Retiring in Henrico
Henrico offers retirees a real, meaningfully lower property tax rate than Richmond city, genuine healthcare access via Henrico Doctors' Hospital and nearby VCU Medical Center/Bon Secours St. Mary's, and Virginia's real Social-Security exemption and age-65 deduction, balanced against Virginia's near-flat 5.75% income tax on most other retirement income.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreA real property-tax advantage over Richmond city
Henrico's real estate tax rate ($0.85 per $100 of assessed value in current 2026 sources) runs meaningfully below Richmond city's $1.20 rate -- a real, ongoing annual savings for a retiree on a fixed income choosing the county over the city on a similarly assessed home.
Genuine, direct healthcare access
As detailed in healthcare, Henrico hosts HCA Virginia's nationally recognized Henrico Doctors' Hospital directly within the county, plus genuinely close proximity to VCU Medical Center (ranked #1 in Virginia) and Bon Secours St. Mary's just across the Richmond line -- a real, practical asset for retirees prioritizing healthcare access.
Virginia's real Social Security exemption and age deduction apply
Social Security benefits are fully exempt from Virginia income tax at any age, and retirees 65+ can claim an age deduction of up to $12,000 (phased out above $50,000 single / $75,000 MFJ federal AGI) -- a real, structural benefit for retirees relying significantly on Social Security income, applying identically in Henrico as statewide.
Virginia's near-flat income tax applies to most other retirement income
Beyond Social Security, Virginia's graduated brackets function as a near-flat 5.75% tax on most other retirement income (including most retirement-account withdrawals) once income clears the $17,000 threshold -- a real, structural cost for retirees relocating from a no-income-tax state, independent of Henrico's own local property-tax advantage.
Key takeaways
- Henrico's real estate tax rate ($0.85/$100) runs meaningfully below Richmond city's ($1.20/$100) -- a real, ongoing savings for retirees choosing the county over the city.
- Genuine, direct healthcare access via Henrico Doctors' Hospital plus close proximity to VCU Medical Center and Bon Secours St. Mary's.
- Social Security is fully exempt from Virginia income tax at any age; the age-65 deduction (up to $12,000) phases out above $50,000/$75,000 federal AGI.
- Virginia's near-flat 5.75% income tax applies to most other retirement income -- a real, structural cost independent of Henrico's local property-tax advantage.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Henrico overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert