Historically working class Richmond neighborhood bordering Hollywood Cemetery
Set on a hill and isolated from Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus and downtown Richmond by the Downtown Expressway, Oregon Hill has a distinct identity; much of the neighborhood was built in the 1800s by employees of Tredegar Iron Works just down the hill, cementing the area's working-class reputation early on. Oregon Hill continued to attract working-class Richmonders and artists through the 20th century thanks to its low cost of living. “Historically it was really affordable to rent here, and it is very much an artist community,” says Angie Cooper, local Realtor at River Fox Realty. “Punks and artists would rent houses here and have cool communal living spaces where they would have house shows.” Although much of the neighborhood now accommodates VCU students, particularly on the northern side, “there is still a community, and there are a lot of people who have lived here for generations,” Cooper says.
Italianate rowhouses with wide front porches
Homes in Oregon Hill are a mix of detached and attached Italianate row houses built in the late 1800s or early 1900s, though some row houses in a similar style were constructed in the 2000s and 2010s. “It’s a totally different architectural vibe from the rest of the city. It reminds me of New Orleans,” Cooper says. The neighborhood’s tight grid layout means most properties have street parking only. Wide front porches with awnings face the sidewalk, and some homes have small fenced-in flowerbeds or shrubs out front. Some properties are stacked duplexes with two-story porches. Houses usually sell for between $350,000 and $550,000.
Rest in Pieces and L’Opossum anchor the neighborhood with quirky offerings
Cooper, who owns an Airbnb in Oregon Hill, says the neighborhood attracts tourists visiting the city to check out attractions like the Rest in Pieces curiosity shop, Hollywood Cemetery and the Edgar Allen Poe house in Shockoe Bottom. “There’s a cool historic spookiness to it that’s fun,” she says. Oregon Hill also has two popular restaurants: Restaurant Adarra and L’Opossum. Both offer a fine dining experience. Guests who manage to secure a reservation at L’Opossum enjoy the venue’s offbeat, eclectic decor and experimental French cuisine. For groceries, there is a Kroger on Lombardy Street about 1.5 miles north and a Whole Foods about 2 miles north on Broad Street.
Historic Hollywood Cemetery and the James River Park system
The 135-acre Hollywood Cemetery abuts Oregon Hill. 80,000 people have been buried in the cemetery since it opened in 1847, including 18,000 Confederate soldiers and two U.S. presidents, James Monroe and John Tyler. The cemetery was designed in the 19th century in the rural garden style as a place for both contemplation and recreation. As an accredited arboretum, the grounds have native trees that have stood for hundreds of years among sculptures, memorials and statues. “They encourage people to spend time here,” Cooper says. “People ride bikes, walk their dogs, hang out and have picnics overlooking the river.”
Oregon Hill overlooks James River Park, which offers activities like hiking, rock climbing, swimming, kayaking and whitewater rafting along the waterfront. From Tredegar Street, cyclists and pedestrians walk across the river on the Belle Isle Suspension Bridge onto Belle Isle. From Belle Isle’s trails, visitors can find remnants of the island’s industrial history, including the now heavily graffitied Belle Isle Hydroelectric Plant and an old granite quarry. In the summer, visitors lay out on the rocks along the James River and cool off in the water with views of the city.
Events on Browns Island and a neighborhood Halloween parade
Oregon Hill hosts its own events, including its annual Halloween parade hosted by the All the Saints Theater Company. The group puts on the parade annually, creating papier-mâché masks and puppets to celebrate the holiday and take a stance on political themes. “One year the theme was the death of the patriarchy — this year it was an anti-genocide message," Cooper says. “There are lots of kids trick-or-treating and people decorate like crazy. It’s a super special thing that happens.” The parade starts at Monroe Park and ends at Holly Street.
Oregon Hill has alternative high school and tuition-free elementary school
Young students living in Oregon Hill are zoned to attend William Fox Elementary School, which has a B-plus from Niche. The school was severely damaged in a 2022 fire, so students are currently taking classes in the former Clark Springs Elementary School building. Oregon Hill students are then zoned to attend Dogwood Middle School, which has a C grade, and Thomas Jefferson High School, which has a B. Open High School is an alternative high school in the neighborhood that earns an A-plus from Niche. Incoming students must apply and be accepted to the school, which requires all students to complete at least 120 hours of community service and allows them to manage their own schedules in a college-preparatory environment.
On the north side of the neighborhood, the St. Andrew’s School is a private, tuition-free elementary school serving Richmond’s lower-income families. Its hands-on curriculum includes a concept called "social emotional learning," as well as violin instruction for every student in addition to core subjects. The school is not yet rated by Niche.
Virginia Commonwealth University’s main campus is just across the expressway from Oregon Hill, within walking distance of the neighborhood. The school has about 29,000 enrolled students.
Taking GRTC buses or driving on the Expressway across Richmond
In addition to walking or biking to VCU or downtown, Oregon Hill residents can take GRTC buses from Belvidere Street around Richmond. Drivers can also take the Downtown Expressway, Oregon Hill’s northern border, across the city. Richmond International Airport is 10 miles east and VCU hospital is about 2 miles east.
Oregon Hill has a CAP Index crime score of 6. That indicates a higher crime risk compared to the national average score of 4, but lower crime risk compared to downtown Richmond’s score of 9.
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.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Oregon Hill
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Oregon Hill, Richmond sell after 8 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Oregon Hill, Richmond over the last 12 months is $450,375, up 11% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$465,000
Median Single Family Price
$428,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$240
Last 12 months Home Sales
8
Median List Price
$457,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
-3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
15%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
470
Median Year Built
1910
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,571
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,028
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,461
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
726
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,613
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,196
Median Age
30
Population Density
14 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
6.9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$76,495
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$97,640
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.7%
College Graduates
67.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
75.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
45''
Average Winter Low Temperature
29°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
5''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
57/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
64/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
51/ 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.
