Roanoke city, VA

County

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    2024 Population
    98,355
    US Senator
    Mark Warner
    Democratic Party
    US Senator
    Tim Kaine
    Democratic Party
    2024 Median Age
    38.3
    0.789% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    18.3%
    6.83% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $55,378
    5.14% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $190,500
    5.54% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    45,699
    1.05% 1-year decline

    About

    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.

    94.7% of the residents in Roanoke city, VA are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in Roanoke City, VA are Virginia Western Community College (1,298 degrees awarded in 2024), Virginia Western Community College (1,298 degrees), and Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (42 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in Roanoke city, VA was $190,500, and the homeownership rate was 52.4%.

    Most people in Roanoke city, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19 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
    United StatesVirginiaRoanoke, VA

    Population & Diversity

    Roanoke city, VA is home to a population of 98.4k people, from which 94.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 7.88% of Roanoke city, VA residents were born outside of the country (7.75k people).

    In 2024, there were 2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (54.3k people) in Roanoke city, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 27.2k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.38k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    94.7%
    2024 Citizenship
    95.2%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 94.7% of Roanoke city, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Roanoke city, VA was 95.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke city, VA
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      54.3k ± 338
    2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
      27.2k ± 653
    3. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      4.38k ± 774
    8.97%
    Hispanic Population
    8.82k people

    In 2024, there were 2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (54.3k people) in Roanoke city, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 27.2k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.38k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    8.97% of the people in Roanoke city, VA are hispanic (8.82k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Roanoke city, VA as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Virginia.
    Most Common Origin
    1. El Salvador
      108,778 ± 8,047 people
    2. India
      98,440 ± 7,659 people
    3. Mexico
      58,677 ± 5,927 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 108,778 Virginia residents, followed by India with 98,440 and Mexico with 58,677.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    7.88%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    7.75k people
    7.41%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    7.31k people

    As of 2024, 7.88% of Roanoke city, VA residents (7.75k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Roanoke city, VA was 7.41%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      1,832 ± 318
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      1,122 ± 274
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      1,071 ± 314

    Roanoke city, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.63 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Roanoke city, VA.

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    Health

    90.2% of the population of Roanoke city, VA has health coverage, with 39.8% on employee plans, 25.1% on Medicaid, 13.3% on Medicare, 10.1% on non-group plans, and 1.74% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Roanoke County, VA see 907 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (907 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1305 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 224 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.9% were men and 53.1% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    907 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Roanoke County, VA

    Primary care physicians in Roanoke County, VA see an average of 907 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (907 patients).

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

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.1% under 18 years, 21.6% between 18 and 34 years, 37.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.9% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.9% were men and 53.1% were women.

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

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    Uninsured People

    9.81%
    Uninsured
    39.8%
    Employer Coverage
    25.1%
    Medicaid
    13.3%
    Medicare
    10.1%
    Non-Group
    1.74%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Roanoke city, VA grew by 2.55% from 9.57% to 9.81%.

    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.

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 6.66 in Roanoke city, VA.

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

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, 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 36.4% in Roanoke city, VA.

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

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 8.52% in Roanoke city, VA.

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

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    Economy

    The economy of Roanoke city, VA employs 45.7k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Roanoke city, VA were Health Care & Social Assistance (9,189 people), Retail Trade (5,808 people), and Manufacturing (4,769 people), and the highest paying industries were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($75,246), Utilities ($68,250), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($53,820).

    Employment

    Occupations

    45.7k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,953
    −1.05%
    1 Year decline
    ± 6%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Roanoke city, VA declined at a rate of −1.05%, from 46.2k employees to 45.7k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Roanoke city, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,961 people), Sales & Related Occupations (4,771 people), and Management Occupations (3,678 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Roanoke city, VA.

