reflected in the care given to meticulously landscaped lawns. The housing options are attractive and diverse, from historic homes or quaint farmhouses to contemporary townhomes, country manors, and multi-acre country estates. Few locales in the nation can rival Gloucester County for a serene living environment in close proximity to world-class urban amenities.