An outdoorsy city with upcoming attractions, local businesses and the Danville Mall
Located near the North Carolina border, Danville is a small city that focuses on outdoor play, recreation and cultural festivals. The city’s parks and recreation department offers hundreds of programs for residents of all ages, with miles of trails, new parks and attractions being built all over the city. Locally owned businesses and restaurants are located downtown, while major shopping chains and fast-food joints congregate around the Danville Mall. Housing prices are considerably lower here than in nearby towns, making it a popular place for outdoorsy first-time homebuyers or investors. With access to outdoor attractions, trails and festivals, Danville prides itself on being both a growing city and a destination.
Residents of the city of Danville love to bike the trails at the many parks in the area.
There are many shops to explore and patronize as you stroll through the streets of downtown Danville.
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Future white water rafting and Riverfront Park improvements
One of Danville’s most notable features is its extensive trail system, which includes 10 to 11 miles of paved Riverwalk Trail along the Dan River and 30 miles of unpaved mountain biking trails at Angler’s Ridge. "We’ve partnered with the Angler’s Ridge Trail Association to create these spaces," Sgrinia says. The trails have even brought the North Carolina Interscholastic Mountain Bike Association to Danville, which hosts over 500 youth mountain bikers. “We’re also renovating several neighborhood parks and finishing Riverfront Park, a multi-million-dollar project downtown,” Sgrinia says. The park, scheduled to open in early spring 2025, will feature river access, a large-scale splash pad, and a custom-built playground shaped like an otter. “It’s a unique space that ties directly into the Riverwalk Trail and downtown,” Sgrinia adds.
A particularly ambitious project by the city is the development of a whitewater channel along an old industrial canal. “We’re converting the canal, originally used for hydropower in the 1920s, into a gravity-fed, Olympic-standard whitewater course,” Sgrinia says. "It’s a $15–16 million project that will support recreation, competitive events and swift-water rescue training.” Completing the rafting course will also hopefully boost downtown’s economy by attracting visitors to raft, dine and explore nearby trails.
Danville residents enjoy running the trails at Anglers Ridge.
Anglers Ridge in Danville has a network of trails for bicyclists to explore.
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Community festivals and annual events
Danville’s community festivals and events include the Carrington Pavilion summer concert series and performances by the Danville Symphony Orchestra. The Danville Museum of Fine Arts hosts shows and art series, and every year, folks head to Ballou Park to meet Santa during the Christmas Holiday Light Show. The city also hosts its Children’s Festival in June, with games, music and art. The Danville Farmer’s Market runs during the warmer months when local vendors and farmers can bring their wares to sell.
Neighborhood parks near affordable single-family homes
The median value for a single-family home in Danville is about $165,000. Most homes are located north and south of the river and are often valued between $10,000 and $200,000. Though many are fixer-upper Cape Cods and single-story bungalows, there are also a few renovated ranch-style homes and midcentury styles. Larger colonial-inspired homes from the early 1900s are valued between $300,000 and $500,000. Those living near neighborhood parks may get a say in what goes into them. “We engage residents directly to determine what they want in their parks,” Howarth says. “It’s our job to find the funding and try to deliver on those requests.” This collaborative approach contributed to Danville earning an All-American City designation. “We’re not just expanding new parks; we’re reinvesting in the community and updating existing spaces,” Sgrinia says.
There are many home styles within the city of Danville, including Cape Cod's with huge yards.
You can find a nice selection of Colonial style homes in many neighborhoods throughout the city of Danville.
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Highly rated magnet high school in the Danville Public School District
The Danville Public Schools district is rated an overall C on Niche and includes eight elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Galileo Magnet High School is graded an overall A and is considered the No. 3 best magnet high school in all of Virginia on Niche.
For higher education, students can attend Averett University and Danville Community College. When school’s out, Danville’s parks and recreation department is also focused on creating engaging and fun programs for adults, children and seniors. “We offer about 1,800 programs annually for all ages, many of which are free or low-cost,” Howarth says. The city also has plenty of opportunities for youth athletics and has two semi-professional baseball teams: the Danville Otterbots and the new Danville Dairy Daddies.
The Danville Public School system serves all school-aged children within the city of Danville.
Galileo Magnet High School in Danville is the #3 best magnet high school in Virginia.
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Downtown's local restaurants and familiar chains near the Danville Mall
Downtown, local restaurants include Cheyna’s Waffle Spot and Nana Karen's on Main. Cafes, bars and bistros are all within a mile of one another, and major grocery stores are just a short drive away. Dozens of shops and restaurants surround the Danville Mall off of Piedmont Drive. Other places include big-box stores like Target and Sam’s Club, as well as fast-food chains and familiar restaurants like Olive Garden. The Danville Stadium Cinemas movie theater, Riverside Lanes bowling alley and 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company are all located near the Dan River.
You can enjoy your favorite pizza with family or friends at Dell' Anno's Pizza Kitchen in the heart of downtown Danville.
You can enjoy coffee while working or having a meeting at Links Coffee House located in downtown Danville.
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Nearby highways and local bus lines in Danville
Danville’s access to Route 29 lets drivers reach Greensboro within an hour, or they can take Route 86 to Interstate 40 to reach Raleigh in about an hour and a half. Danville Transit buses run throughout the city for those who use public transportation.
Crime and possible flooding in Danville
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, in 2023, property and violent crime rates were higher than the national and state rates. Though the Dan River is a big part of the city’s heart, during heavy rainfall, creeks and tributaries branching off the river may overflow or flood.
Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Photography Contributed By
Marc Smith
Video By
Tony Simonetti
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Danville by the Numbers
41,910
Population
69
Average Days on Market
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)$159,000
Median Single Family Price$170,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft$112
Months Of Supply3
Demographics and Finance
Cost of Living-11%
Cost of living vs. national average
Median Household Income$38K
Lower than National Average$71K
% Owners46%
Lower than National Average63%
College Graduates17%
Lower than National Average34%
Cost of Living Comparison
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Danville, VA
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Southside Elementary School
A-
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#2 Twin Springs Elementary School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#3 Kentuck Elementary School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#4 Stony Mill Elementary School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#5 Brosville Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#6 Forest Hills Elementary School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#7 Woodrow Wilson Intermediate
D+
Niche
#8 Edwin A. Gibson Elementary School
C-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#9 Schoolfield Elementary School
C-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Dan River Middle School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#2 Tunstall Middle School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#3 Chatham Middle School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#4 O. Trent Bonner Middle School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#5 Westwood Middle School
C-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#6 Langston Focus School
Best Public High Schools
#1 Galileo Magnet High School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#2 Tunstall High School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Chatham High School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#4 Dan River High School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#5 George Washington High School
C
Niche
1
GreatSchools
#6 Langston Focus School
Best Private Schools
#1 Westover Christian Academy
C+
Niche
#2 Abundant Life Christian Academy
#3 Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism
Virginia licensed Real Estate Agent. Robert has now lived and is currently living in the Danville, Virginia area for sixty years as of 2024. Robert has lived in six different homes in Danville during this time. He has attended Hampdyn Sydney College, Danville Community College, worked at the Fred T Hatcher center and Dibrell Brothers Tobacco Company. He owned and managed a retail business, Beyond Video & Tanning Salon, in nearby Ringgold, VA from 1986 to 2009. He enjoys golfing and pickleball. Robert has been active in real estate with Wilkins & Co Realtors since January 10, 2014, specializing in residential sales and handling commercial properties. He was the 2015 Rookie of the Year. Contact Robert with your real estate questions or needs.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
