Henrico, VA, serves as the county seat of Henrico County. The city boasts established neighborhoods filled with historic buildings as well as newer planned communities with modern amenities. Job opportunities abound in the city and the county, attracting families and young professionals alike.
In 1619, the city was established as one of Virginia's eight original counties when the state was still a colony. The county and city were named for Prince Henry, son of the English King James I. More than seven important battles took place around the county during the Civil War. Reminders of the city's past can be seen throughout many of the neighborhoods, such as the Stuart Monument, which marks the site where a Confederate general died in battle. Today, the population of Henrico surpasses 318,000.
Many residents enjoy the activities available at Three Lakes Park and Nature Center . With an aquarium, nature exhibits, and 90 acres of lakes woods and open space, the park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and go hiking or fishing close to the city. Other popular events in the region include the annual Carytown Watermelon Festival, a folk festival and wine festivals. The Richmond International Raceway hosts NASCAR events twice a year.
The average commute time for residents of the region is about 22 minutes, making the city an ideal place to rent an apartment for those hoping to avoid a long trip to work. The city is also conveniently located 110 miles from Washington, D.C. Richmond International Airport is located in Henrico County. There is also an Amtrak train station and a bus system in the area.
Local neighborhoods offer great apartment options for college students. Although there are no colleges or universities located in Henrico, more than 30 colleges and universities can be found in the region. South University and Strayer University are both located in the city of Glen Allen, just about 5 miles away from Henrico. Some other colleges located just 11 miles away in Richmond include Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond and J. Sargent Reynolds Community College.
The region received a rank of 5 on the 2013 Forbes list of best cities for jobs. The top employers in the city and county include the county's school district, which employs over 6,500 people. Other top employers include the County and Capital One. The top jobs in the area are in management, the business and financial sector, education, and computers and IT.