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    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.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    45.7k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,953
    −1.05%
    1 Year decline
    ± 6%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Roanoke city, VA declined at a rate of −1.05%, from 46.2k employees to 45.7k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Roanoke city, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,189 people), Retail Trade (5,808 people), and Manufacturing (4,769 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.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $44,360
    Median earning men ± $2,723
    $38,735
    Median earning women ± $2,433

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($61,204), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($56,607), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($53,065).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($50,438), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($48,709), and Manufacturing ($47,013).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.
    Y-Axis
    2.48%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 4.1M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

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

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 234
      Retail Trade
    2. 208
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    3. 177
      Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $1.02M
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    2. $377k
      Management of Companies and Enterprises
    3. $285k
      Retail Trade

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

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

    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.

    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Virginia

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.
    Mark Warner
    Senator from Virginia2
    Assumed office on January 3, 2009
    Tim Kaine
    Senator from Virginia1
    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.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Roanoke city, VA awarded 1,340 degrees. The student population of Roanoke city, VA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 2,773 male students and 3,728 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Roanoke city, VA are White (956 and 71.8%), Black or African American (131 and 9.83%), Hispanic or Latino (77 and 5.78%), and Asian (60 and 4.5%).

    The largest universities in Roanoke city, VA by number of degrees awarded are Virginia Western Community College (1,298 and 96.9%), Virginia Western Community College (1,298 and 96.9%), and Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (42 and 3.13%).

    The most popular majors in Roanoke City, VA are Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities (165 and 12.3%), Registered Nursing (83 and 6.19%), and General Studies (70 and 5.22%).

    The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $7,922 for in-state students and $19,557 for out-of-state students.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

    University
    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 2024 was 6,501 (42.7% men and 57.3% 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.

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    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    Universities

    In 2024 there were 6,501 students enrolled in Roanoke city, VA, 42.7% men and 57.3% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,377 records, of which 55.9% were women and 44.1% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. General Studies
      70 degrees awarded
    2. General Social Sciences
      64 degrees awarded
    3. General Business Administration & Management
      62 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Roanoke City, VA was General Studies with 70 degrees awarded.

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

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. Virginia Western Community College
      1,298 degrees awarded
    2. Virginia Western Community College
      1,298 degrees awarded
    3. Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke
      42 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Virginia Western Community College with 1,298 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    University

    In 2024, 502 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Roanoke city, VA, which is 0.599 times less than the 838 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 956 degrees mean that there were 7.3 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 131 degrees awarded.

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    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.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Universities

    Public, 2-year ($4,962) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($438) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    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.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Roanoke city, VA was $190,500 in 2024, which is 0.573 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $180,500 to $190,500, a 5.54% increase. The homeownership rate in Roanoke city, VA is 52.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Roanoke city, VA have an average commute time of 19 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.

    In 2025, 17.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.861%.

    Housing

    Property

    $190,500
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$6,503
    $22,852
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$1,244

    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 $2k - $3k range.

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

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    Rent vs Own

    52.4%
    Homeownership
    2024
    63.7%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 52.4% of the housing units in Roanoke city, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 51.7%.

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

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $55,378
    Median Household Income
    ± $2,433
    43.6k
    Number of Households
    ± 1,803

    In 2024, the median household income of the 43.6k households in Roanoke city, VA grew to $55,378 from the previous year's value of $52,671.

    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 $75k - $100k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Roanoke city, VA is from Virginia.
    0.47
    2024 Wage GINI in Virginia
    0.472
    2023 Wage GINI in Virginia

    In 2024, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.376% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (74.9%)
    2. Worked At Home (11.8%)
    3. Carpooled (7.01%)

    In 2024, 74.9% of workers in Roanoke city, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (11.8%) and those who carpooled to work (7.01%).

    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.

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    Commute Time

    19 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Roanoke city, VA have a shorter commute time (19 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.782% 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.

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    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.

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 17.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.861%.

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

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    Poverty & Diversity

    18.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Roanoke city, VA (17.7k out of 96.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. 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 White, followed by Black 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.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 26.3% of the children was living in poverty in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4%.

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

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 382 in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2022, 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.

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