Some Virginia transplants do a great job of seamlessly blending in with locals born and raised in the Old Dominion. Others? Well, it’s pretty darn obvious they’re not from around there.

These are some things that define how Virginian you truly are. Before you get upset about us defining a “true” Virginian, know that this is all in good fun.

And, of course, this is far from a complete list of things that make a Virginian a Virginian. Share your favorite “so Virginian” perspective with us.

UVA vs Virginia Tech

Sports in Virginia center on the rivalry between the University of Virginia (UVA) and Virginia Tech, and all Virginians know it.

If you’re a true Virginian, you’ll either wear orange and blue for UVA or maroon and burnt orange for Virginia Tech—colors that spark strong opinions. Catching a heated football game or cheering courtside at a basketball match is a favorite pastime for many locals.

This rivalry isn’t just about points on the board. It’s also about bragging rights among friends, family, and co-workers. Virginia graduates and fans alike love to debate over which school is better. If you’ve ever been caught in a good-natured argument about the latest game or pinned a flag for your team on the front porch, you’re carrying on a true Virginia tradition.

Naming the Capital

Ask a non-Virginian what Virginia’s state capital is, and you might get Washington, D.C. as an answer. Of course, true Virginians know that Richmond is Virginia’s capital. They might even be able to tell you it’s been the capital since the 1780s.

Many visitors find it surprising that the largest city in Virginia is actually Virginia Beach, not Richmond. But Richmond’s status as capital goes hand in hand with its role in the state’s earliest days.

Today, Richmond is known for more than its historic sites. The city’s creative food scene, vibrant arts festivals, and scenic river trails draw people from across the state and beyond. If you’re a true Virginian, you should be able to proudly point out the significance of this historic city—not just because it’s the capital, but because it’s also bursting with culture.

Explaining “Virginia Is for Lovers”

“Virginia Is for Lovers” became the state’s tourism slogan back in 1969, and every “real” Virginian knows it.

While many Virginians believe the kind of “love” the phrase refers to is about the love of nature or history, tourists and Virginia transplant newbies often assume it’s about romance. Regardless, you’ll see “Virginia Is for Lovers” on bumper stickers, T-shirts, and billboards all over the state.

For many Virginians, “lovers” also means fans of anything that makes the state unique. From the smoky peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sandy shores of the Atlantic, there’s a lot to love there. If you’re truly Virginian at heart, you’ve probably used or at least heard this catchy phrase and can explain why it’s stuck around so long.

First Thanksgiving

Many Americans assume the first Thanksgiving was in Plymouth, Massachusetts. But people who grew up in the Virginia school system have a different—ahem, real—story.

In 1619, settlers at Berkeley Plantation held a day of thanks, which happened before the famous gathering in Plymouth. That’s why you might hear Virginians proudly claim the state as the true home of Thanksgiving.

This is more than a friendly rivalry. For locals, it shows how important Virginia’s early colonies were in shaping American traditions. Knowing this bit of trivia can spark a lively debate at any non-Virginian family dinner table.

Understanding Monticello’s Uniqueness

Monticello is Thomas Jefferson’s famous home in Charlottesville. But as “real” Virginians know, it’s more than just a big house—its design was groundbreaking for its time, with a dome and clever details you can still see today.

UNESCO even named Monticello a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural value. Visitors tour the grounds to learn about Jefferson’s innovations and Virginia’s role in America’s early years.

But Monticello’s story isn’t just about architecture. It also highlights the complicated history of slavery in the United States. Jefferson owned more than 600 enslaved people, including families who lived and worked there. If you consider yourself a true Virginian, you should know Monticello stands both as an architectural gem and a reminder of the state’s complex past.

Knowing the Peanuts Connection

Peanuts aren’t the first thing many Americans associate with Virginia, but as true Virginians well know, they play a bigger role than many think.

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia has a long history of peanut production. The southeastern part of the state, especially around Suffolk, is known as the “Peanut Capital.”

