The Princess Anne Courthouse area is the historic heart of southern Virginia Beach. It's centered on the Municipal Center, where Princess Anne Road meets North Landing Road. Buyers choose it for its mix of suburban neighborhoods, newer homes and nearby farmland, with easy access to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, Kellam High School and the drive south to Pungo.
Key facts
- The Princess Anne County courthouse was built in 1822 at the crossroads of today's Princess Anne and North Landing roads, and the county seat moved here from Kempsville in the 1820s.
- The Virginia Beach Courthouse Village and Municipal Center Historic District is listed by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
- City Hall and most city departments are at the Municipal Center, 2401 Courthouse Drive.
- Sentara Princess Anne Hospital opened in August 2011 at 2025 Glenn Mitchell Drive.
- The Virginia Beach Farmers Market is at 3640 Dam Neck Road, at Princess Anne Road.
- Kellam High School moved to 2665 West Neck Road in January 2014.
Where exactly is the Courthouse area?
When locals say "Courthouse" or "Princess Anne," they usually mean the area around the Municipal Center and the old courthouse village, roughly where Princess Anne Road, North Landing Road and Nimmo Parkway come together. It stretches toward Dam Neck Road to the north and fades into farmland to the south.
The name can be confusing:
- Princess Anne County was the old county that merged with the city of Virginia Beach in 1963.
- Princess Anne Road runs for miles across the city.
- Princess Anne High School is on Virginia Beach Boulevard, far to the north.
On my site, the Princess Anne neighborhood guide covers this south-central area.
What's the history of the Courthouse area?
After residents asked for a more central county seat, Princess Anne County built its sixth courthouse in 1822 at a crossroads that became known as Princess Anne Court House. A small village grew around it. After Princess Anne County and the city of Virginia Beach merged in 1963, the city built its Municipal Center next to the historic courthouse.
Today, the historic district includes the old courthouse buildings and the 20th-century municipal complex. If you like living near a bit of history, it's a nice feature of the area. Kempsville, the earlier county seat, has its own story in my Kempsville guide.
What kinds of homes are there?
You'll find a wide range:
- Established subdivisions of single-family homes from various decades.
- Newer neighborhoods, some with HOAs and community amenities.
- Townhomes in some communities.
- Rural homes and small acreage as you head south and east.
Home prices vary widely with age, lot size and location. Rather than quote numbers that go out of date, I'll point you to current homes for sale near the Courthouse area.
How does the Green Line affect the area?
The Courthouse area sits close to Virginia Beach's Green Line, a growth management line the city adopted in 1979 that runs roughly along Princess Anne Road. North of it, the city planned for suburban development. South of it is the Transition Area and then the rural area.
The Blue Line along Indian River Road and parts of the south marks the limit of city water and sewer service. South of that line, homes generally use private wells and septic systems.
What this means for buyers:
- Check utilities. Don't assume city water and sewer.
- Expect rural neighbors. Farms and open land are part of the charm.
- Ask about zoning. Agricultural zoning limits how land can be divided. See my guide to buying land or a farm in Pungo.
- Look at what's planned. The city's comprehensive plan guides future development in the Transition Area.
Which schools are near the Courthouse area?
School zones depend on the exact address, so confirm with the VBCPS School Locator before you buy. Schools located close to the Courthouse area include:
| School | Location | My page |
|---|---|---|
| Kellam High School | 2665 West Neck Road | Homes near Kellam High School |
| Princess Anne Middle School | 2323 Holland Road | Homes near Princess Anne Middle School |
If you specifically want Princess Anne High School, which hosts the International Baccalaureate academy, see homes near Princess Anne High School. Keep in mind that VBCPS academies are application programs open to students across the city, so you don't have to live in the host school's zone to apply. More in my guide to the best school zones in Virginia Beach.
What's nearby for daily life?
- Healthcare: Sentara Princess Anne Hospital off Dam Neck Road.
- Fresh food: The Virginia Beach Farmers Market at Dam Neck and Princess Anne roads, plus seasonal farm stands to the south.
- City services: City Hall, the courts and many city offices at the Municipal Center.
