Virginia’s Chesterfield County is known for being wealthy; as of 2023, the median household income there was $86,101. Nonetheless, the wealth of the county is not dispersed equally throughout its communities. In comparison to the county as a whole, Chesterfield County has a number of communities that experience poverty, lower incomes, and declining property prices. Using information from Zillow and the U.S. Census Bureau, we will examine five of the county’s most economically disadvantaged communities in this article.
1. Ettrick
6,682 people live in Ettrick, a census-designated place (CDP) tucked away in the southern part of the county, close to the Petersburg border. With a startling poverty rate of 29.9%, this neighborhood has a rate that is over four times higher than the county average of 7.5%. Ettrick’s median household income is a pitiful $37,500, which is less than half the county norm. Furthermore, Ettrick’s median house worth is $154,600, which is far less than the county’s median of $269,500.
The history of Ettrick begins with its arrival as a Native American community and continues with its development into an important railroad town. Because Virginia State University, a historically Black state university, is housed there, it is notable. Eighty-two.4% of Ettrick’s population is African American, including its residents.
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2. Bensley
Bensley is another CDP with 5,819 people, located near Richmond in the eastern portion of the county. At 22.8%, this location has a poverty rate that is more than three times higher than the county average. Bensley’s typical household income is a pitiful $40,625, which is less than half the county norm. Bensley’s median house value is $156,900, which is significantly less than the county’s median.
The area was founded in 1891 by William Bensley, a businessman. Of the total population, 40.8% are white, 34.4% are African American, 18.6% are Hispanic or Latino, and 6.2% are from other racial origins.
3. Bellwood
With 6,352 residents and an 18% poverty rate—more than twice the county average—Bellwood is located in the northeastern part of the county, close to Richmond International Airport. About half of the county’s median income, or $46,250, is earned by households in Bellwood. Bellwood’s median house value is $161,300, which is once more far less than the county median.
Bellwood was first used as a military base during World War I in 1917 and was closed in 2011 after serving as an Army logistics station. With 48% of the population being white, 32% being African American, 13% being Hispanic or Latino, and 7% belonging to other racial groupings, Bellwood’s population is diverse.
4. Meadowbrook
With 18,312 residents, Meadowbrook is a centrally placed community next to Chesterfield Towne Center. Its poverty rate is 14%, which is nearly twice the county average. At $54,167, the typical household income in Meadowbrook is around two-thirds that of the county. Meadowbrook’s median house value is $181,400, which is less than the county median once more.
Meadowbrook, a diversified suburban town with single-family homes and apartments built in the 1950s and 60s, is home to 49% White people, 31% African Americans, 12% Hispanic or Latino people, and 8% people from other racial backgrounds.
5. Chester
There are 20,987 people living in Chester, an unincorporated town in the southeast of the county next to Hopewell. Chester’s poverty rate is 11%, which is greater than the county’s average. About three-fourths of the county median income, or $61,250, is earned by households in Chester. Chester’s median house value is $213,800, which is less than the county’s median.
Chester was first established in 1749 as a colonial trade post and later developed into an industrial hub and railroad junction. Numerous structures in the community are part of a historic district that is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. White people make up the majority of Chester’s population (72%), with white residents.
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In Summary
Despite its reputation for wealth, Chesterfield County has neighborhoods that are experiencing economic inequality. Compared to countywide figures, these neighborhoods have lower incomes, higher rates of poverty, and lower property values. The distinct histories, cultures, and demographics of each neighborhood represent the diversity of the county. It is vital to address the issues these communities face while maximizing their potential for growth and development.