Being on the water is the way of life in Richmond Hill for its 18,000 residents, a vibrant riverside city just 21 miles from Savannah. It sits along the shores of the Ogeechee River, which leads to the Atlantic Ocean, less than 10 miles away. “Anybody that loves the outdoors, fishing, going to barrier islands, or the beach,” says Larry Phillips, a Realtor at Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area Partners. He is a longtime Richmond Hill resident and has been selling homes for over 25 years. “All of that outdoor living is a huge attraction for Bryan County and Richmond Hill.” Richmond Hill celebrates its coastal location with its famous annual Seafood Festival. Henry Ford even built his winter home along these banks in 1936, leading to some of the area’s diverse architecture.
"A lot of downtown was built by Ford, my office is in the bakery," says Christy Sherman, Executive Director of Richmond Hill Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The Ford era was very influential." The Ford's were in the city from 1925 to 1947, and in the words of Sherman, "changed everything. Eleven years after he came, it took a while, but he was developing the city." Before Ford came, the school system wasn't the best, but since then "the school system has remained one of the best in the state ever since." With its location on the Ogeechee River and the distance to the Atlantic Ocean, Richmond Hill is affected by hurricanes and tropical storms.
Boating is a way of life in Richmond Hill.
Richmond Hill is a vibrant riverside city just 21 miles from Savannah.
Richmond Hill is located less than 10 miles to the coastline.
Richmond Hill is full of history.
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Ford Plantation community along the river
Richmond Hill’s housing experienced a boom after 2000, with most homes built in New Traditional styles. There are older homes scattered throughout the city.
"There are a few farm houses here and there, from before the Civil War Era," Sherman says. "Ford drew inspiration from plantations." Along the river is Richmond Hill Plantation, as well as the Ford Field and River Club, a private golf and sporting community covering 1,800 acres. Within this neighborhood, some homesites are available, beginning around $90,000 for about an acre and reaching up to almost $1 million for 15 and a half acres. Homes are rarely less than $1 million in this neighborhood and can reach over $4 million. Some of the homes have been used as sets for movies and television shows. Outside of this neighborhood, housing styles are more varied and lower in price. The average housing price for Richmond Hill is $442,178, lower than the national average of housing costs in the United States.
The Ford Field & River Club in Richmond Hill is located along the Ogeechee River.
Larger two story homes are available in Richmond Hill.
Brick ranch style homes in Richmond Hill offer classic design features.
Residents take pride of their lawns in Richmond Hill.
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Part of the highly rated Bryan County School District
Richmond Hill is part of the Bryan County School District, which receives an overall grade of A-minus. “A lot of people specifically move here to have access to Bryan County Schools,” Phillips says. Bryan County School District has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Richmond Hill High School, the main choice for residents of Richmond Hill, is graded an A by Niche. It is rated as the third best public high school in the Savannah area by Niche. Bryan County School District offers dual enrollment.
Richmond Hill High School is a Public High School in Richmond Hill, GA.
Welcome to Richmond Hill Elementary School.
Richmond Hill Middle School serves students from the Richmond Hill area.
Entrance to Richmond Hill Primary School.
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J.F. Gregory Recreational Park offers unique amenities
Richmond Hill has many parks, including the 335-acre multi-use J.F. Gregory Recreational Park. It boasts a mix of unique and traditional amenities, including a birding tower, lagoon, walking and biking trail, picnic tables and a playground. The lagoon also allows fishing and canoeing. Just under 2 miles across town sits Timber Trail Recreation Park. This park has several athletic fields as well as batting cages. "We're a coastal town and have three marinas," says Sherman. "That's our backyard the marshes, so we have a big boating community." There are smaller community parks scattered throughout the city available for residents to use. "We're close to Jekyll Island, Tybee Island, it's about an hour drive," says Sherman. "When you live here you experience that on the weekends."
Enjoy the water at J F Gregory City Park.
Boles Community Park
Welcome to Bryan County Recreation Park.
Enjoy a day at the beach or visit the pier on Tybee Island.
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National retailers along Ford Avenue and bigger shopping in Savannah
Dozens of shops and eateries sit along Georgia State Route 144, which runs through the center of town. On the north end of the city, in the Richmond Place Village shopping center, residents can find primarily chain businesses, along with more regionally owned restaurants. Along Ford Avenue are locally owned restaurants and businesses. "We have 30 plus local restaurants," says Sherman. "It's nice to have locally owned places." Savannah has several malls with national businesses.
There are many shopping center for residents to choose from in Richmond Hill.
Residents of Richmond Hill shop for groceries at Kroger Supermarket.
Richmond Hill residents can shop at local shops along Ford Avenue.
There is an abundance of shopping and retail shops located near Paradise Park.
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The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival
The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival is one of the largest seafood fests in the southeast. It’s held each October at Richmond Hill’s J.F. Gregory Park. The three-day festival welcomes more than 25,000 people from across the U.S. annually. Sunset Thursdays is another popular reoccurring event. On Thursdays from May to September, Fish Tales at Fort McAllister Marina welcomes residents to eat food and listen to live music as they watch the sunset over the Ogeechee River. The city also hosts holiday festivities, including an Easter Eggstravaganza and Christmas Parade.
Route 17 and I-95 pass through Richmond Hill
Several major highways run through the neighborhood, including U.S. State Route 17 and U.S. Interstate Highway 95, both of which lead to downtown Savannah, just over 20 miles away. "We're close to Savannah but still have that small town charm," Sherman says. Public transit does not serve this area, so most residents depend on vehicles. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport sits just over 18 miles north of town. There are two medical facilities on opposite sides of the city, St. Joseph’s Candler Urgent Care – Richmond and ExpreCARE Urgent Care and Primary Care.
Crime in Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill experienced a rise of 1.84% in violent crime from 2022 to 2023, but a decrease in property crime of 3.48%. Property crime was generally lower than both the state and national average while violent crime tended to be lower than the average.
Additional writing by Hannah Rainey.
I love what I do and it shows! I enjoy helping others fulfill their dreams in real estate, whether than means selling and/or buying a home or investment property. There are no stupid questions! I am here for you, when you need me and however you need me to help. Real estate and helping others is truly is my passion, and has never felt like a "job" but a Joy!
I grew up in rural Kansas as a farmer's daughter. There I learned that hard work pays off. I enjoy being the real estate professional for my clients. I find joy in helping them find that perfect home, and really enjoy looking at each listing and figuring how to market each individual home in such a way, it sells quickly without leaving money on the table. I work hard for my clients and have lined myself to work with others with the same goal. I have and entire of team of professionals to help my clients navigate all areas of real estate, so even if you need advise on who to call for funding, legal advice, home repairs......you name it. I am here for you!
I have lived in the Coastal Savannah area since 2006, and do not want to live anywhere else. I have three children and we enjoy exploring the coastal Georgia area.
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