The Corner Market in Shipman is a staple of the neighborhood.
Rural, but connected in Shipman
The small, rural area of Shipman lies 4 miles from Lovingston, the county seat of Nelson County. The community is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, making the main draws for residents the wide open spaces and peaceful immersion in nature. “People move here for the privacy and land,” says Marlo Allen, a local Real Estate agent at Mountain Area Nest Realty. “But you’re still within 8 to 10 miles of a grocery store.” Most of the county buildings are in Lovingston, including the public library and the parks and recreation office. It also has a few restaurants and an entertainment venue, near the only stoplight for miles on U.S. Route 29. Many residents commute to either Charlottesville or Lynchburg for work, says Allen. Shipman is about a 40-mile drive to Charlottesville and Lynchburg on Route 29, which usually takes about 40 minutes. Many residents work in healthcare since Shipman is equidistant to UVA Health University Hospital and Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. It has also become easier for residents here to work from home since Nelson County partnered with Firefly Fiber Broadband in 2020 to provide residents with fiber optic internet. “Nelson County, in general, has become popular because we’re one of the few rural counties to get fiber optic internet to everyone,” says Allen.
Shopping and dining in Lovingston
Residents head into Lovingston for shopping and dining. There are familiar chains like McDonald's and Subway, but locally owned eateries are the favorites here. The Chicken Coop, inside the Nelson Food Market, offers comfort food, focusing on fried chicken, fresh-baked rolls and hearty sides. Trager Brothers Coffee offers organic, small-batch coffee by the bag, and flavored lattes on Front Street. Down Route 29, Blue Moon Antique Mall and Bookstore contains wall-to-wall books and a smattering of trinkets and household items. Across the street, Vito's Pizza & Italian Grill restaurant serves pizza, pasta, subs and wings. Groceries are available at Food Lion in Lovingston, or The Corner Market closer to home.
Blue Moon Antique Store in Shipman has thousands of new and used books.
Vito's Pizza is a local favorite in Shipman.
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Many homes in Shipman have large covered front porches.
Single-family homes from $200,000
Roadways wind through expansive lawns and thick foliage. Most homes line James River Road or Craigtown Road. Pedestrians may use the occasional gravel paths along the main thoroughfares, but the area has few sidewalks. Residences sit on large lots, most averaging an acre, and have driveways or walkways connecting to the street. Bungalows and Foursquares range from $200,000 to $350,000. “There’s also a market for second-home buyers,” says Allen. “People wanting a vacation house.”
Summer and winter activities at Wintergreen Resort
The Nelson 151 craft beverage trail begins in Lovingston and features wineries, meaderies, ciders, distilleries and breweries along state Route 151, where patrons can enjoy local beverages and their forested surroundings along the breathtaking byway. Nelson County businesses strive to keep the landscape rural by using sustainable farming practices and wind power as renewable energy. Hikers may access the Appalachian Trail, a footpath that spans over 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine. About 30 miles away, Wintergreen Resort has options for winter and summer; in winter, skiing, snowboarding and tubing are popular pastimes, while the summer offers hiking trails and swimming in Lake Monocan. The resort also includes a golf course and a spa.
Year-round programs at Nelson Memorial Library
Updated and expanded in 2019, the Nelson Memorial Library has more room and resources for its patrons, such as a pollinator garden and music garden, which features musical instruments surrounded by local flora. The library has year-round programming for children, teens and adults. "We do kind of a big event to kick off our summer reading program," says Yulita Ellis, the branch manager of the library. "It's usually one of our most well-attended events." The celebration is a time for residents to get library cards, have their faces painted, and peruse the bookmobile, a motorized library that visits areas throughout the county. Rapunzel's Coffee & Books is a nonprofit organization that cultivates the arts in Lovingston. "It's been a staple of the community for many, many years," says Ellis. The establishment opens only for scheduled events, which include musical performances and open mic nights. First AME Zion Church, Montreal Baptist Church and Shipman Baptist Church hold religious services.
Nelson County High School faithfully serves the community of Shipman.
Nelson County High's co-ed wrestling team
Nelson County Public Schools, which receives a B-minus from Niche, serves the Shipman area. Children may attend Tye River Elementary School, which receives a C, and Nelson Middle School, which receives a B-minus. Students advance to Nelson County High School, which also receives a B-minus and has a co-ed varsity wrestling team.
The Thomas Nelson Highway cuts through Shipman.
Traveling around Shipman
Shipman has no public transportation or sidewalks, so residents must use cars to get around. The most-used roadways include James River Road, Craigtown Road and the Thomas Nelson Highway. The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport is 50 miles away.
Colorful signs and murals can be spotted in Shipman.
Important to Know
Train tracks cut through Shipman, and homes nearby may hear the occasional freight train.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
MARLO ALLEN,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Montreal Park
Transit
Airport
Lynchburg Regional/Preston Glenn Field
56 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Shipman
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Shipman, Lovingston sell after 122 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Shipman, Lovingston over the last 12 months is $265,100, up 39% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
1.31 Acre Residential Lot on James River Road. Quiet street with nice mountain views. Perfect for a permanent home or a cabin getaway! Come enjoy beautiful Nelson County and all it has to offer. There are several popular breweries, wineries, and distilleries close by, and it's a short ride over to Nellysford to the Farmers Market and Wintergreen's four season resort! What are you
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
MARLO ALLEN,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
462
Median Age
50
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.1%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$18,132
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$32,444
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
65.2%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
12.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.3%
% Population in Labor Force
59.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
45''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
3''
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
5/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