This history dates back to the 1800s, when peanuts became a popular crop in the region. Today, Virginia peanuts are prized for being extra large and tasty. Many Virginians grow up snacking on boiled or roasted peanuts at local fairs and festivals. If you can chat about the difference between a Virginia peanut and a runner peanut, you’ve definitely got local cred.

Eating Smithfield Ham

Non-meat eaters aside, every “real” Virginian has tried—and often regularly consumes—Smithfield ham. This is a type of country ham that comes from the town of Smithfield in southeastern Virginia. It has a salty, smoky taste that many Virginians remember from holiday dinners or roadside shops.

The town of Smithfield even set rules on what can be called “Smithfield ham,” showing just how important this tradition is to locals. If you’re a Virginian, you might have grown up seeing these hams hanging in country stores, ready to be sliced and shared.

Smithfield ham isn’t just a meal—it’s a piece of culture. You’ll find festivals, tastings, and family recipes that have been passed down for generations. Some people like it in biscuits, others enjoy it alongside eggs for breakfast, and a few even pair it with sweet preserves. If you’ve tasted Smithfield ham and boast about its unique flavor, you’re well on your way to showing off your Virginian roots.

Mother of Presidents

Virginia is often called the “Mother of Presidents,” and true Virginians can tell you it’s because eight U.S. presidents were born there, more than any other state.

These presidents include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson. If you’re from the Old Dominion, you’ve likely heard these names in class or seen their portraits in local museums.

This connection to the nation’s highest office is a major point of pride for Virginians. Many historical sites across the state celebrate these leaders’ accomplishments, from George Washington’s Mount Vernon to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

9 Hilarious Virginia Town Names That’ll Make You LOL

PSA: Read this where you won’t embarrass yourself laughing. Whether you’re a Virginia local or just passing through, these town names are sure to make you chuckle when you see them.

9 Hilarious Virginia Town Names That’ll Make You LOL

6 Things Retirees Wish They Could Change About Virginia Living

Virginia is often considered a dream location for retirees. But no place is perfect. These are some of the top things many retirees wish would change about living in the Old Dominion.

6 Things Retirees Wish They Could Change About Virginia Living

Tornadoes can occur anywhere, but the US is particularly prone to them. Our wide, Midwestern plains provide the perfect environmental conditions for tornado activity.

Scientists categorize the deadly and catastrophic storms by the Enhanced Fujita or EF scale which uses damage indicators to estimate wind speeds. The scale runs from EF-O (no damage) to EF-5 (severe destruction). The tornadoes on this list are all at least EF-4 storms.

The 21 tornadoes we’ve included on this list are all horrific in nature. Fast, strong, and deadly, they flattened businesses, destroyed homes, and cost residents billions of dollars.

1: Tri-State Tornado

The deadliest tornado in U.S. history was responsible for 695 deaths, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It occurred on March 18, 1925, and swept through three states, hence its name.

The storm hit Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, leaving chaos and destruction in its wake. The tornado wrecked over 15,000 homes, and in today’s dollars, the property damage cost more than $1.4 billion.

2: Great Natchez Tornado

In 1840, a tornado touched down in Natchez, Mississippi, killing 314 people and injuring another 109. It is the only tornado in U.S. history to kill more than it wounded.

There was no national weather service in the United States at the time, so residents of Natchez had no warning of the impending storm. With no two-way radios or other communication systems, people who saw the tornado form or pass couldn’t even let their neighbors know what was about to happen, making it especially deadly.

3: East St. Louis Tornado

When architects designed the Eads Bridge in 1874, they claimed it was tornado-proof. And, to their credit, the St. Louis structure stood strong through a variety of storms and floods that struck the city over the next two decades. However, in 1896, the Eads Bridge met its match.

The East St. Louis Tornado was a monster storm, which scientists believe would have earned an E4 rating by today’s measurements. It cut a three-mile path through east St. Louis, destroying the Eads Bridge, killing at least 255 people, and injuring over a thousand more.

4: Tupelo Tornado

Tupelo, Mississippi, is no stranger to storms, but the 1936 tornado is one to be remembered. It started out as an E3 tornado in Arkansas. The storm then split into two tornados, an E3 and an E4 in Tennessee. By the time it reached Mississippi, it had picked up serious speed and touched down as an E5 twister moving at over 50 mph through the Tupelo area.

