Petersburg is a city in Virginia, United States. It is an "independent city," meaning it is not part of a larger county. In 2020, about 33,458 people lived there. Most of the people living in Petersburg are Black Americans.

The city is located about 21 miles (34 km) south of Richmond, which is the capital of Virginia. Petersburg sits on the Appomattox River, where the river drops from higher land to lower land. This spot was important because boats could not travel further upstream. This made it a great place for trade and building mills.

In 1645, a fort called Fort Henry was built here. This fort helped attract traders and settlers. Petersburg officially became a town in 1748 and then a city in 1850. It grew into a major center for transportation and factories.

Petersburg was a key city during the American Civil War (1861–1865). Its many railroads made it important for supplying the Confederate capital, Richmond. The Siege of Petersburg lasted for nine months in 1864–65. This included the famous Battle of the Crater and a lot of trench warfare. Today, parts of these battlefields are protected as the Petersburg National Battlefield.

Petersburg is also known for having some of the oldest free Black settlements in Virginia, like Pocahontas Island. Two of the oldest Black churches in the United States are also found here. These churches played a big role in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Virginia State University, a historically Black college, is located nearby.

Today, Petersburg is still an important transportation hub. Major highways like Interstate 85 and 95 pass through it. Train services also connect the city to other places. The city uses its rich history to attract visitors and new businesses. The U.S. Army's Fort Gregg-Adams is also a major employer in the area.

Exploring Petersburg's Past

Petersburg, Va., from Duns Hill, around 1880.

The Civil War headquarters of the 5th Corps near Petersburg, photographed in June 1864.

Early Native American Life

Long before Europeans arrived, Native Americans lived in the Petersburg area. Digs on Pocahontas Island show that people lived there as far back as 6,500 BCE.

When English settlers came in 1607, the local tribe was the Appamatuck. They were part of the powerful Powhatan Confederacy. They had a town near what is now Petersburg.

How Petersburg Was Founded

English colonists founded Petersburg at a key spot on the Appomattox River. In 1646, the Virginia Colony built Fort Henry near the river's falls. These falls provided power for mills.

Around 1675, Peter Jones, who was in charge of the fort, opened a trading post. It was called Peter's Point. In 1733, a man named William Byrd II planned a city here, calling it Petersburgh. The Virginia government officially made Petersburg a town in 1748.

Petersburg During the Revolutionary War

During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), Petersburg saw fighting. The Battle of Blanford happened just east of the city in 1781. British forces captured Petersburg, but they didn't win the war. The British army later surrendered at Yorktown.

After the war, Petersburg grew by adding nearby towns. During the War of 1812, local soldiers called the Petersburg Volunteers fought bravely. President James Madison called Petersburg "Cockade of the Union" because of their courage. This led to the city's nickname, "Cockade City."

The Free Black Community in Petersburg

Petersburg was home to a large community of free Black Americans. They founded the First Baptist (1774) and Gillfield Baptist Church (1797). These are two of the oldest Black congregations in the United States.

Many free Black people moved to Petersburg, even with strict laws against them. By 1860, nearly 26% of all free people in Petersburg were Black. This was the highest percentage in any Southern city. Free Black men worked in factories and as skilled workers. Free Black women worked in factories or as seamstresses.

Pocahontas Island became a main area for free Black residents. It was an important stop on the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people escape to freedom.

Petersburg Before the Civil War

Before the Civil War, Petersburg became a major industrial city in the South. It was the 11th largest city in slave states. Factories processed cotton, tobacco, and metal. Petersburg and Richmond became the world's biggest tobacco towns.

The city also became a railroad hub. By 1860, four railroads connected Petersburg to other areas. This helped move goods and people, making Petersburg a very important city for trade.

Petersburg and the Civil War

At the start of the American Civil War in 1861, Petersburg was Virginia's second-largest city. It was vital for the Confederate war effort. The city sent many soldiers and helped build defenses. Over 300 free Black Americans volunteered to work on fortifications.

The Siege of Petersburg

In 1864, Union General Ulysses S. Grant targeted Petersburg. He wanted to cut off the railroads that supplied Richmond, the Confederate capital. The Siege of Petersburg began on June 9, 1864, and lasted 292 days.

During the siege, the Union forces suffered a big loss at the Battle of the Crater. Over 4,000 soldiers were hurt or killed. Finally, in April 1865, Union troops cut off Petersburg's last railroad lines. This forced the Confederate army to retreat.

The fall of Petersburg meant Richmond could no longer be defended. Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. This ended the Civil War.

Rebuilding After the War

After the Civil War, many freed slaves moved to Petersburg. They started new churches, businesses, and organizations. The damaged railroads were repaired.

In 1882, Virginia State University was founded nearby. It was one of the first public colleges for Black students in the Mid-Atlantic. This helped improve education for Black Americans.

Petersburg in the 20th Century

In the early 1900s, Virginia passed "Jim Crow" laws. These laws created racial segregation and took away voting rights from most Black citizens.

