There is one unique ZIP code in Foster, Virginia and it is 23056. Area code: 804.
1
ZIP codes
6.87
sq mi land
5.51
sq mi water
804
area code
Foster, VA ZIP code map
About Foster, VA
Foster is a small, quiet community located in Mathews County, Virginia, situated on the scenic Middle Peninsula of the state. Served by a single ZIP code, 23056, Foster offers residents a peaceful, rural lifestyle surrounded by the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The community reflects the unhurried charm and close-knit character that defines much of coastal rural Virginia.
Location & geography
Foster lies within Mathews County on Virginia's Middle Peninsula, a region nestled between the Rappahannock and York rivers as they flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Nearby communities include Mathews Court House, the county seat, as well as Gloucester, Saluda, and West Point, all within a roughly 20 to 40-mile radius. The community's geography is defined by a notable mix of land and water, with 6.87 square miles of land area complemented by 5.51 square miles of water area, reflecting the creek-laced, tidal landscape typical of this part of Virginia's coastal plain.
Community & economy
Foster embodies the relaxed, water-oriented way of life that characterizes much of Mathews County, where fishing, crabbing, and boating are deeply woven into everyday culture. The local economy has traditionally been tied to the seafood industry, small-scale agriculture, and marine trades, though many residents also commute to larger employment centers in the broader Hampton Roads and Richmond regions. Daily life in Foster revolves around a strong sense of community, with neighbors relying on one another and local traditions remaining an important part of social fabric.
Transportation
Foster is accessible via Virginia's rural highway network, with Route 14 serving as one of the primary corridors connecting Mathews County communities to the broader region. The nearest major airport is Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, located roughly 40 to 50 miles to the south, while Richmond International Airport provides another option approximately 70 miles to the northwest. Public transit options in this rural area are limited, and personal vehicles are the primary means of transportation for most residents.
History
Mathews County, and the communities within it including Foster, have a history rooted in the colonial-era settlement of Virginia's tidal coastline, with waterways serving as the original highways of commerce and communication. The seafood industry — particularly crabbing and oystering in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries — shaped the economic and cultural identity of the region for generations. Like much of the Middle Peninsula, Foster and its surroundings remained relatively isolated for many decades due to the absence of bridges, which helped preserve the area's traditional character well into the modern era.
Did you know?
One little-known aspect of Foster and greater Mathews County is that the county has more miles of shoreline per square mile of land than almost any other locality in Virginia, making water an inescapable part of life for its residents. This extraordinary water-to-land ratio is reflected even in Foster's own profile, where 5.51 square miles of water area accompanies just 6.87 square miles of land.