The Tupelo Tornado killed over 250 people as it plowed through residential neighborhoods, destroying several schools and churches. Many of the public buildings it hit were later found to have flawed construction. As such, the Tupelo Tornado was responsible for a needed update to the architectural codes in the area.

5: Gainesville Tornado

On April 6, 1936, 17 tornadoes barreled through the Southern U.S. The worst and most deadly was the one that struck down in Gainesville, Georgia.

The F4 storm tore through the town’s center, hitting the courthouse, several neighborhoods, and the business district. It ultimately killed over 200 people and left over 1200 homeless.

6: Woodward Tornado

The deadliest tornado to ever hit Oklahoma, and the sixth deadliest tornado in the U.S., was the Woodward Tornado of 1947. The F5 storm was over 1.8 miles wide and moved at over 50 miles per hour, giving the citizens of Woodward no time to flee.

The funnel plowed through over 100 city blocks, killing 181 people and destroying over 1,000 homes and businesses. The damage was so bad that there was little communication between Woodward and the outside world for some time, and some of the victims were never identified.

7: Joplin Tornado

Many of the most horrific and deadly tornadoes took place before the National Weather Service existed, so residents of tornado-prone areas had no warning of impending storms. The Joplin tornado is unique in that it occurred in 2011 when Americans had a full arsenal of storm-tracking technology at their fingertips. Still, the Joplin tornado was responsible for over 150 deaths.

On May 22, 2011, an E5 multiple vortex storm struck Joplin, Missouri. It stretched almost a mile wide and had winds that peaked at over 200 miles per hour. Everything in its six-mile path was destroyed, including 8,000 homes and businesses.

8: Dixie Tornado Outbreak

From April 23 to April 24, 1908, 34 tornadoes struck on the Eastern side of the Mississippi River. What was later coined the Dixie Tornado Outbreak killed over 300 people and injured 1,000 more.

The hardest hit city within the outbreak was Purvis, Mississippi. The town lost 55 residents and reports indicated all buildings within town limits were essentially leveled.

9: New Richmond Tornado

Wisconsin isn’t in a tornado-heavy part of the U.S., but that doesn’t make it completely immune to these dangerous storms. On June 12, 1899, one such storm touched ground in the town of New Richmond, causing an exceptional amount of destruction.

Though the tornado itself wasn’t especially large, it was especially deadly. The circus happened to be in town that day, and the population of New Richmond was much larger than usual. The tornado ripped right through the town’s center, killing 117 people in its path.

10: Flint-Beecher Tornado

A 2000 National Weather Service poll showed that the people of Michigan felt the Flint-Beecher Tornado of 1953 was the worst national disaster in Michigan in the 20th century. It was responsible for 116 deaths and nearly 850 injuries.

The Flint-Beecher Tornado struck on June 8, 1953. Weather scientists managed to forecast the event, even without radar, satellite data, or computer processing available. However, the tornado was still exceptionally destructive, especially to the Beecher suburb of Flint, Michigan, which was all but leveled by the storm.

11: Waco Tornado

At approximately 4:10 pm on May 11, 1953, a tornado touched down in the town of Lorena, Texas, in Waco County. It leveled a house before carving a path toward the city of Waco itself. There, it killed 114 people and injured another 597.

Heavy rainfall during and before the tornado made it nearly impossible for city residents to see the funnel approaching. And, because it happened to hit at the end of the work day, the city was crowded with residents. The destruction from the Waco Tornado was so severe that survivors waited up to 14 hours for rescue workers to reach them after the storm.

12: Goliad Tornado

Less than 100 miles southeast of San Antonio, Texas, sits the town of Goliad, the site of one of the deadliest tornados the Lone Star state has ever known. The Goliad Tornado hit at approximately 3:00 pm on May 18, 1902.

It was an otherwise quiet Sunday afternoon when the storm struck down. The funnel leveled the Methodist church, which was still in the middle of a service, killing almost everyone inside. There was no hospital in the town, which meant many perished from their injuries as well.

