Richmond is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of 2021, the population of Richmond was 226,610 people, making it the 4th largest city in Virginia. The Richmond Metropolitan Area, which includes surrounding counties, has a population of 1.3 million. Here is an in-depth look at Richmond and its population.
History
Richmond was founded in 1737 by English colonist William Byrd II on the James River. It soon became a major trading hub and was incorporated as a town in 1742. By 1780, Richmond had become a major industrial center and was made the capital of Virginia. The city served as the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865 and was the site of intense fighting. After the war, Richmond struggled economically but began to recover in the late 19th century, becoming a major railroad hub. The city modernized and expanded significantly in the early 20th century. Major employers like Philip Morris and Reynolds Metal were established. The population boomed following World War II. Racial tensions culminated in protests and riots in the 1960s. Recent decades have seen revitalization efforts focused on Richmond’s downtown and riverfront areas.
Demographics
According to the 2021 US Census estimates, Richmond had a population of 226,610 residents. The racial makeup of the population was as follows:
- 47.8% Black or African American
- 42.9% White
- 2.7% Asian
- 0.3% Native American
- 0.1% Pacific Islander
- 3.4% Other race
- 2.9% Two or more races
- 6.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race
The median age in Richmond is 34.6 years old. 22.5% of the population is under 18 years old and 12.7% is aged 65 or older. There are slightly more females (52.4%) than males (47.6%).
The Census Bureau estimates there are 91,251 households in the city with an average of 2.29 persons per household. 64.8% are family households and 35.2% are non-family. 30.7% of households have children under 18 years old living with them.
Economy and Major Employers
Richmond has a diversified economy with major industries including finance, law, manufacturing, and healthcare. Some of the top employers in Richmond are:
- VCU Health System (13,500 employees)
- Allegion (1,500 employees) – security products
- Genworth Financial (3,000 employees) – insurance
- Amazon (1,500 employees) – fulfillment center
- Capital One Financial (1,300 employees)
- Hamilton Beach Brands (1,265 employees) – home appliances
The finance and insurance sector accounts for 13% of jobs in Richmond. Major banks headquartered in the city include Atlantic Union Bank, Xenith Bank, and Village Bank. Top insurers include Genworth, Markel, and Unum.
Healthcare employs about 11% of Richmond’s workforce. In addition to being the city’s top employer, VCU Health operates the Children’s Hospital of Richmond and over 200 clinics in the region. Other major medical facilities include Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital, Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, and Retreat Doctors’ Hospital.
Manufacturing accounts for 7% of jobs in Richmond. Major manufacturing companies include Allegion (security products), Hamilton Beach Brands (small appliances), WestRock (paper and packaging), and Luck Companies (stone products). Philip Morris, one of Richmond’s historically largest employers, still operates a major cigarette manufacturing facility in the city.
The service sector, including retail, food service, education, and hospitality, accounts for a large portion of Richmond’s economy. Top employers in this sector include Richmond Public Schools, Groome Transportation (shuttle services), and the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa.
Major companies headquartered in Richmond include semiconductor manufacturer Allegro MicroSystems, food distributor Performance Food Group, and brass fittings manufacturer Mueller Industries.
Richmond benefits from its location at the midpoint of the East Coast and its access to major transportation infrastructure. The Port of Richmond facilitates shipping along the James River. Richmond International Airport provides connections worldwide. Major interstates including I-95, I-64, and I-85 intersect in the city.
Landmarks
Some of the most famous landmarks in Richmond include:
- Richmond National Battlefield Park – contains 13 Civil War sites including battlefields and trenches
- Historic Jamestowne – site of the first permanent English settlement in America
- Virginia State Capitol – designed by Thomas Jefferson, completed in 1788
- Maymont – 100 acre Victorian estate and park from the Gilded Age
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – has over 33,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years
- Dominion Energy Building – Richmond’s tallest building at 649 ft and 45 stories tall
- Hollywood Cemetery – burial site of two US Presidents and 18,000 Confederate soldiers
Richmond’s historic Church Hill neighborhood contains St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. Monument Avenue is a grand tree-lined boulevard with monuments to Confederate leaders. Shockoe Bottom on the James River has warehouses and buildings from Richmond’s days as a trading hub and industrial center.
Sports
Richmond does not have any major professional sports teams but does have several minor league and college teams.
The Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team is the AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. They play at the Diamond stadium. The Richmond Kickers soccer team plays in the lower-division USL League One at City Stadium.
In college sports, the VCU Rams field competitive Division I basketball, soccer, tennis, and more. The Rams play basketball at the Stuart C. Siegel Center arena on VCU’s campus.
Richmond Raceway hosts two major NASCAR races each year – the Toyota Owners 400 and Federated Auto Parts 400. The track is in a suburb east of the city.
Richmond does not have a major pro team but spectators can easily travel to watch the Washington Football Team, Washington Capitals, Baltimore Orioles, and other DC/Baltimore area teams play.
Government
Richmond uses a council-manager system of government. The mayor and city council are elected by citizens. The Richmond City Council passes legislation and appoints officials. The City Manager runs day-to-day operations. The current mayor is Levar Stoney and the council has 9 members.
Richmond is an independent city meaning it is not part of any county, similar to other Virginia cities like Fairfax and Alexandria. However, state law does give Richmond many attributes of a county including courts, taxes, and sheriffs.
For more information on Richmond’s local government see the City of Richmond’s website. Residents can also connect through the City’s Facebook page.
Tourism
Richmond is an attractive tourist destination with its historic sites, architecture, museums, restaurants, and outdoor recreation. Popular attractions include:
- Battlefields – Richmond National Battlefield Park
- Maymont – Victorian mansion and gardens
- Virginia State Capitol – Thomas Jefferson-designed
- Dominion Energy Building – skyscraper with observation deck
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – 33,000 works of art
- Richmond Riverfront – trails, parks, and events along the James River
- Canal Walk – river walk with shops and restaurants
- Kings Dominion – large theme park north of Richmond
Popular events that attract tourists include the Richmond Folk Festival, Dominion Energy Riverrock festival, weekly Friday Cheers concerts, the Richmond Jazz Festival, and more.
Restaurants in Richmond reflect the city’s blend of historical and modern influences. Food styles range from classical French cuisine to hip farm-to-table eateries to African and Asian fusions.
Major hotel chains have locations downtown, by the airport, and in suburbs. Historic inns and B&Bs can also be found around the city. When visiting Richmond, tourists have their choice of high-end or budget accommodations.
Richmond attracts over 6 million visitors per year. Tourism supported over 20,000 jobs and $165 million in state tax revenue in 2017 according to the Virginia Tourism Corporation. Richmond has proven itself to be a vibrant and compelling destination for travelers interested in history, culture, food, and the outdoors.