- Shopping: Shopping centers along Princess Anne Road, Nimmo Parkway and Dam Neck Road.
- Outdoors: Farm roads popular with cyclists, and a reasonable drive to Sandbridge and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
How are the commutes?
Living near the Courthouse puts you in the southern half of the city. Typical drives:
- NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex: Generally convenient by way of Dam Neck Road or General Booth Boulevard. See neighborhoods near NAS Oceana.
- The Oceanfront and Sandbridge: Reachable without highways.
- Town Center and Norfolk: You'll head north on Princess Anne Road, Independence Boulevard or other routes to I-264, so allow more time at rush hour.
Drive your commute at the time you'd actually travel before making an offer.
Is the area affected by Oceana noise zones?
Parts of southern Virginia Beach fall within the Navy's AICUZ noise zones around NAS Oceana and its outlying operations. Virginia law requires sellers to disclose when a home is in a military air installation noise or accident potential zone (Va. Code § 55.1-704). Check the city's AICUZ maps for any address, and visit at different times of day.
What are property taxes like here?
Most homes in the Courthouse area pay Virginia Beach's general real estate tax rate, which is $0.97 per $100 of assessed value for FY27. On a home assessed at $400,000, that's about $3,880 a year, paid in two installments due December 5 and June 5. Vehicles are taxed separately as personal property. For exemptions, relief programs and how assessments work, read my guide to Virginia Beach property taxes.
What should buyers watch for?
- Flood zones. Some low-lying areas and land near creeks and Back Bay tributaries are in FEMA flood zones. See my flood insurance guide.
- Wells and septic. If the home isn't on city utilities, get a septic inspection and water test.
- HOA documents. In newer communities, review the resale certificate carefully.
- Future development. Ask what's planned on nearby open land.
- Commute. Southern Virginia Beach can feel far from Norfolk at rush hour.
Ready to look at homes near the Courthouse?
Browse homes for sale in the Princess Anne Courthouse area and contact me or call or text (757) 919-8874. I'll help you check school zones, utilities, flood zones and noise zones for every home on your list.
Barry Jenkins, Legacy Home Team at LPT Realty
Sources
- Virginia DHR: Virginia Beach Courthouse Village and Municipal Center Historic District
- Sentara Princess Anne Hospital: About Us
- City of Virginia Beach: Farmers Market Celebrates 47 Years
- City of Virginia Beach: Where We Draw the Line: Rural Preservation, the Green Line and the Blue Line
- City of Virginia Beach Assessor: Tax Rates
- City of Virginia Beach: AICUZ
- Kellam High School: Our School
- Virginia School Quality Profiles: Princess Anne Middle
- VBCPS: School Locator
- VBCPS: Academies and Advanced Programs
- Code of Virginia § 55.1-704: Disclosure of military air installation
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Courthouse area in Virginia Beach?
It's centered on the Virginia Beach Municipal Center around Princess Anne Road and North Landing Road in the south-central part of the city. It's near where the old Princess Anne County courthouse was built in 1822.
Is Princess Anne High School in the Courthouse area?
No. Despite the name, Princess Anne High School is on Virginia Beach Boulevard in the northern part of the city. Kellam High School on West Neck Road and Princess Anne Middle School on Holland Road are much closer to the Courthouse area. Always confirm a home's zoned schools with the VBCPS School Locator.
Does the Princess Anne area have city water and sewer?
Many homes north of the Blue Line along Indian River Road are on city water and sewer, but some properties, especially farther south and on rural roads, use private wells and septic systems. Confirm utilities for each property.
Is there new construction near the Courthouse?
There's been newer development in parts of the area, alongside older homes and rural properties. Availability changes, so check current listings and ask about any builder's community before you visit.
Is the Courthouse area close to a hospital?
Yes. Sentara Princess Anne Hospital opened in 2011 at 2025 Glenn Mitchell Drive, off Dam Neck Road, which is a short drive from much of the area.
Is the Princess Anne area rural?
It's a mix. The area sits close to the Green Line, so you'll find suburban neighborhoods near the Municipal Center and more rural land and farms as you head south toward Pungo.