Roanoke, VA

Census Place

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2023 Population

98,677

0.54% 1-year decline

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2023 Median Age

0.262% 1-year decrease

2023 Poverty Rate

19.7%

2.92% 1-year increase

2023 Median Household Income

$52,671

2.23% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$180,500

11.4% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

46,183

1.73% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, Roanoke, VA had a population of 98.7k people with a median age of 38 and a median household income of $52,671. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Roanoke, VA declined from 99,213 to 98,677, a −0.54% decrease and its median household income grew from $51,523 to $52,671, a 2.23% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke, VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (55.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (28.5%), Two+ (Hispanic) (4.12%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.65%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.13%).

None of the households in Roanoke, 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.

95.2% of the residents in Roanoke, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Roanoke, VA are Virginia Western Community College (233949) (1,184 degrees awarded in 2022) and Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (231280) (47 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Roanoke, VA was $180,500, and the homeownership rate was 51.7%.

Most people in Roanoke, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Roanoke, VA was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Donnie Nunley

United States Virginia Roanoke city, VA Roanoke, VA Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (Outside Roanoke & Salem Cities) PUMA, VA Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (Roanoke, Salem Cities & Vinton Town) PUMA, VA

Population & Diversity

Roanoke, VA is home to a population of 98.7k people, from which 95.2% are citizens. As of 2023, 7.41% of Roanoke, VA residents were born outside of the country (7.31k people).

In 2023, there were 1.95 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (54.8k people) in Roanoke, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.06k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.2%

2023 Citizenship

95.5%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 95.2% of Roanoke, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Roanoke, VA was 95.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
54.8k ± 380
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
28.1k ± 565
Two+ (Hispanic)
4.06k ± 677

8.57%

Hispanic Population

8.46k people

8.57% of the people in Roanoke, VA are hispanic (8.46k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
107,605 ± 8,003 people
India
98,735 ± 7,670 people
Mexico
59,855 ± 5,986 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 107,605 Virginia residents, followed by India with 98,735 and Mexico with 59,855.

Foreign-Born Population

7.41%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

7.31k people

6.91%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

6.85k people

As of 2023, 7.41% of Roanoke, VA residents (7.31k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Roanoke, VA was 6.91%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,865 ± 263
Gulf War (2001-)
1,223 ± 286
Gulf War (1990s)
1,118 ± 270

Roanoke, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.52 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Roanoke, VA employs 46.2k people. The largest industries in Roanoke, VA are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,191 people), Retail Trade (5,570 people), and Manufacturing (4,732 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($71,422), Utilities ($68,402), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($67,698).

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $69,674. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.475, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

46.2k

2023 Value

± 1,902

−1.73%

1 Year decline

± 5.85%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Roanoke, VA declined at a rate of −1.73%, from 47k employees to 46.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Roanoke, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,349 people), Sales & Related Occupations (4,432 people), and Management Occupations (3,709 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Roanoke, VA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

46.2k

2023 Value

± 1,902

−1.73%

1 Year decline

± 5.85%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Roanoke, VA declined at a rate of −1.73%, from 47k employees to 46.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Roanoke, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,191 people), Retail Trade (5,570 people), and Manufacturing (4,732 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Roanoke, VA, though some of these residents may live in Roanoke, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$42,018

Median earning men ± $1,927

$37,801

Median earning women ± $1,873

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($59,882), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($58,789), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($50,293).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Public Administration ($48,986), Manufacturing ($46,169), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($45,954).

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.

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.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Roanoke, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (51.8%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (46.1%)
Republican Party
Other (0.905%)
Other Party

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%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator 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 Representative 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 2022, universities in Roanoke, VA awarded 1,231 degrees. The student population of Roanoke, VA in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 2,516 male students and 3,450 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Roanoke, VA are White (956 and 77.8%), followed by Black or African American (111 and 9.03%), Hispanic or Latino (57 and 4.64%), and Asian (48 and 3.91%).

