Colonial Heights, Virginia
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| Colonial Heights, Virginia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Colonial Heights |
| Settlement type | Independent city |
| Nickname | The Jewel of the Tri-Cities |
| Motto | "The City on the Hill" |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Virginia |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | None (Independent city) |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1926 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated (city) |
| Established date2 | 1948 |
| Government type | Council–Manager |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Gregory J. Kochuba |
| Leader title1 | City Manager |
| Leader name1 | Douglas J. Smith |
| Area total sq mi | 7.82 |
| Area land sq mi | 7.53 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.29 |
| Elevation ft | 95 |
| Population total | 18170 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 37, 15, 44, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 23834 |
| Area code | 804 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 51-18448 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1496850 |
| Website | www.colonialheightsva.gov |
Colonial Heights, Virginia. An independent city located along the southern bank of the Appomattox River in the Commonwealth of Virginia, it is part of the Richmond-Petersburg region and the larger Tri-Cities, Virginia area. The city is known for its significant role during the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War, as well as being a major commercial hub anchored by the Southpark Mall.
History
The area's history is deeply tied to early colonial exploration, with Captain John Smith and the Jamestown settlers recorded as passing through in 1607. During the American Revolutionary War, the high bluffs overlooking the Appomattox River provided a strategic vantage point for General Marquis de Lafayette and the Continental Army to monitor British forces under General Charles Cornwallis at Petersburg, leading to the locale's name. In the American Civil War, the city was a pivotal site during the Siege of Petersburg, with portions of the Fort Gregg earthworks located within its present boundaries. The community was officially founded in 1926 and incorporated as an independent city by the Virginia General Assembly in 1948, separating from Chesterfield County.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.82 square miles, of which 7.53 square miles is land and 0.29 square miles is water. It is situated on the southern bank of the Appomattox River, directly across from the independent city of Petersburg. The city's topography is characterized by the prominent bluffs that gave it its name, and it lies within the Atlantic coastal plain region. Major transportation routes include Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, and U.S. Route 301, connecting it to Richmond and points north and south.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 18,170. The racial makeup was predominantly White and African American, with smaller populations of Asian and Hispanic or Latino residents. The population density was approximately 2,413 people per square mile. The city has a higher median age than the national average, reflecting a significant senior demographic. Household and family data are collected and published by the United States Census Bureau as part of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Economy
The economy is heavily centered on retail and commercial services, with the Southpark Mall serving as a major regional shopping destination anchored by stores like Target, JCPenney, and Dick's Sporting Goods. Other significant employers include the Colonial Heights Public Schools system, John Randolph Medical Center, and various manufacturing and distribution facilities. The city's location along Interstate 95 has also fostered growth in the hospitality and restaurant sectors, with numerous national chains represented. The Virginia Department of Taxation and other state agencies have regional offices in the area.
Government
The city operates under a Council–manager government system, with a seven-member Colonial Heights City Council elected at-large. The council appoints a professional City manager to oversee daily administrative operations and a Mayor who presides over council meetings. The city provides full municipal services, including its own Police Department, Fire and EMS Department, and public works. It is represented in the Virginia Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates as part of respective legislative districts.
Education
Public education is administered by Colonial Heights Public Schools, which includes Colonial Heights High School, Colonial Heights Middle School, and several elementary schools. The system is accredited by the Virginia Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. There are no institutions of higher education within the city limits, but residents have access to nearby Richard Bland College and Virginia State University in Petersburg, as well as Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. The Colonial Heights Public Library is part of the Appomattox Regional Library System.
Category:Independent cities in Virginia Category:Populated places established in 1926