Roanoke city, VA

County

Add Comparison

2020 Population

99,122

0.108% 1-year decline

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

38.2

0.779% 1-year decrease

2020 Poverty Rate

20.1%

3.21% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$45,664

3.24% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$134,900

0.148% 1-year decline

2020 Employed Population

47,454

0.317% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Roanoke city, VA had a population of 99.1k people with a median age of 38.2 and a median household income of $45,664. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Roanoke city, VA declined from 99,229 to 99,122, a −0.108% decrease and its median household income grew from $44,230 to $45,664, a 3.24% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke city, VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (58.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (28.6%), White (Hispanic) (3.42%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.29%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.24%).

None of the households in Roanoke city, VA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.4% of the residents in Roanoke city, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Roanoke city, VA are Virginia Western Community College (233949) (1,016 degrees awarded in 2020) and Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (231280) (34 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Roanoke city, VA was $134,900, and the homeownership rate was 52.3%.

Most people in Roanoke city, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Roanoke city, VA was 2 cars per household.

Roanoke city, VA borders Roanoke County, VA and Salem city, VA.

Photo by Donnie Nunley

Population & Diversity

Roanoke city, VA is home to a population of 99.1k people, from which 95.4% are citizens. As of 2020, 6.64% of Roanoke city, VA residents were born outside of the country (6.59k people).

In 2020, there were 2.03 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (57.5k people) in Roanoke city, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.39k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.4%

2020 Citizenship

95.4%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 95.4% of Roanoke city, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Roanoke city, VA was 95.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Roanoke city, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke city, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
57.5k ± 126
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
28.3k ± 700
White (Hispanic)
3.39k ± 569

6.4%

Hispanic Population

6.35k people

6.4% of the people in Roanoke city, VA are hispanic (6.35k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Roanoke city, VA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
109,267 ± 8,063 people
India
94,596 ± 7,509 people
Mexico
56,409 ± 5,812 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 109,267 Virginia residents, followed by India with 94,596 and Mexico with 56,409.

Foreign-Born Population

6.64%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

6.59k people

6.72%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

6.66k people

As of 2020, 6.64% of Roanoke city, VA residents (6.59k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Roanoke city, VA was 6.72%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Roanoke city, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,228 ± 340
Gulf War (2001-)
1,140 ± 277
Gulf War (1990s)
828 ± 271

Roanoke city, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.95 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Roanoke city, VA employs 47.5k people. The largest industries in Roanoke city, VA are Health Care & Social Assistance (8,563 people), Retail Trade (5,599 people), and Manufacturing (5,082 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($59,188), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($56,164), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($52,981).

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $60,365. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.478, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

47.5k

2020 Value

± 1,908

−0.317%

1 Year decline

± 5.52%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Roanoke city, VA declined at a rate of −0.317%, from 47.6k employees to 47.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Roanoke city, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,093 people), Sales & Related Occupations (5,058 people), and Management Occupations (3,721 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Roanoke city, VA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

47.5k

2020 Value

± 1,908

−0.317%

1 Year decline

± 5.52%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Roanoke city, VA declined at a rate of −0.317%, from 47.6k employees to 47.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Roanoke city, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (8,563 people), Retail Trade (5,599 people), and Manufacturing (5,082 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Roanoke city, VA, though some of these residents may live in Roanoke city, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$36,082

Median earning men ± $2,015

$30,659

Median earning women ± $1,347

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,417), Public Administration ($45,051), and Other Services Except Public Administration ($44,409).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Public Administration ($48,020), Manufacturing ($40,474), and Information ($37,589).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,027
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
899
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
657
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$919k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
$896k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$744k
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Virginia to other states, or from other states to Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Mixed freight
$37.3B
Electronics
$28.7B
Machinery
$25.6B

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $37.3B, followed by Electronics ($28.7B) and Machinery ($25.6B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Virginia products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Virginia.

$325B

2020 Value in Virginia

$612B

Projected 2050 Value in Virginia

88.1% growth

In 2020, total outbound Virginia trade was $325B. This is expected to increase 88.1% to $612B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Virginia to other states, or from other states to Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $25B, followed by Maryland with $18.9B and Pennsylvania and $13.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Senators Elections

US Senators from Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives Elections

US Representatives from Virginia

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Roanoke city, VA awarded 1,050 degrees. The student population of Roanoke city, VA in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 2,326 male students and 3,544 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Roanoke city, VA are White (842 and 80.5%), followed by Black or African American (83 and 7.93%), Two or More Races (39 and 3.73%), and Hispanic or Latino (38 and 3.63%).

