Richmond is Virginia's capital city, renowned for its Thomas Jefferson-designed neoclassical State Capitol, significant Civil War heritage, James River location with Class IV rapids in downtown, and role as a financial and cultural center.
226,610
(2020 census)1737
Capital since 17801.37M
44th largest in US4th Largest
City in VirginiaRichmond is the capital of Virginia and the fourth-most populous city in the state with a population of 226,610 (2020 census). The Richmond metropolitan area encompasses over 1.37 million residents and ranks as the 44th-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located on the James River at the fall line, Richmond was founded in 1737 by William Byrd II as a trading post and formally incorporated as a town in 1742. The city replaced Williamsburg as Virginia's capital in 1780 during the American Revolution. In 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous "Give me liberty or give me death!" speech at Richmond's St. John's Church, profoundly influencing Virginia's participation in the Revolutionary cause. On May 20, 1861, the Confederate States Congress voted to move its national capital from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond, making the city a major Civil War battleground and cultural center. Today, Richmond is a powerhouse in law, finance, government, life sciences, creative industries, advanced manufacturing, and transportation, home to six Fortune 500 companies including Dominion Energy, CarMax, Altria Group, and others, while serving as a vibrant hub of history, culture, and innovation.
Colonial Trading Post: Richmond's origins trace to William Byrd II, who inherited 1,800 acres along the James River falls in Henrico County from his uncle Thomas Stegge in 1670. Byrd expanded his landholdings in 1679 and established a fur-trading venture with Virginia Indians, sending parties into the interior to trade English goods for furs. In 1733, Byrd formally created Richmond, possibly named after Richmond upon Thames in England, strategically positioned at the falls of the James River where ocean-going vessels could no longer navigate. In 1737, William Mayo laid out the original street plan at the tobacco trade hub, and Richmond was formally incorporated as a town in 1742. The fall line location made it vital for colonial commerce, where ocean-going ships ended navigation and goods required portage upstream.
Revolutionary Era and Capital Status: Richmond replaced Williamsburg as Virginia's capital in 1780 during the American Revolution, providing a more centralized location for the state's increasing western population. On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous "Give me liberty or give me death!" speech at St. John's Church in Richmond, a pivotal moment that helped inspire Virginia's participation in the American Revolution and influence of the First Continental Congress. Richmond served as home to many founders of the nation and great speakers and leaders.
Confederate Capital: On May 20, 1861, the Confederate States Congress voted to move its national capital from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond, elevating the city's importance but making it a major military and political target during the Civil War. The city endured repeated bombardment, military occupation, and fires (including the evacuation fire of April 1865). Richmond's Civil War heritage remains a defining aspect of the city's history, with numerous battlefields, monuments, and museums documenting this period.
Virginia State Capitol: The Virginia State Capitol, completed in 1788, is an iconic neoclassical structure designed by Thomas Jefferson in collaboration with Charles-Louis Clérisseau. The design was based on the Roman temple the Maison Carrée at Nîmes in southern France. When the commonwealth's Directors of Public Buildings requested a design from Jefferson while he served as minister to France in 1785, Clérisseau persuaded him to model the building on the Maison Carrée, which he considered one of the greatest Roman buildings. Jefferson commissioned a scale model from noted modelmaker Jean-Pierre Fouquet, which arrived in Richmond in late 1786. The Virginia State Capitol is the world's first neoclassic temple building and arguably the first legislative building to employ past architectural style to convey the form of government—a republic. As the first major public building constructed after the American Revolution, it helped establish classicism as the governmental image and influenced architectural styles nationwide.
Richmond sits on the James River at the fall line, a dramatic geographic feature where the river's 186-mile course from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay creates dynamic terrain and spectacular outdoor opportunities. Richmond is the only urban city in the country with Class IV whitewater rapids in the middle of downtown, creating a unique blend of urban and natural environments.
Economic Drivers: Law, finance, and government primarily drive Richmond's economy. Services and government together account for more than half of all jobs in Richmond. The city is home to two Fortune 1000 companies and nine in the region, with six Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the city: Dominion Energy (electric utility), CarMax, Owens & Minor, Genworth Financial, MeadWestvaco/WestRock, and Altria Group.
Key Industries: Richmond's economy is built on a solid group of key and emerging industries including financial services, life sciences, creative industries, advanced manufacturing, and transportation. As Virginia's capital, the city maintains a steady level of government employment. This diverse industry mix makes Richmond more resilient to economic disruptions. In fiscal year 2023, the city saw significant economic development successes with $2.57 billion in capital investment and 541 new jobs associated with announced projects.
Business Environment: The City of Richmond operates under a Mayor-Council form of government, with the Mayor elected at large and serving a full-time, four-year term. As the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond is noted as being located in one of the best states in the country to do business. The city offers a competitive business climate with diverse opportunities across multiple sectors.
Richmond is home to numerous institutions of higher learning, with nearly 30 colleges and universities in the greater Richmond area:
Richmond replaced Williamsburg as Virginia's capital in 1780 during the American Revolution, providing a more centralized location for the state's increasing western population. The city was originally founded as a trading post by William Byrd II in 1737.
Richmond was founded in 1737 by William Byrd II as a trading post at the navigable head of the James River. The location was strategic because it marked the fall line where ocean-going vessels ended navigation, making it vital for colonial tobacco trade and commerce. The city is possibly named after Richmond upon Thames in England.
The Virginia State Capitol, completed in 1788, is an iconic neoclassical structure designed by Thomas Jefferson in collaboration with Charles-Louis Clérisseau, based on the Roman temple Maison Carrée in Nîmes, France. It is the world's first neoclassic temple building and arguably the first legislative building to employ past architectural style to convey the form of government—a republic. As the first major public building built after the American Revolution, it helped establish classicism as the governmental image and influenced architectural styles nationwide.
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous "Give me liberty or give me death!" speech at St. John's Church in Richmond, a pivotal moment that helped inspire Virginia's participation in the American Revolution and its influence on the First Continental Congress. This powerful speech profoundly shaped the course of American history.
On May 20, 1861, the Confederate States Congress voted to move its national capital from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond, making it the Confederate capital. This made Richmond a major military and political target during the Civil War, leading to repeated bombardment, military occupation, and fires including the evacuation fire of April 1865. Richmond's Civil War heritage remains significant with numerous battlefields, monuments, and museums.
Richmond features the American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar (site of Tredegar Iron Works), the White House of the Confederacy (Confederate Executive Mansion), and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture (extensive Civil War collection including Libby Prison window), plus 13 Civil War battlefield sites and hundreds of historically significant buildings throughout the region.
Richmond is the only urban city in the country with Class IV whitewater rapids in downtown. The James River Park System offers 600 acres and over 40 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, kayaking, whitewater rafting, fishing, and rock climbing. Activities include paddling Class I-V rapids, climbing at Belle Isle and under the Manchester Bridge, and wildlife viewing.
Richmond is home to nearly 30 colleges and universities, with major institutions including Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU, top 100 research university with 30,000+ students), University of Richmond (private liberal arts university), Virginia Union University (HBCU), J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, and Union Presbyterian Seminary.
Last updated on November 24, 2025