13: Omaha’s Easter Tornado

Easter of 1913 was set to be beautiful in Omaha, Nebraska. Temperatures were mild, and the sun kept poking through the clouds. But then, there was a sudden drop in barometric pressure, the temperature fell, and the rain came hard and heavy.

That was the only warning the citizens of Omaha received before a half-mile-wide tornado touched down. It cut through the residential areas of the city, killing 103 people and devastating over 2,000 homes.

14: Mattoon-Charleston Tornado

Original reports claimed the Mattoon-Charleston tornado was a single twister that carved a 293-mile path from the Mississippi River near Louisiana to Illinois and Indiana. However, researchers now believe it was a system of four to eight different tornadoes. The fact that it was a combination of several storms rather than one massive tornado made the day no less deadly, though.

The strongest tornado hit the Mattoon and Charleston areas of Illinois during the evening of May 26, 1917. Categorized as an F4 storm, it killed over 100 people and injured more than 600.

15: Shinston Tornado

The Shinston Tornado was one of the most violent and deadly tornadoes West Virginia has ever seen. It struck down on June 23, 1944, and original reports claimed it took 153 victims (later reports say the count was lower at 100 lives lost).

Regardless of which records you use, over 1,600 families were affected by the Shinston Tornado. They either lost their lives, their homes, or their places of business.

16: Marshfield Tornado

April 18, 1880, was a bad day for Montana residents. Tornadoes ravaged the central and southwestern portion of the state, sometimes occurring within ten minutes of each other and taking parallel paths.

The most destructive essentially leveled the town of Marshfield. Ninety-nine people lost their lives, and nearly every building was either badly damaged or destroyed.

17: 1903 Gainesville Tornado

Gainesville, Georgia, is no stranger to tornadoes, but the one of 1903 left an especially deep mark. The F4 storm touched down for only two minutes, but the destruction it caused in that time was astonishing.

It killed 98 people and injured at least 180 more as it swept through a cotton mill and other businesses on the outskirts of town. Sadly, at the time, many cotton mills employed children as laborers, and they accounted for several of the fatalities.

18: Poplar Bluff Tornado

On May 9, 1927, a tornado hit Poplar Bluff, Missouri, killing 98 people and destroying much of the downtown. An additional 350 people walked away with horrific injuries.

The F4 storm only took three minutes to rip through the city, leveling thirty-one square blocks as it went. Many of the resulting casualties were at the Melbourne Hotel, a 20-room building that collapsed during the storm.

19: Oklahoma Territory Tornado

In 1905, a tornado hit the Oklahoma Territory, ravaging the town of Snyder, Oklahoma. The official death count was 97 people, but the National Weather Service admits the actual number of casualties will probably never be known.

According to on-site accounts, the twister hit between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on May 10th. Though onlookers disagree on the exact time of touchdown, watches found in the wreckage were consistently stopped at 8:45 p.m. And, while the storm may have felt like it lasted an eternity, it likely flattened the town in less than three minutes.

20: The Terrible Tornado

On June 3, 1860, a tornado hit Comanche, Iowa, and Albany, Illinois. It was later coined “The Terrible Tornado” by The New York Times.

The settlers of the small town of Comanche had no idea that the darkening skies of that hot June afternoon were a forewarning of more than cooling rain. After dropping golf-ball-sized hail over the town, a funnel struck down, ultimately destroying much of Comanche and Albany, which was just across the river. All in all, 92 people lost their lives to the Terrible Tornado.

21: Worcester Tornado

Massachusetts only sees three to five tornados per year, and none have been as deadly as the one that struck Worcester on June 9, 1953. The Worcester Tornado caused 90 casualties and a massive amount of damage.

Four thousand buildings were severely damaged or destroyed by the twister, and over 1,200 were injured. Onlookers reported baseball-sized hail, winds over 300 miles per hour, and debris thrown as far as Cape Cod.

Best and Worst States to Retire in 2025

Are you hoping to settle down in a cheaper state with a better quality of life during retirement? These are the states to consider and, equally important, those you’re better off avoiding.