After World War II, Black Americans in Petersburg fought for equal rights. They wanted to end segregation and get their voting power back. In 1949, a local politician named Remmie Arnold promised to treat all Virginians fairly, which was unusual for the time.

The Civil Rights Movement

Petersburg's Black churches, like First Baptist and Gillfield Baptist, were central to the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, a pastor at Gillfield Baptist, helped start the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..

In the 1950s, Black Americans in Petersburg worked to desegregate public schools and facilities. When the city closed a popular swimming lake to prevent integration, activists protested. Through sit-ins, they helped desegregate lunch counters in the city.

Virginia leaders strongly opposed school integration. Some schools in other parts of Virginia were even closed to avoid it. In Petersburg, a private school opened for white students to avoid integration.

Economic Challenges and Changes

Petersburg faced economic challenges in the late 20th century. Many factories closed, and jobs were lost. New highways led people to move to suburbs outside the city.

In 1971, Petersburg tried to annex (take in) land from nearby counties to expand its tax base. This added many white residents. Black civil rights groups argued that this was done to reduce the voting power of Black citizens. A judge agreed and ordered the city to create voting districts to ensure fair representation.

In the late 1980s, many stores moved from downtown Petersburg to a new mall in a nearby town. This hurt Petersburg's economy. Civil rights activists organized a boycott of the new mall to push for more job opportunities for Black residents.

In the 1990s, Petersburg worked to restore its historic buildings. In 1993, a strong tornado hit downtown, damaging many restored buildings.

Petersburg Today

In the 21st century, Petersburg's downtown, called Old Towne, has seen new businesses open. These include restaurants, shops, and apartments. The nearby Fort Gregg-Adams has expanded, bringing more jobs to the area.

In 2022, Virginia's governor and Petersburg's mayor started the "Partnership for Petersburg." This plan aims to improve education, public safety, health, and transportation in the city.

Where is Petersburg?

Petersburg is located at 37°12′46″N 77°24′1″W / 37.21278°N 77.40028°W / 37.21278; -77.40028.

The city covers about 23.2 square miles (60.1 km²). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water.

Petersburg is on the Appomattox River at the fall line. This is where the rocky Piedmont region meets the flat Atlantic coastal plain. Rivers often have rapids or waterfalls at the fall line. This spot was important because it was as far as boats could travel inland. It also provided water power for mills.

Petersburg is about 21 miles (34 km) south of Richmond. It is also where two major highways, Interstates 95 and 85, meet. Petersburg is part of the larger Richmond-Petersburg area.

The U.S. government groups Petersburg with nearby cities and counties for statistics. This area is known as the "Appomattox Basin."

Nearby Areas

Chesterfield County, Virginia—north
Colonial Heights, Virginia—north
Dinwiddie County, Virginia—west, south
Prince George County, Virginia—east, southeast

Protected Natural Areas

Petersburg National Battlefield Park (part)

Petersburg's Weather

Climate data for PETERSBURG, VA, 1991-2020 normals
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	49.1 (9.5)	52.2 (11.2)	60.1 (15.6)	70.4 (21.3)	78.2 (25.7)	85.5 (29.7)	89.3 (31.8)	87.4 (30.8)	81.5 (27.5)	71.6 (22.0)	61.5 (16.4)	52.6 (11.4)	70.0 (21.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	38.7 (3.7)	40.7 (4.8)	48.1 (8.9)	58.0 (14.4)	66.6 (19.2)	74.8 (23.8)	79.2 (26.2)	77.4 (25.2)	71.1 (21.7)	59.8 (15.4)	49.4 (9.7)	41.6 (5.3)	58.8 (14.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	28.3 (−2.1)	29.1 (−1.6)	36.1 (2.3)	45.6 (7.6)	55.0 (12.8)	64.2 (17.9)	69.0 (20.6)	67.3 (19.6)	60.8 (16.0)	48.0 (8.9)	37.3 (2.9)	30.6 (−0.8)	47.6 (8.7)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.02 (77)	2.70 (69)	4.37 (111)	3.62 (92)	4.37 (111)	4.23 (107)	4.70 (119)	5.31 (135)	4.63 (118)	3.41 (87)	3.16 (80)	3.47 (88)	46.99 (1,194)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	9.3	8.9	9.8	10.6	11.6	10.0	9.2	10.4	8.3	8.6	8.7	9.8	115.2
Source: NOAA

Petersburg has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

Who Lives in Petersburg?

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1790	2,828	—
1800	3,521	24.5%
1810	5,668	61.0%
1820	6,690	18.0%
1830	8,322	24.4%
1840	11,136	33.8%
1850	13,950	25.3%
1860	18,266	30.9%
1870	18,950	3.7%
1880	21,656	14.3%
1890	22,680	4.7%
1900	21,810	−3.8%
1910	24,127	10.6%
1920	31,012	28.5%
1930	28,564	−7.9%
1940	30,631	7.2%
1950	35,054	14.4%
1960	36,750	4.8%
1970	36,103	−1.8%
1980	41,055	13.7%
1990	38,386	−6.5%
2000	33,740	−12.1%
2010	32,420	−3.9%
2020	33,458	3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2012

Population in 2020

In 2020, Petersburg had 33,458 people.