The largest universities in Roanoke city, VA by number of degrees awarded are Virginia Western Community College (233949) (1,016 and 96.8%) and Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (231280) (34 and 3.24%).

The most popular majors in Roanoke city, VA are Biological & Physical Sciences (103 and 9.81%), General Studies (100 and 9.52%), and General Social Sciences (69 and 6.57%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

Measure

In 2019 in Roanoke city, VA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 27.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 32.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 5,870 (39.6% men and 60.4% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2020 there were 5,870 students enrolled in Roanoke city, VA, 39.6% men and 60.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,402 records, of which 59.1% were women and 40.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Biological & Physical Sciences
103 degree-majors awarded
General Studies
100 degree-majors awarded
General Social Sciences
69 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Roanoke city, VA was Biological & Physical Sciences with 103 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Roanoke city, VA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Virginia Western Community College (233949)
1,016 degrees awarded
Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (231280)
34 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Virginia Western Community College (233949) with 1,016 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2020, 408 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Roanoke city, VA, which is 0.636 times less than the 642 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 842 degrees mean that there were 10.1 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 83 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($4,680) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Public, 2-year ($675) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Public, 2-year ($1,500) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Measure

In 2020, 0.823% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.842% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were High School or Equivalent (1.66M), Some college (1.42M), and Bachelors Degree (1.41M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Roanoke city, VA was $134,900 in 2020, which is 0.587 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $135,100 to $134,900, a 0.148% decrease. The homeownership rate in Roanoke city, VA is 52.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Roanoke city, VA have an average commute time of 22.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Roanoke city, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Roanoke city, VA is $45,664. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Roanoke city, VA was Census Tract 29 with a value of $83,578, followed by Census Tract 21 and Census Tract 31, with respective values of $65,625 and $63,678.

In 2021, 18.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator grew 0.413%.

Housing

Property

$134,900

Median Property Value 2020

±$4,080

$21,792

Median Property Taxes

±$1,055

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Roanoke city, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Roanoke city, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

52.3%

Homeownership

2020

63.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 52.3% of the housing units in Roanoke city, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 51.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Roanoke city, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 29
Census Tract 21
Census Tract 31

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Roanoke city, VA was Census Tract 29 with a value of $83,578, followed by Census Tract 21 and Census Tract 31, with respective values of $65,625 and $63,678.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Roanoke city, VA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$45,664

Median Household Income

± $1,641

41.7k

Number of Households

± 1,615

In 2020, the median household income of the 41.7k households in Roanoke city, VA grew to $45,664 from the previous year's value of $44,230.

The following chart displays the households in Roanoke city, VA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Roanoke city, VA is from Virginia.

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.479

2019 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2020, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.478 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.181% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (79%)
Carpooled (7.15%)
Worked At Home (5.8%)

In 2020, 79% of workers in Roanoke city, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.15%) and those who worked at home (5.8%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

22.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Roanoke city, VA have a shorter commute time (22.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 0.972% of the workforce in Roanoke city, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Roanoke city, VA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Roanoke city, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Roanoke city, VA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2021, 18.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator grew 0.413%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

20.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Roanoke city, VA (19.6k out of 97.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females < 5 and then Males 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Roanoke city, VA is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2021, 30.5% of the children was living in poverty in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator grew 0.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2021, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 382 in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 280 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health

88.9% of the population of Roanoke city, VA has health coverage, with 43.9% on employee plans, 20.6% on Medicaid, 14% on Medicare, 8.25% on non-group plans, and 2.13% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Virginia was $7,556 in 2014. This is a 3.42% increase from the previous year ($7,306).

Primary care physicians in Roanoke city, VA see 1063 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.15% decrease from the previous year (1109 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1180 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 325 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 44.7% were men and 55.3% were women.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Virginia. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Virginia, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

View Full Dashboard

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,063 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Roanoke city, VA

Primary care physicians in Roanoke city, VA see an average of 1,063 patients per year. This represents a 4.15% decrease from the previous year (1,109 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Roanoke city, VA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Virginia across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

View Full Dashboard

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.4% under 18 years, 22% between 18 and 34 years, 38.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 44.7% were men and 55.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.1%

Uninsured

43.9%

Employer Coverage

20.6%

Medicaid

14%

Medicare

8.25%

Non-Group

2.13%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Roanoke city, VA grew by 2.86% from 10.8% to 11.1%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Roanoke city, VA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2021, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 70.6 in Roanoke city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Roanoke city, VA.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2021, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35.9% in Roanoke city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Roanoke city, VA.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function