Best and Worst States to Retire in 2025

Musical artists constantly tour, making connections with fans in cities all over the world. They can also have a deep emotional connection to their respective hometowns. No matter the reason, there’s a good chance your favorite artist has mentioned a city or two in their lyrics. 

From country musicians talking about Texas and Tennessee to rappers talking about New York and California, with every genre comes new ways of talking about cities nationwide. But what is the most talked about city in music?  

The data presented by Casino.org reveals the top 27 cities most referenced in song lyrics. Does your city rank among the highest on the list? 

Looking Through the Lyrics

The list compiled by Casino.org takes a look at the world’s largest lyrics database, Genius, to track which cities were mentioned the most in song lyrics. The mentions were tracked alongside YouGov’s list of most popular cities to come up with this top 27. 

For those looking for the Texas city known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” it should be noted that Casino.org excluded cities that are homonyms, like Austin, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, to create more accurate results. Unlike Austin, the Arizona capital isn’t well known for music. In fact, Pheonix was once listed as one of the worst music cities in the U.S.

Without further ado, these are the most popular cities according to song mentions.

1: Memphis, Tennessee

• Number of songs that mention Memphis: 1,172
• Artist that references Memphis the most: Juicy J
• Number of songs that mention Memphis from Juicy J: 54

2: Nashville, Tennessee

• Number of songs that mention Nashville: 1,154
• Artist that references Nashville the most: Upchurch
• Number of songs that mention Nashville from Upchurch: 36

3: San Francisco, California

• Number of songs that mention San Francisco: 1,120
• Artist that references San Francisco the most: Watsky
• Number of songs that mention San Francisco from Watsky: 11

4: Miami, Florida

• Number of songs that mention Miami: 1,100
• Artist that references Miami the most: Drake
• Number of songs that mention Miami from Drake: 28

5: Las Vegas, Nevada

• Number of songs that mention Las Vegas: 1,085
• Artist that references Las Vegas the most: Rick Ross
• Number of songs that mention Las Vegas from Rick Ross: 16

6: Boston, Massachusetts

• Number of songs that mention Boston: 1,081
• Artist that references Boston the most: Future
• Number of songs that mention Boston from Future: 8

7: New York City, New York

• Number of songs that mention New York City: 1,073
• Artist that references New York City the most: 50 Cent
• Number of songs that mention New York City from 50 Cent: 16

8: Atlanta, Georgia

• Number of songs that mention Atlanta: 1,071
• Artist that references Atlanta the most: Gucci Mane
• Number of songs that mention Atlanta from Gucci Mane: 58

9: Los Angeles, California

• Number of songs that mention Los Angeles: 1,070
• Artist that references Los Angeles the most: The Game
• Number of songs that mention Los Angeles from The Game: 24

10: Seattle, Washington

• Number of songs that mention Seattle: 1,068
• Artist that references Seattle the most: Jay Park
• Number of songs that mention Seattle from Jay Park: 18

11: New Orleans, Louisiana

• Number of songs that mention New Orleans: 1,065
• Artist that references New Orleans the most: Lil Wayne
• Number of songs that mention New Orleans from Lil Wayne: 119

12: Tampa, Florida

• Number of songs that mention Tampa: 1,062
• Artist that references Tampa the most: Gucci Mane
• Number of songs that mention Tampa from Gucci Mane: 7

13: Houston, Texas

• Number of songs that mention Houston: 1,060
• Artist that references Houston the most: Drake
• Number of songs that mention Houston from Drake: 20

14: Chicago, Illinois

• Number of songs that mention Chicago: 1,059
• Artist that references Chicago the most: Juice WRLD
• Number of songs that mention Chicago from Juice WRLD: 34

15: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Number of songs that mention Philadelphia: 1,054
• Artist that references Philadelphia the most: Meek Mill
• Number of songs that mention Philadelphia from Meek Mill: 89

16: Denver, Colorado

• Number of songs that mention Denver: 1,040
• Artist that references Denver the most: Kevin Gates
• Number of songs that mention Denver from Kevin Gates: 8

