City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Roanoke, AL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Roanoke - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

5,332
Residents
$48,083
Median income
$129,100
Median home
$778
Median rent (state)

Roanoke - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Roanoke lands in the 17th percentile for household income and the 5th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
20th
percentile, home value
0th
percentile, median rent
5th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Roanoke, AL

5,332 people live in Roanoke, Alabama - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Roanoke brings in $48,083 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 9.9%. Typical homes in Roanoke are valued around $129,100, and the median resident age is 43.4 years. Educational attainment runs 18.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Roanoke (No Permits), per Census BPS data. Roanoke's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 4657.2 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Alabama run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Alabama at 88.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $778 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Alabama run around $245, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 30.6 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

5,332 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$48,083 /yr

Poverty 9.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Roanoke compare to other US cities?

Roanoke measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 20% pricier than other cities
Median rent 0% pricier than other cities
Safety 5% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Alabama alone, Roanoke ranks #212 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Roanoke's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Alabama, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

17thIncome percentile
5thSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 5th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Roanoke's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Roanoke's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 37 Avg. percentile National median
Roanoke's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Roanoke's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$129,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 80% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Roanoke $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Roanoke, AL Roanoke, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Roanoke, AL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Roanoke, AL median $48,083/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Roanoke, AL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Roanoke, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
5,332
Median Income
$48,083
Median Home Value
$129,100
Median Age
43.4
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Labor force participation
54.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4657.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
776.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3881.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,200 residents5,300 residents5,400 residents5,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,321 residents 5,440 residents ▲ +2.2%
Roanoke's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.7%
Carpool
11.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
3.0%
Other
4.0%

Based on 2,279 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alabama - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$138
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$245
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alabama state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alabama state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Roanoke sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$778/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
30.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Glencoe
5,356 people
Semmes
5,404 people
Brewton
5,232 people
Redland
5,231 people
Fort Rucker
5,221 people
Smiths Station
5,443 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Roanoke's 5,332 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Rusk, TX
5,332 people
Benson, AZ
5,331 people
Posen, IL
5,331 people
Guánica zona urbana, PR
5,333 people
Keyes, CA
5,330 people
Polson, MT
5,334 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Roanoke's $48,083 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pittsburg, TX
$48,081 median income
Woodville Farm Labor Camp, CA
$48,077 median income
Selmer, TN
$48,092 median income
Blacksburg, VA
$48,070 median income
Maryville, MO
$48,099 median income
Kinder, LA
$48,063 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Roanoke, AL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Roanoke, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 54.9% 42.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.6% White 54.9% Black or African American 42.4% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 1.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Roanoke compares to nearby Alabama cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Roanoke (this city) 5,332 $48,083
Glencoe 5,356 $66,050
Semmes 5,404 $66,458
Brewton 5,232 $48,766
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Roanoke, AL?

What is the population of Roanoke, AL? +

5,332 people live in Roanoke, AL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Roanoke, AL? +

The median household income in Roanoke is $48,083 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Roanoke? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Roanoke; the closest available measure is the Alabama state average, a cost of living index of 88.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alabama vary by metro area.

Is Roanoke, AL safe? +

Roanoke has a total crime rate of 4657.2 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Roanoke, AL? +

Roanoke's median home value sits at $129,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.