Roanoke, VA

About

N/A 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.

97% of the residents in Roanoke, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in N/A are Virginia Western Community College (1,298 degrees awarded in 2024), Roanoke College (470 degrees), and American National University (254 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Roanoke, VA was $251,400, and the homeownership rate was 68.6%.

Most people in Roanoke, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Roanoke, VA was 2 cars per household.

Roanoke, VA borders Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA, Danville, VA, Lynchburg, VA, and Martinsville, VA.

Photo by Donnie Nunley

United States Virginia

Population & Diversity

Roanoke, VA is home to a population of 315k people, from which 97% are citizens. As of 2024, 5.5% of Roanoke, VA residents were born outside of the country (17.3k people).

In 2024, there were 5.89 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (238k people) in Roanoke, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 40.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 8.3k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97%

2024 Citizenship

97.1%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97% of Roanoke, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Roanoke, VA was 97.1%, 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)
238k ± 675
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
40.3k ± 958
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
8.3k ± 943

5.4%

Hispanic Population

17k people

In 2024, there were 5.89 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (238k people) in Roanoke, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 40.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 8.3k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

5.4% of the people in Roanoke, VA are hispanic (17k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
108,778 ± 8,047 people
India
98,440 ± 7,659 people
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.

Foreign-Born Population

5.5%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

17.3k people

5.23%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

16.5k people

As of 2024, 5.5% of Roanoke, VA residents (17.3k 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, VA was 5.23%, 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
6,234 ± 460
Gulf War (2001-)
4,393 ± 502
Gulf War (1990s)
3,340 ± 536

Roanoke, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.42 times greater than any other conflict.

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

Health

93.6% of the population of Roanoke, VA has health coverage, with 46% on employee plans, 17% on Medicaid, 16.8% on Medicare, 11.5% on non-group plans, and 2.21% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Virginia see 1,341 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,341 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1329 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 379 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.1% were men and 51.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,341 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Virginia

Primary care physicians in Virginia see an average of 1,341 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,341 patients).

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

Uninsured People

6.4%

Uninsured

46%

Employer Coverage

17%

Medicaid

16.8%

Medicare

11.5%

Non-Group

2.21%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Roanoke, VA declined by 1.55% from 6.5% to 6.4%.

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.

Economy

The economy of Roanoke, VA employs 147k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Roanoke, VA were N/A, and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($120,698), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($82,168), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($76,618).

Employment

Occupations

147k

2024 Value

± 3,233

−0.288%

1 Year decline

± 3.08%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Roanoke, VA declined at a rate of −0.288%, from 148k employees to 147k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Roanoke, VA, are N/A. 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 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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

147k

2024 Value

± 3,233

−0.288%

1 Year decline

± 3.08%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Roanoke, VA declined at a rate of −0.288%, from 148k employees to 147k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Roanoke, VA, are N/A. 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

$51,958

Median earning men ± $1,403

$40,509

Median earning women ± $1,303

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($73,248), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($66,942), and Public Administration ($64,834).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($57,500), Wholesale Trade ($52,454), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($49,124).

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.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

637
Other Services (except Public Administration)
549
Retail Trade
509
Construction

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.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.76M
Health Care and Social Assistance
$916k
Manufacturing
$574k
Retail Trade

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

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.

Education

In 2024, universities in Roanoke, VA awarded 2,434 degrees. The student population of Roanoke, VA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 4,330 male students and 6,584 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Roanoke, VA are White (1,692 and 70.6%), Black or African American (281 and 11.7%), Hispanic or Latino (126 and 5.26%), and Asian (109 and 4.55%).

The largest universities in Roanoke, VA by number of degrees awarded are Virginia Western Community College (1,298 and 53.3%), Roanoke College (470 and 19.3%), and American National University (254 and 10.4%).

The most popular majors in N/A are General Business Administration & Management (228 and 9.37%), Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities (165 and 6.78%), and Registered Nursing (96 and 3.94%).

The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $36,040.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Roanoke, VA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 80%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 10%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 10,914 (39.7% men and 60.3% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 10,914 students enrolled in Roanoke, VA, 39.7% men and 60.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 7,014 records, of which 60% were women and 40% men.

Completions

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Virginia Western Community College
1,298 degrees awarded
Roanoke College
470 degrees awarded
American National University
254 degrees awarded

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

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 862 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Roanoke, VA, which is 0.548 times less than the 1,572 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 1,692 degrees mean that there were 6.02 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 281 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

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($36,040) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,010) 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.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Roanoke, VA was $251,400 in 2024, which is 0.756 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $236,300 to $251,400, a 6.39% increase. The homeownership rate in Roanoke, VA is 68.6%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Roanoke, VA have an average commute time of 22.5 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.

Housing

Property

$251,400

Median Property Value 2024

±$4,599

N/A

Median Property Taxes

±N/A

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 N/A range.

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

Rent vs Own

68.6%

Homeownership

2024

68.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 68.6% of the housing units in Roanoke, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 68.7%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$68,761

Median Household Income

± $1,429

132k

Number of Households

± 2,836

In 2024, the median household income of the 132k households in Roanoke, VA grew to $68,761 from the previous year's value of $67,447.

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.

0.47

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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (76.6%)
Worked At Home (13.1%)
Carpooled (6.72%)

In 2024, 76.6% of workers in Roanoke, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.1%) and those who carpooled to work (6.72%).

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

22.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Roanoke, VA have a shorter commute time (22.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, N/A% 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

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

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

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

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