A collection of photographs showing skylines from two Virginia cities
Virginia Economic Review
Second Quarter 2025
Published: | Last updated: 08.21.2026

From Capital Cool to Coastal Chic

Virginia’s cities, counties, and towns represent a wide range of living situations, with a location to support any lifestyle.

Virginia’s cities, counties, and towns represent a wide range of living situations, with a location to support any lifestyle. The eastern “urban crescent” starts in the Northern Virginia suburbs and follows interstates 95 and 64 through Richmond and down to Hampton Roads, with smaller urban areas sprinkled among the towns and rural areas throughout the Commonwealth.

Lynchburg skyline at night Lynchburg

In addition to a vibrant arts scene and rich history, Richmond offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities for a city of its size, from walkable, bike-friendly neighborhoods to water sports on the James River.

Cyclists pose with their bikes in front of a vintage drugstore mural
Del Ray neighborhood decorated for the holidays Del Ray, Alexandria

The city of Alexandria has served as a trade hub since the 18th century and was a part of Washington, D.C., until 1846. Its neighborhoods include historic Old Town and eclectic Del Ray, home to a farmer’s market and a vibrant arts scene.

Two people walking together through a lively Alexandria neighborhood
Richmond skyline and the James River at sunset Richmond

Established in 1610, Hampton is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The city is a 22-time honoree in the Center for Digital Government Digital Cities Awards.

People walking through a shopping and dining district
Downtown Salem with mountains in the background Salem

Norfolk is the densest of the seven cities that make up the Hampton Roads region and serves as the regional hub for healthcare, arts and culture, higher education, and international commerce. The city, and the rest of the region, have vibrant defense and maritime industries owing to an advantageous location at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

Apartment building balconies illuminated in different colors at night
Fireworks over the Norfolk waterfront at night Norfolk

The city of Danville on the North Carolina border is rich in history — it served as the last capital of the Confederacy for a short time after the retreat from Richmond. Its River District includes a wide variety of local restaurants, breweries, and shops in an area that used to contain warehouses for the tobacco grown nearby.

Arched bridge over a river with flowers in the foreground
People walking and shopping along a downtown street Fredericksburg

Downtown Roanoke is home to the City Market Building’s dining and retail establishments, and Center in the Square, which houses the city’s science museum and Mill Mountain Theatre.

Historic downtown square with brick buildings and flower planters
Downtown skyline surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains Roanoke

The Virginia-Tennessee line runs down State Street in Bristol, splitting the city between the two states. The two cities, which are the nucleus of the largest population center in southwestern Virginia and northeast Tennessee, are known for NASCAR’s Bristol Motor Speedway and for the large role they played in the genesis of country music.

Person walking across the Virginia-Tennessee state line marker
People walking and dining along a downtown pedestrian street at night Old Town Winchester