17: Baltimore, Maryland

• Number of songs that mention Baltimore: 1,038
• Artist that references Baltimore the most: Kevin Gates
• Number of songs that mention Baltimore from Kevin Gates: 9

18: Long Beach, California

• Number of songs that mention Long Beach: 1,029
• Artist that references Long Beach the most: Dr. Dre
• Number of songs that mention Long Beach from Dr. Dre: 21

19: Dallas, Texas

• Number of songs that mention Dallas: 1,016
• Artist that references Dallas the most: Drake
• Number of songs that mention Dallas from Drake: 10

20: San Diego, California

• Number of songs that mention San Diego: 1,005
• Artist that references San Diego the most: The Game
• Number of songs that mention San Diego from The Game: 9

21: Detroit, Michigan

• Number of songs that mention Detroit: 984
• Artist that references Detroit the most: Big Sean
• Number of songs that mention Detroit from Big Sean: 38

22: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Number of songs that mention Milwaukee: 882
• Artist that references Milwaukee the most: Migos
• Number of songs that mention Milwaukee from Migos: 4

23: San Antonio, Texas

• Number of songs that mention San Antonio: 862
• Artist that references San Antonio the most: Drake
• Number of songs that mention San Antonio from Drake: 4

24: Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Number of songs that mention Albuquerque: 590
• Artist that references Albuquerque the most: Glen Campbell
• Number of songs that mention Albuquerque from Glen Campbell: 6

25: Jacksonville, Florida

• Number of songs that mention Jacksonville: 483
• Artist that references Jacksonville the most: Kanye West
• Number of songs that mention Jacksonville from Kanye West: 4

26: Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Number of songs that mention Colorado Springs: 106
• Artist that references Colorado Springs the most: Rittz
• Number of songs that mention Colorado Springs from Rittz: 3

27: Virginia Beach, Virginia

• Number of songs that mention Virginia Beach: 94
• Artist that references Virginia Beach the most: BABYXSOSA
• Number of songs that mention Virginia Beach from BABYXSOSA: 2

Top City’s Musical Ties

The number one city on this list, Memphis, is where the blues began. W.C. Hardy wrote the first-ever blues song in Memphis, and Congress officially declared Beale Street in Memphis the Home of the Blues in 1977. 

Memphis is also the home of Graceland. Elvis Presley moved to Memphis with his parents as a child. He called the city home, eventually living at the Graceland estate in Memphis. He passed away and was buried at Graceland, which is now an attraction where tourists can pay their respects and learn more about Presley’s life and music career. 

Some Unexpected Rankings 

New York City’s seventh-place ranking might surprise some. After all, it’s the 11th biggest city in the world and the birthplace of several artists, including Luther Vandross, Jay-Z, and Lady Gaga. In terms of the top award that recognizes musical artists, more people from New York have won major Grammy awards than any other state. 

According to a 2023 study, New York City isn’t devoid of a high music ranking, though; it ranked number one for the best U.S. city with live music. Reportedly, The Big Apple has the most bars and music venues that feature live musical acts, making it an important cross-section for all genres of music. 

Rappers Dominate With References

Hip-hop musicians are heavily featured when it comes to the artists who’ve referenced the top 27 cities the most in their songs. Drake is featured four times, mentioning Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Miami more than other artists. Drake, born Aubrey Graham, may be known for his numerous U.S. city callouts, but he was actually born in Toronto, Canada.

Lil Wayne referenced his hometown New Orleans more than other artists referenced any other city on the list. Lil Wayne is so proud of “The Big Easy” that he’s eager to be chosen as the Super Bowl Halftime performer when New Orleans hosts the event in 2025.

9 Hilarious Virginia Town Names That’ll Make You LOL

PSA: Read this where you won’t embarrass yourself laughing. Whether you’re a Virginia local or just passing through, these town names are sure to make you chuckle when you see them.

9 Hilarious Virginia Town Names That’ll Make You LOL

12 Quirky Virginia Towns You Need to Visit

Ready to add new destinations to your bucket list? From charming main streets to offbeat attractions, these Virginia towns are a great fit for travelers seeking something out of the ordinary.

12 Quirky Virginia Towns You Need to Visit