Winchester Local Information
Practical information for Winchester and Winchester city: who governs what, trash and recycling, permits, weather alerts and who to call, each linked to the official source.
Featured
Trash and recycling pickup in Winchester: schedule, holidays, bulk
Winchester picks up trash and recycling on one weekday set by your ward and yard waste on Fridays. Carts out by 6 a.m. Questions: 540-773-1340.
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Winchester
Winchester, Winchester city and the neighbors: who governs what
How Winchester fits into Winchester city and Virginia: the city, the county, Winchester City Public Schools, the neighboring towns within 15 miles, and which one to call for what.
Property taxes
Winchester city property taxes: rates, due dates and appeals
Winchester's real estate tax is $0.795 per $100 of assessed value, billed in halves due June 5 and Dec. 5. The next bill is due Monday, Dec. 7, 2026.
Permits
Building permits and zoning in Winchester
Winchester takes building, zoning and event permits through its OpenGov portal. Community Development: 540-667-1815, option 7, at Rouss City Hall.
Roads
Winchester road work: Millwood Avenue and Route 7 at I-81
Millwood Avenue has lane closures for the I-81 bridge rebuild, and Route 7 narrows overnight at I-81 through Nov. 20. Pall Mall Street reopens Nov. 18.
Home prices
Winchester home prices and housing market
The typical Winchester home was worth $398,946 in September 2026, up 1% in a year, Zillow says. FHFA's metro index rose 6.7% in a year to the second quarter.
Schools
Winchester schools guide: schools, calendars and ratings
Winchester Public Schools runs seven schools, all fully accredited; John Handley High is rated Distinguished. Register at 598 N. Kent St.; 540-667-4253.
Things to do
Things to do in Winchester this month: October 2026
October in Winchester: pumpkin festivals Oct. 24, ghost tours on the mall Oct. 28-31, Haunted Nightmares, the Big Cheese Festival and the Last Sunday Market.
Voting
Voting in Winchester: registration, polling places, early voting
Winchester approved the 1% school sales tax and elected 3 new council members Nov. 3, with every ballot now counted. Here is how to register and vote next time.
Farmers markets
Winchester farmers markets and farm markets
The Last Sunday Market runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the walking mall; the Market at Solenberger's runs Wednesdays 3 to 7 p.m. Plus farm markets around the city.
Parks
Parks and trails in Winchester
Winchester has more than 270 acres of parks, led by Jim Barnett Park, and the 6.06-mile Green Circle Trail. Parks open dawn to dusk. Parks office: 540-662-4946.
Restaurant inspections
Restaurant inspection scores in Winchester: how to check
Winchester restaurants are inspected by the Virginia Department of Health. How to read the reports, where to find them and how to complain: 540-722-3480.
Business
New businesses in Winchester: October 2026
New in Winchester: Manya Peruvian Chicken on South Cameron Street, Valley Golf Lounge on the walking mall, Froggy's Closet's new home and more ribbon cuttings.
Public notices
Public notices in Winchester: where to find them
Where Winchester's legal notices, public hearings, bids and meeting agendas are published, with links to Public Notices Virginia and the city's portals.
City Hall
Who to call at Winchester City Hall
Winchester City Hall is 540-667-1815. Mayor, City Council by ward, the city manager and every department's number, plus police non-emergency: 540-662-4131.
Power outages
Power outages in Winchester: who to call and outage maps
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative serves the city of Winchester. Report an outage at 800-234-7832 or on SVEC's outage map; not by email or social media.
Population
Winchester population 2026: growth, age, income and housing
Winchester had 28,272 residents on July 1, 2025, the Census Bureau estimates, up 7.9% since 2010. Age, income, households and housing figures.
History
Winchester history and landmarks: founding, museums, National Register
Founded in 1744 and chartered in 1752, Winchester is the oldest Virginia city west of the Blue Ridge. Its National Register sites, museums and cemeteries.
Moving
Moving to Winchester: utilities, schools, trash, permits, taxes
New to Winchester? Start water and sewer with the city (540-773-1358), power with SVEC, gas with Washington Gas, then register your car and get a dog tag.
Transportation
Getting around Winchester: roads, buses, airport and parking
Winchester's Loop Route bus is $1 and WinReady on-demand rides $1.50. Downtown meters run 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays; four garages are open 24/7.
Neighborhoods
Winchester neighborhoods: where to live and what each area is like
Winchester's plan divides the city into 10 planning areas, all in ZIP 22601. Zillow's typical 22601 value was $349,952 in September 2026.
Neighborhoods
Central Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Central Winchester, south of Gerrard Street, is all in the Quarles Elementary zone and ZIP 22601, about 1.1 miles by road from I-81 Exit 313.
Neighborhoods
East Central Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
East Central Winchester holds 168-acre Jim Barnett Park and Shenandoah University and is 0.8 miles by road from I-81 Exit 313, all in ZIP 22601.
Neighborhoods
North Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
North Winchester lies north of Wyck Street along U.S. 11, all in ZIP 22601 and the Virginia Avenue Elementary zone, about 2 miles from I-81 Exit 317.
Neighborhoods
Northeast Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Northeast Winchester has five city parks, Virginia Avenue Elementary and the Daniel Morgan schools, and sits 0.8 miles by road from I-81 Exit 315.
Neighborhoods
Northwest Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Northwest Winchester, north of Amherst Street, holds Winchester Medical Center and Whittier Park; 90% of addresses are zoned for John Kerr Elementary.
Neighborhoods
Old Town, Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Old Town/North Central is the city's historic core, all in ZIP 22601, zoned for John Kerr or Virginia Avenue elementary and Handley High.
Neighborhoods
South Central Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
South Central Winchester, east of Valley Avenue, holds Frederick Douglass Elementary; 71% of addresses are zoned for Quarles Elementary.
Neighborhoods
Southeast Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Southeast Winchester holds Apple Blossom Mall and the South Pleasant Valley Road stores; most homes are zoned for Frederick Douglass Elementary.
Neighborhoods
Southwest Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Southwest Winchester, west of Valley Avenue, has three city parks; 57% of addresses are zoned for Quarles Elementary and 43% for Frederick Douglass.
Neighborhoods
West Central Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
West Central Winchester holds Handley High, John Kerr Elementary, Glen Burnie and the Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve, all in ZIP 22601.
Winchester Public Schools
Winchester public schools: every school, zone and report card
All seven Winchester Public Schools schools: address, grades, fall 2025 enrollment and state framework score, with zone links. Central Office: 540-667-4253.