Living in Chesterfield County, VA: Midlothian, Moseley, Bon Air and Chester

Chesterfield is the Richmond region's most populous county, and it covers a lot of ground south of the James River. Lake communities, golf neighborhoods, new construction and quiet older streets all sit inside its borders. For a lot of families, it's where the space-for-the-money math starts to work.

Where People Live in Chesterfield

Midlothian

Midlothian is the best-known part of the county. Communities like Brandermill and Woodlake wrap around the Swift Creek Reservoir, and newer neighborhoods keep spreading west along Route 288 and Hull Street. You'll find everything from 1980s colonials to brand-new builds.

Moseley and Western Chesterfield

Moseley, out past Route 288, is where a lot of the county's newer construction is happening. Planned communities like Magnolia Green and Harpers Mill bring pools, trails and newer floor plans.

Bon Air

Bon Air sits close to the Richmond city line, with established neighborhoods, mature trees and a quick drive to downtown. It's a favorite for buyers who want older homes with character and a shorter commute.

Chester

Chester is on the eastern side of the county along I-95. It has its own small-town center, solid value and the easiest drive in the area to Fort Gregg-Adams.

Schools

Chesterfield County Public Schools serves the whole county. Cosby, James River, Midlothian, Clover Hill and Thomas Dale are among the high schools buyers ask me about most. The district also runs specialty centers students can apply to.

School zones can change and don't always follow neighborhood lines, so I always verify zoning for a specific address before you write an offer.

Getting Around

• Route 288 connects western Chesterfield to I-64 and the West End.
• The Powhite Parkway and Chippenham Parkway get you downtown, usually in 20 to 30 minutes from Midlothian.
• I-95 runs through Chester toward Petersburg.
• Fort Gregg-Adams is about 25 to 35 minutes from Chester and roughly 40 to 50 minutes from Midlothian, depending on traffic.
• Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) is in Chesterfield, near Bellwood along I-95.

Taxes and Costs

Chesterfield's real estate tax rate is $0.89 per $100 of assessed value for 2026. On a $500,000 assessment, that's about $4,450 a year. Vehicles are taxed separately as personal property.

Things to Do

Pocahontas State Park, the largest state park in Virginia, is right in the county, with trails, a lake and mountain biking. The Swift Creek Reservoir draws boaters and paddlers, and there's plenty of shopping along Midlothian Turnpike and Hull Street.

Is Chesterfield a Good Fit for You?

Chesterfield is a great fit if you want:

• More house and yard for your budget
• Lake, golf and newer planned communities
• An easier commute to Fort Gregg-Adams or DSCR

Things to think about:

• It's a big county. Midlothian and Chester feel very different, so pick the area around your daily drive.
• Route 288 and Hull Street get busy at rush hour.
• Many newer neighborhoods have HOAs, so read the rules early.

Military Families and Chesterfield

If you're coming to Fort Gregg-Adams or DSCR, Chesterfield is usually the first place I'd look. You get a reasonable commute, a wide range of price points and plenty of homes that work well with a VA loan.

Thinking About Chesterfield?

Tell me where you'll be working and what matters most at home, and I'll help you narrow down the right part of Chesterfield. Call or text me anytime.

Tax rates come from county sources as of October 2026 and can change each year. Drive times are typical and depend on traffic.