Highland Springs is an eastern Henrico County community that was founded in the late 19th century as a suburb on the electric streetcar line into Richmond. Named for the area’s once abundant springs and higher ground where homes and businesses were built, Highland Springs saw most of its growth through the 20th century. Today, it is a quiet suburb with relatively affordable – though quickly increasing – housing prices and vicinity to Richmond International Airport and downtown Richmond. “It’s still a hometown, small-town feel,” says Carl Shawler, owner of Groome Brothers Realty Co in Highland Springs.
Highland Springs is only a few minutes drive from downtown Richmond.
You can find a mixture of architecture in Highland Springs.
Richmond's regional airport sits in the heart of Sandston.
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Contemporary and classic homes in subdivisions
Highland Springs is primarily residential, with some businesses along Nine Mile Road. The median price of a single-family home is about $275,000. Most homes were built in the mid-to-late 20th century and include Cape Cods, bungalows and split-level ranches. Homes often have between 1,000 and 1,500 square feet of living space and sit on less than a quarter of an acre. Some newer properties are interspersed throughout the area, including townhouses, ranches and two-story contemporary properties built between the 2010s and today. “Back when [Highland Springs] was first developed, a lot of people bought adjoining lots and had space around them. As generations passed, family members would sell off little lots and new houses got built,” Shawler says. The county also approved a new affordable townhouse and apartment development along North Airport Drive in 2024. Most of the northern side of Highland Springs is swampland among tributaries of the Chickahominy River, though no homes are in this flood zone.
Spacious ranch homes in Highland Springs are perfect for a big family.
FInd the perfect Cape Cod home for your growing family in Highland Springs.
The bungalows found in Highland Springs make the perfect starter home.
Find spacious two-story homes in Highland Springs.
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Highland Springs High School's championship-winning football team
Public school students in Highland Springs attend Henrico County schools, including Highland Springs Elementary School, Fairfield Middle School and Highland Springs High School. All three schools have C grades from Niche.
The high school opened its new $80 million building in 2021. The school is also home to the Center for Engineering, which offers students a four-year engineering-centered curriculum and shadowing opportunities.
The high school’s football team has ranked among the top 10 in the state each year since 2014 and won five state championships between 2015 and 2022. According to Shawler, the team has significant community support. “The football team is phenomenal. A good number of people came out to support them at the state championships. A lot of alumni still go to the games,” he says. The high school’s homecoming game and parade are also big events.
Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School
Elko Middle School in Sandston serves students 6th through 8th grade.
Highland Springs High School
Fairfield Court Elementary School
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Commuting to Richmond and the airport just south
Several major area employers are about 7 miles west in Richmond, including Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the VCU hospital system and Dominion Energy. “Most people are retired or go into town to work,” Shawler says. “It’s more of a bedroom community.” The southern side of Highland Springs does, however, have a Coca-Cola bottling plant that finished a $50 million expansion in 2024 and has about 450 employees. Mondelez International, Nabisco’s parent company, also has a facility with around 650 employees nearby on Laburnum Avenue.
Nine Mile Road aptly runs nine miles from Richmond and through Highland Springs to Sandston. Commuters can drive or take the GRTC Pulse bus on this road into the city. Drivers can also take Interstate 64 into Richmond or Interstate 295 around the region.
Richmond International Airport is just south of Highland Springs, though Shawler says airplane sound isn’t a major issue. “You hear them every once in a while, depending on the flight patterns. Most people have just gotten used to it and they go right over,” he says.
Highland Springs students can attend VCU in RIchmond to get their continued education.
Mondelez International finds its home in Highland Springs.
Highland Springs residents can find a job with Coca-Cola and keep the commute close by.
Highland Springs residents can take advantage of the GRTC bus routes for their commutes.
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A renovated theatre and businesses along Nine Mile Road
South of Highland Springs on Laburnum Avenue, White Oak Village shopping plaza has chain restaurants and retailers like JCPenney and Target. Along Nine Mile Road, there's a Food Lion, churches, auto shops and more businesses.
Nine Mile Road is also home to Henrico Theatre, which hosts live performances and second-run movies in its renovated, circa-1938 Art Deco building. Larger performing arts venues such as the Dominion Energy Center and The National are nearby in downtown Richmond.
White Oak Village in Highland Springs offers dozens of shops and restaurants.
Nine Mile road connects Highland Springs to the rest of the city.
The historic Henrico Theatre is being renovated for Highland Springs residents enjoyment.
Food Lion is a Highland Springs favorite to refill your family's pantry.
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Recreation centers in and around Highland Springs
The Springs Recreation Center has community programming, pickleball courts, a croquet court and a playground. Robinson Park is a bit smaller but also has a playground and multi-use field. There are more recreation options throughout Henrico County. For example, just outside Highland Springs’ limits, the Henrico County Public Library, Frank J. Thornton YMCA Aquatic Center and Eastern Henrico Recreation Center have indoor and outdoor facilities next to each other along Laburnum Avenue.
Visit The Springs Recreaton Center to enjoy the green spaces.
Highland Springs residents can bring their kids to Robinson Park to enjoy the green space.
Highland Springs residents can visit the Fairfield Area Library to get their studies in.
The YMCA in Highland Springs aided with delivering water to residents.
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Crime in Henrico County
The Henrico County police department serves Highland Springs. Henrico’s police department has consistently reported lower crime rates than the state and country since 2011.
Humid summers and mild winters
Highland Springs is located in Virginia’s Piedmont. The area has hot, muggy summers and mild winters. Hurricanes and heavy rain are the most prevalent type of severe weather. Some years receive snowfall, though snow typically melts within a few hours or days.
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