Welcome to Williamsburg! The greater Williamsburg area is comprised of the city of Williamsburg and James City County.

In 1607, the Virginia Company established what was to become the first permanent English colony in the New World on Jamestown Island. Today, James City County is a suburban county of over 50,000 people, about half-way between the metropolitan areas of Richmond and Hampton Roads.

Williamsburg was founded as the capital of the Virginia Colony in 1699. Colonial leaders petitioned the Virginia Assembly to relocate the capital from Jamestown to Middle Plantation, five miles inland between the James and the York Rivers. The new city was renamed Williamsburg in honor of England’s reigning monarch, King William III. Today, the city of Williamsburg is home for 14,000 residents and is also home to one of the country’s best colleges, the College of William & Mary.

The Williamsburg area is rich with attractions, including beaches, bike and hiking trails and several parks; historical sites such as Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement; as well as Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. The community also has great restaurants, many golf course options and shopping galore. The Visit Williamsburg website is a great resource for new residents. New residents also will find a wealth of information on both the city and the county websites.