The largest universities in Roanoke, VA by number of degrees awarded are Virginia Western Community College (233949) (1,184 and 96.2%) and Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (231280) (47 and 3.82%).

The most popular majors in Roanoke, VA are Biological & Physical Sciences (105 and 8.53%), General Studies (85 and 6.9%), and General Business Administration & Management (76 and 6.17%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

Measure

In 2019 in Roanoke, 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 2022 was 5,966 (42.2% men and 57.8% 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 2022 there were 5,966 students enrolled in Roanoke, VA, 42.2% men and 57.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,148 records, of which 55.8% were women and 44.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Biological & Physical Sciences
105 degrees awarded
General Studies
85 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
76 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Roanoke, VA was Biological & Physical Sciences with 105 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Virginia Western Community College (233949)
1,184 degrees awarded
Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (231280)
47 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Virginia Western Community College (233949) with 1,184 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2022, 488 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Roanoke, VA, which is 0.657 times less than the 743 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 956 degrees mean that there were 8.61 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 111 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 2022.

Public, 2-year ($423) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

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 2022, 0.884% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.904% 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 2022 were High School or Equivalent (1.71M), Bachelors Degree (1.47M), and Some college (1.4M).

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, VA was $180,500 in 2023, which is 0.595 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $162,000 to $180,500, a 11.4% increase. The homeownership rate in Roanoke, VA is 51.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Roanoke, VA have an average commute time of 19.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Roanoke, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Roanoke, VA is $52,671. In 2023, the place with the highest median household income in Roanoke, VA was Census Tract 29 with a value of $113,979, followed by Census Tract 21 and Census Tract 31, with respective values of $80,268 and $78,475.

Housing

Property

$180,500

Median Property Value 2023

±$5,580

$22,452

Median Property Taxes

±$1,217

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, 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, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

51.7%

Homeownership

2023

64.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 51.7% of the housing units in Roanoke, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 52.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Roanoke, 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 2023, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Roanoke, VA was Census Tract 29 with a value of $113,979, followed by Census Tract 21 and Census Tract 31, with respective values of $80,268 and $78,475.

The following map shows all of the places in Roanoke, 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.

$52,671

Median Household Income

± $2,367

43.4k

Number of Households

± 1,777

In 2023, the median household income of the 43.4k households in Roanoke, VA grew to $52,671 from the previous year's value of $51,523.

The following chart displays the households in Roanoke, 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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.475

2022 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2022, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.475 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.164% decline from 2021 to 2022, 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 2023

Drove Alone (76.2%)
Worked At Home (10.7%)
Carpooled (7.29%)

In 2023, 76.2% of workers in Roanoke, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (10.7%) and those who carpooled to work (7.29%).

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

19.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Roanoke, VA have a shorter commute time (19.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 0.823% of the workforce in Roanoke, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Roanoke, 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, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Roanoke, VA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

19.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Roanoke, VA (19.1k out of 96.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. 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, 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.

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.

Health

90.4% of the population of Roanoke, VA has health coverage, with 40.4% on employee plans, 24.7% on Medicaid, 13.7% on Medicare, 9.85% on non-group plans, and 1.84% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Roanoke city, VA see 786 patients per year on average, which represents a 14.4% decrease from the previous year (918 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1221 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 265 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Roanoke city, VA.

786 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Roanoke city, VA

Primary care physicians in Roanoke city, VA see an average of 786 patients per year. This represents a 14.4% decrease from the previous year (918 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.

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24% under 18 years, 21.7% between 18 and 34 years, 37.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 44.8% were men and 55.2% were women.

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

Uninsured People

9.57%

Uninsured

40.4%

Employer Coverage

24.7%

Medicaid

13.7%

Medicare

9.85%

Non-Group

1.84%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Roanoke, VA declined by 1.51% from 9.71% to 9.57%.

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

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