Chesterfield County · Neighborhood Guide

Chester

Southern Chesterfield's town center along Route 10, between I-95 and I-295, with quick access north to Richmond and south to Petersburg.

Reviewed 2026-11-07 · By Miles Agee, Real Estate Advisor

Chester by the numbers

Real estate tax
$0.89 per $100
Chesterfield County, checked 2026-11-07
Car tax
$3.25 per $100
Before state relief
Median sale price
$390,040
Zip 23831, 116 sales, Jul to Sep 2026
To downtown, 8 a.m.
22 to 35 min
Home at 5 p.m.: 20 to 35 min
Walk Score
11
Area average, Chester

Colonial Heights, just south, is its own independent city with its own rates. It is not Chesterfield.

Drive times are Google Maps forecasts measured by MAMS November 7, 2026, for Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Every other number links to its source at the bottom of this page.

The Real Estate

Housing stock

A wide mix: ranches and split-levels from the 1960s through the 1980s, colonials from the 1990s and 2000s, and new construction on the edges. Many homes sit on bigger lots than you'd get closer in.

If You're Buying

The buying reality

Chester gives you more house and more lot for the money than many closer suburbs. The housing stock varies a lot by street, so judge each home on its own. Older homes need a careful look at roofs and systems. If you work south or east, the interstate access is a big plus.

If You're Selling

The selling reality

Your buyer is comparing price and commute. Show both. Updated systems and a clean inspection matter here, because many homes are 30 to 60 years old. Price against nearby sales on similar streets, not the whole area.

Day to Day

Living in Chester

Chester Village Green for shops and dining, Route 10 for errands, and easy access to I-95 and I-295. It is car-dependent and quiet. The James River and Henricus Historical Park are nearby on the river side.

Is It For You

Chester may be a fit if

  • You want more house and land for your money.
  • You commute north, south or east, and want the interstates close.
  • You're fine driving for almost everything.

Common Questions

Chester FAQ

What is the property tax rate in Chester?

Chester is in Chesterfield County, which taxes real estate at $0.89 per $100 of assessed value and cars at $3.25 per $100 before state relief. The City of Richmond's rate is $1.20, so the same assessed value costs less here every year. Source: Chesterfield County, checked 2026-11-07.

What do homes sell for in Chester?

Redfin's median sale price for zip 23831 was $390,040 across 116 sales from July through September 2026. That mixes every home type, condos included, so a single street can run well above or below it. Source: Redfin Data Center.

How long is the drive from Chester to downtown Richmond?

Google Maps forecast 22 to 35 minutes for an 8 a.m. Tuesday drive to Riverfront Plaza downtown, and 20 to 35 minutes back at 5 p.m. At 8 a.m. it was VCU Medical Center 22 to 35 min, Innsbrook 35 min to 1 hr min, Capital One West Creek 35 min to 1 hr min, RIC airport 20 to 30 min. MAMS measured these November 7, 2026, for Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Drive your real route at rush hour before you buy.

Is Chester walkable?

Walk Score's area average: Chester 11, out of 100. Scores move block by block, so check the exact address at walkscore.com. Source: Walk Score, checked 2026-11-07.

Which school division serves Chester?

Chesterfield County Public Schools. Assignment goes by exact address and can change, so use the division's own lookup (https://www.oneccps.org/register-for-school/) before you write an offer. For official data on any school, the Virginia Department of Education publishes School Quality Profiles at schoolquality.virginia.gov.

Is Colonial Heights part of Chester?

No. Colonial Heights is an independent city with its own tax rates and its own school division. Chester is in Chesterfield County. Some addresses near the line can look alike, so confirm the locality on the parcel record.

Miles's Take

The honest read on Chester

Chester doesn't get the buzz, and that's part of the value. If your job is south or east, or you want room without paying for a name, it belongs on your list. Just be strict about inspections on the older homes.

Keep Going

Where Chester fits in your search

Quiz matchWho this part of town fits, and the trade-offRelocation guideHenrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and Goochland.Relocation guideHow you'll get around Richmond.

Also compare: Midlothian, Moseley, Manchester

Sources

Where every number comes from

Want the real read on Chester?

Take the Richmond neighborhood quiz to see how Chester stacks up against your needs, or text Miles to talk through what it would look like for you.

Take the QuizText Miles about Chester

Numbers on this page were checked 2026-11-07 and change over time. Medians mix every home type and are not an appraisal of any home. Confirm school assignment with the school division for the exact address. Miles Agee is a Real Estate Advisor licensed in Virginia with Samson Properties, on the OneSouth Realty team. MAMS does not steer clients by race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.