**Petersburg city, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition**
*Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.*
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	4,902	5,178	15.12%	15.48%
Black or African American alone (NH)	25,419	24,530	78.41%	73.32%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	87	105	0.27%	0.31%
Asian alone (NH)	263	330	0.81%	0.99%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	12	30	0.04%	0.09%
Other race alone (NH)	31	190	0.10%	0.57%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	490	1,125	1.51%	3.36%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1,216	1,970	3.75%	5.89%
Total	32,420	33,458	100.00%	100.00%

Most people in Petersburg are Black or African American. There are also White, Asian, Native American, and other racial groups. Some people are of Hispanic or Latino background.

Petersburg's Economy

Petersburg has a long history as a center for factories. Companies like Arnold Pen Co., Seward Trunk Co., and Amsted Rail-Brenco bearings operate here. In the past, it was known for tobacco companies.

Today, large distribution centers for companies like Walmart and Amazon.com are located nearby. These centers provide many jobs for people in the area.

Getting Around Petersburg

Petersburg is well-connected by roads and railways. The city is served by major highways like Interstate 85 and Interstate 95.

Train services by Amtrak also run through Petersburg. There is a bus station with Greyhound service. A local bus system, Petersburg Area Transit, helps people travel within the city and the surrounding "Tri-Cities" area.

For air travel, Richmond International Airport is less than 30 miles (48 km) north of Petersburg.

Main Roads in Petersburg

I-85
I-95
US 1
US 301
US 301 Alt.
US 460
US 460 Bus.
SR 36

Arts and Culture in Petersburg


Petersburg Old Town Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district

Intersection of Sycamore and Bollingbrook
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Location	U.S. 1 and VA 36, Petersburg, Virginia
Area	190 acres (77 ha)
Architect	Multiple
NRHP reference No.	80004314
Added to NRHP	July 04, 1980

Petersburg has worked hard to preserve its historic buildings. The city has many old structures from the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s. These buildings give the city a unique feel.

The Petersburg Old Town Historic District is a special area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. People enjoy the historic buildings and walking around downtown. Many old buildings have been turned into new restaurants, shops, and apartments.

The city is also a lively arts center. It has an Arts League and a performing arts center called Sycamore Rouge. They put on plays, live music, and cabaret shows. On the second Friday of each month, the city celebrates "Friday of the Arts," where local art and music are featured.

Pocahontas Island, a historic Black community, is also a listed historic district. Another beautiful old house is Battersea, built in 1767.

Sports in Petersburg

Petersburg has a history with minor league baseball. Teams like the Petersburg Goobers played here from 1885 to 1951. Famous baseball player Sam Rice played for the Goobers.

More recently, the Petersburg Generals played in a summer baseball league at the Petersburg Sports Complex. They won a league championship in their first season in 2000.

Schools and Learning in Petersburg

Public Schools

Petersburg City Public Schools serve students in the city.

High school

Petersburg High School

Middle school

Vernon Johns Middle School

Elementary schools

Cool Springs Elementary School
Lakemont Elementary School
Walnut Hill Elementary School
Blandford Academy K-5
Pleasants Lane Elementary School
Westview Early Childhood Education Center

Other Schools

Specialty Schools

Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts and Technology
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies

Private Schools

Bermuda Run Educational Center
Blandford Manor Education Center
Grace Baptist School
Restoration Military Academy
Rock Church Academy
Robert A. Lewis SDA School
St. Joseph School

Colleges and Universities

There are three colleges and universities in the Petersburg area:

Brightpoint Community College
Richard Bland College
Virginia State University

Famous People from Petersburg

Many notable people have connections to Petersburg:

Blair Underwood, actor
Trey Songz, R&B singer
Joseph Cotten, actor
Harold Cruse, social critic and teacher
Edith Luckett Davis, actress and mother of Nancy Reagan
Ricky Hunley, NFL defensive player
Vernon Johns, civil rights leader
Rudi Johnson, former NFL running back
John Mercer Langston, abolitionist, educator, and politician
Kendall Langford, NFL defensive player
William Mahone, Civil War General and politician
Frank Mason III, NBA point guard
Moses Malone, NBA Hall of Fame player
Jennifer McClellan, U.S. congresswoman
Afemo Omilami, actor
Dee Dee Ramone, punk rocker
Joseph Jenkins Roberts, first president of Liberia
Winfield Scott, U.S. Army general
Norman Sisisky, U.S. Representative
Ricky Smith, Houston Texans general manager
Wyatt T. Walker, civil rights leader
Mark West, NBA player
Shalita Grant, Tony Award-nominated actress
John M Richardson, Admiral

Images for kids

Downtown Petersburg
Flag of Petersburg, Virginia
Seal of Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg, Va., from Duns Hill, around 1880.
The Civil War headquarters of the 5th Corps near Petersburg, photographed in June 1864.
U.S. Engineer Battalion, during the Siege of Petersburg, August 1864
South Side Railroad Depot on Rock Street.
The city market that has been preserved and is still used as a market.