Within the city, and in Henrico County, East End is roughly defined as including the area of Richmond north of the James River and east/northeast of the former Virginia Central Railroad - Chesapeake and Ohio Railway line (now owned by CSX Transportation and operated by the Buckingham Branch Railroad) which originated at Main Street Station, and south and west of I-295.

The terminology "East End" also broadly includes much of eastern Henrico County as a portion the Richmond Metropolitan area.

[1] Communities outside the city limits in this area include the census-designated places of Highland Springs, Montrose, Sandston, and Varina.

A portion of Hanover County, primarily in the Mechanicsville area also meets the above geographic description, and may be considered by some to be part of the East End of Metropolitan Richmond, though is equally considered outside of the quadrant system, due to its separation from the city by the Chickahominy River and swamp.

The East End is also home to the famous St. John's Church, where Patrick Henry delivered his "Give Me Liberty" speech.