Mathews County, Virginia
History, art, water, land, community, and a go-get-em entrepreneurial spirit — all tucked into one of Virginia's most distinctive coastal counties, 90 minutes from Richmond.
The Case for Mathews
People who relocate to Mathews aren't settling. They're opting out of traffic, noise, and sprawl — and into something rarer: a place with genuine history, a thriving arts scene, working watermen and artisan farmers, entrepreneurs building real things, and neighbors who show up for each other.
Ready to Relocate? →Over 240 miles of tidal shoreline, public beaches, and the Chesapeake Bay at your doorstep. It's backdrop and lifestyle in one — a very good part of the picture, not the whole of it.
Four museums, a historical society, and a WWII merchant marine legacy that produced more servicemen per capita than nearly any county in the country. This place has real layers.
One of the most tree-dense coastal areas in Virginia. Space to grow native plants, welcome wildlife, tend a small artisan farm, or simply have land that breathes. No sprawl eating it up.
A calendar packed with genuine local events — fish fries, oyster roasts, concerts, art galas, boat races. Neighbors who notice when you're new and make you feel like you've been here for years.
Over $50 million in federal awards to Mathews businesses. A strong small-business culture, independent makers, and people who build things here — not just retire here. Ideas land in Mathews.
Property values and tax rates that haven't caught up with the lifestyle on offer. Low cost of living. Waterfront within reach. A county that rewards people who find it early.
History, Arts & Heritage
Mathews punches well above its weight culturally. Four museums, a historical society, a dedicated arts center, and a community of working artists make this a place where creative and curious people feel at home.
Gwynn's Island Museum, Mathews Museum, Mathews Maritime Foundation & Museum, and Tompkins Cottage Museum — plus the Mathews County Historical Society preserving records going back to the county's 1791 founding.
A working arts hub hosting classes, workshops, exhibitions, and community events year-round — from cupcake wars to the annual Bay of Secrets Soiree. It's where creative life in Mathews gathers.
A month-long ArtFest each September and a Made in Mathews Open Studio Tour in late fall open studios, galleries, and workshops across the county. Local artists aren't a side note — they're part of the fabric.
Land, Nature & The Great Outdoors
Mathews is one of the most tree-dense coastal counties in Virginia. That canopy provides shade, habitat, storm buffering, and quiet that is hard to come by on the coast. The county has remained largely undeveloped — no interstate, no big-box sprawl — giving residents genuine land at prices that reflect that reality.
And when you're ready to eat: watermen-caught blue crabs and oysters, a weekly farmers market April through October, and independents like Richardson's — a local institution that'll take you back in time.
Land, Nature & The Great Outdoors
Mathews is one of the most tree-dense coastal counties in Virginia. That canopy provides shade, habitat, storm buffering, and quiet that is hard to come by on the coast. The county has remained largely undeveloped — no interstate, no big-box sprawl — giving residents genuine land at prices that reflect that reality.
And when you're ready to eat: watermen-caught blue crabs and oysters, a weekly farmers market April through October, and independents like Richardson's — a local institution that'll take you back in time.
On the Water
Mathews County is surrounded by water on three sides — the Chesapeake Bay, Mobjack Bay, the Piankatank River, and dozens of tidal creeks and inlets. For the people who live here, that water isn't scenery. It's a kayak launch, a crabbing ground, a fishing spot, a working oysterman's territory, and the view from the table where seafood that was alive this morning gets served tonight.
Internet & Connectivity
Mathews isn't off the grid — and it's getting more connected every year. Broadband access is solid and expanding, with fiber infrastructure being extended incrementally across more of the county. For remote workers and location-independent professionals, Mathews is a legitimate option.
The EDA is actively working with providers and state and federal programs to accelerate broadband deployment. If connectivity is a concern for your relocation, reach out — we can give you the current picture for specific areas of the county.
Ask About Broadband →Cable and DSL covers most populated areas; fiber expanding
Active infrastructure investment; new areas connected incrementally
Major carriers provide solid coverage across most of the county
Full satellite coverage — a practical option for more remote parcels
Housing & Real Estate
Waterfront character, low property taxes, and a genuine range of property types — from in-town starter homes to deep-water lots. Mathews offers more shoreline, more community, and more value per dollar than anywhere else on the Chesapeake.
Community Calendar
Mathews has the kind of event calendar that makes you wonder how a county of 8,800 pulls it off. The answer: people who show up and make things happen, year after year.
Ready to Make the Move?
Questions about housing, broadband, real estate agents, local businesses, or what life in Mathews actually looks like day-to-day — the EDA is a small shop and we respond fast. We can make the right introductions and answer any economic or business questions you have.
