$209,899Average Value$171Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Community spirit and countryside living in southeast Virginia
Twenty-three miles south of Petersburg and 8 miles north of Wakefield, Waverly is an unassuming, rural community established in 1854. Churches and homes dot the countryside, and farmland surrounds the small downtown district. “I moved here because I found a historic home I wanted to renovate,” says Waverly Mayor Angela McPhaul. The mayor has overseen revitalization and beautification of the community after a deadly tornado came through in 2016. “After living in Austin, Texas, and downtown Washington, D.C., I came to find how much people needed broadband in rural areas when I moved to Waverly,” McPhaul adds. Waverly has big plans to liven up its small-town lifestyle. Since planting roots here, the mayor has attracted new businesses downtown, spruced up the cemetery from the 1880s and brightened the community with flowers and professional landscaping.
Outdoor fun and recreation at Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park
Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park is where locals congregate for birthday parties, family reunions and weekend fun. Brightly colored awnings shade the playground, protecting kids and equipment from the hot summer sun. The playground is located next to courts for pickleball and tennis, and it sits just down the street from Waverly Ballfield, where local T-ball, baseball and softball leagues play. The park also includes picnic tables, grilling stations, a walking trail and community garden. “In the mornings, elderly people walk the trail and to the community garden, where they can find fresh produce,” McPhaul says. “The park is the type of place where children can learn to ride bikes. It’s all in one big area. Parents can play pickleball while kids play on the playground; it’s all within view of each other,” McPhaul says. “It also hosts the Oktoberfest for children and the annual 5K starts and finishes there.” With abundant forests and fields in and around Waverly, hunting is also a popular pastime. Waverly Hunt Club members enjoy camaraderie and guidance for hunters of all ages.
Supporting Waverly’s local businesses and driving to other retail hubs
In downtown Waverly, brick storefronts line West Main Street; some are open for business, while others are empty. Flags honoring the Armed Forces adorn the streetlamps along the sidewalks. Locals can eat at fast-food establishments like McDonald’s and restaurants like La Reina Mexican Grill, a casual, locally owned place where kids eat free on Sundays. While the Dollar General carries some grocery essentials, a larger variety of fresh produce is available about 7 miles away at Wakefield Market. The nearest mall and Walmart Supercenter are in Petersburg.
Southeast Virginia is known for its history of peanut farming, and Adams’ Peanuts & Country Store sells peanuts harvested just a mile away. This authentic country store carries other locally made products, like bacon, ham, jams and jellies about 5 miles south of downtown Waverly.
Rural streets with homes under $300,000
Drivers going through Waverly pass by open farmland, mature trees and grassy lots large enough for a garden and a dog run. Lots closer to Main Street are smaller, while lots farther from the main drag are larger. Some streets are narrow, single-lane roads through the woods. Ramblers without garages make up much of the residential landscape, while some farmhouse-style homes feature recent upgrades and elements of colonial-style architecture. Prices for mid-20th century homes, some of which are fixer uppers, generally range from $30,000 to $235,000. The range for larger, more recent constructions is about $270,000 to $360,000.
Highways connect Waverly to the wider southeast Virginia region
The heart of Waverly is the intersection between Route 40, a two-lane road that connects Waverly to neighboring towns, and Route 460, a four-lane highway that extends east-west across Virginia. “Beach traffic is insane on Memorial Day and Labor Day – up to 12,000 cars come through per day,” McPhaul says. Railroad tracks also cross Route 40, which is locally referred to as Main Street. Overall, however, Waverly enjoys a slow-paced lifestyle because of its distance from metropolitan areas. Folks can drive about 25 miles to the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry; the complimentary service takes commuters across the James River to Williamsburg and Interstate 64. Air travel at Richmond International Airport is 55 miles away. Emergency care at Bon Secours – Southside Medical Center is on the outskirts of Petersburg, about 20 miles north.
The public elementary, middle and high schools sit next to one another
Public school students are zoned for Sussex County Public Schools, rated B-minus overall by Niche. Sussex Central Elementary, rated B-plus, Sussex Central Middle School, rated C and Sussex Central High, rated C-plus, are all clustered together along Route 40, about 13 miles from Waverly. According to U.S. News & World Report, a disproportionately high number of Sussex Central High School students are classified as economically disadvantaged; however, students receive individualized attention with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10-to-1, and the school offers a free lunch program to those students who qualify.
Renovating the Miles B. Carpenter Folk Art Museum
Waverly has long been home to the Miles B. Carpenter Folk Art Museum, which features the work of the local artist, whose work also appears in museums across the country, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The museum in Waverly has been closed due to changing ownership, but “Waverly took it over two years ago, fixed up the stage and landscaped a huge tulip bed, which is in bloom now,” McPhaul says. “The museum itself has a lot of wood carvings, and we’re trying to get it ready to open.” The folk art museum and the attached peanut museum, highlighting the factthat the country’s first commercial peanuts were grown in Waverly, are scheduled to open in tandem by August of 2025. The site currently hosts events like an adult Oktoberfest and art camps for kids during the summer.
Crime and weather safety in Waverly
Since an F1 tornado ripped through the area in 2016, the community has not experienced deadly weather. “We do get tornado warnings, and we’re in a low-lying, easy-to-flood area,” McPhaul says, noting that even a few inches of rain can make an impact. Meanwhile, Waverly’s overall CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national figure of 4.
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
Josh Chappell,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Richmond International
63 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Waverly
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Waverly, VA sell after 108 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Waverly, VA over the last 12 months is $193,505, consistent with the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This home just needs a little remodeling to bring it back to its highest and best use as a residence. The property was converted to a small health office a few years ago. With a little work this would make a great home again. Don't hesitate to reach out and ask questions.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Josh Chappell,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,846
Median Age
47
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,367
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$69,992
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
80.9%
College Graduates
11.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
52''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
22/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2/ 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.
