Richmond City · Neighborhood Guide
Forest Hill
Southside Richmond's residential anchor, single-family homes, Forest Hill Park, and direct James River trail access without leaving the city.
Reviewed 2026-11-07 · By Miles Agee, Real Estate Advisor
Forest Hill by the numbers
- Real estate tax
- $1.20 per $100
- The City of Richmond, checked 2026-11-07
- Car tax
- $3.70 per $100
- Before state relief
- Median sale price
- $392,360
- Zip 23225, 122 sales, Jul to Sep 2026
- To downtown, 8 a.m.
- 7 to 10 min
- Home at 5 p.m.: 9 to 14 min
- Walk Score
- 58
- Area average, Forest Hill
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
Single-family detached homes from the 1920s through 1970s, bungalows, ranches, and Cape Cods on real lots, with a smaller pool of newer infill construction.
If You're Buying
The buying reality
Forest Hill is single-family Southside with real lots, and well-kept homes near the park move quickly. You are mostly looking at 1920s-to-1970s houses, so inspections matter and updated systems are worth paying for. The value here is space, yard, and park access at a more reachable price than the Fan-area neighborhoods. Be ready when the right house near the park comes up.
If You're Selling
The selling reality
Your buyer wants a yard, a quieter street, and Forest Hill Park or the river trails nearby, so sell the location and the lot. Proximity to the park is a genuine premium worth featuring. Condition and updates drive offers on these older homes. Price to the block and the home's actual condition, because Forest Hill buyers compare carefully across Southside.
Day to Day
Living in Forest Hill
You get Forest Hill Park, the James River trails, and a quiet residential neighborhood all inside city limits. Weekends are built around the park, the river, and the small commercial nodes nearby. It trades urban density for space and access to nature. People choose Forest Hill when they want the outdoors at their door without leaving the city.
Is It For You
Forest Hill may be a fit if
- You want city limits with the feel of a quieter residential neighborhood.
- You value access to Forest Hill Park and the James River trails.
- You want a single-family home with a yard at a more accessible price point than Fan-area neighborhoods.
Common Questions
Forest Hill FAQ
What is the property tax rate in Forest Hill?
Forest Hill is in the City of Richmond, which taxes real estate at $1.20 per $100 of assessed value and cars at $3.70 per $100 before state relief. Source: Richmond City Council, checked 2026-11-07.
What do homes sell for in Forest Hill?
Redfin's median sale price for zip 23225 was $392,360 across 122 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 Forest Hill to downtown Richmond?
Google Maps forecast 7 to 10 minutes for an 8 a.m. Tuesday drive to Riverfront Plaza downtown, and 9 to 14 minutes back at 5 p.m. At 8 a.m. it was VCU Medical Center 12 to 16 min, Innsbrook 22 to 30 min, Capital One West Creek 28 to 35 min, RIC airport 18 to 26 min. MAMS measured these November 7, 2026, for Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Drive your real route at rush hour before you buy.
Is Forest Hill walkable?
Walk Score's area average: Forest Hill 58, 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 Forest Hill?
Richmond Public Schools. Assignment goes by exact address and can change, so use the division's own lookup (https://www.rvaschools.net/enroll) before you write an offer. For official data on any school, the Virginia Department of Education publishes School Quality Profiles at schoolquality.virginia.gov.
Miles's Take
The honest read on Forest Hill
Forest Hill is one of the best values in the city for a buyer who wants a yard and the river without a suburban commute. The park access alone carries the neighborhood. The homes are older, so spend on the inspection and reward the houses with updated systems. Done right, this is a lot of life for the money.
Keep Going
Where Forest Hill fits in your search
Sources
Where every number comes from
- Richmond City Council: $1.20 per $100. Checked 2026-11-07.
- City of Richmond: $3.70 per $100 (passenger vehicles). Checked 2026-11-07.
- Redfin Data Center: $392,360 median sale price (122 homes sold, zip 23225). Checked 2026-11-07.
- Walk Score: 58 Walk Score. Checked 2026-11-07.
- Richmond Public Schools: Address-based School Locator Map. Checked 2026-11-07.
- Virginia Department of Education: VDOE School Quality Profiles and data download. Checked 2026-11-07.
- Drive times: Google Maps, driving, depart at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, read by MAMS on November 7, 2026.
Want the real read on Forest Hill?
Take the Richmond neighborhood quiz to see how Forest Hill stacks up against your needs, or text Miles to talk through what it would look like for you.
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.