City · Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, city, in Roanoke city, Virginia. Roanoke had 99,111 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 100,011 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 98,355 (controlled total). GEOID 5168000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
99,111
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 100,011 · ACS 2020-2024: 98,355
Median household income
$55,378
±$2,433 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$190,500
±$6,503 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$996
±$30 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
Where is Roanoke and what county is it in?
Roanoke is a city in Roanoke city, Virginia. It covers 42.5 square miles of land, 2,352 residents per square mile in 2020.
Roanoke is in the Roanoke, VA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 6 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Roanoke covers the same area as Roanoke city: the city and the county are one area, so the county's figures are Roanoke's; the county page lists its census tracts.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Roanoke, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 99,111 people lived in Roanoke on July 1, 2025, down 0.9% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020 Census counted 100,011 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 98,355.
| Measure | Roanoke | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 98,355 | 8,705,170 | −874 |
| Households | 43,575 ±640 | 3,365,732 | +1,835 |
| Average household size | 2.22 ±0.03 | 2.52 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 49,106 ±50 | 3,684,756 | +2,096 |
Roanoke's population since 2000
From 94,911 in 2000 to 99,111 in 2025: up 4.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Roanoke as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Roanoke?
The median resident of Roanoke is 38.3 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 17.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 55.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 27.7%. 8.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Roanoke | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.3 ±0.5 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.6% | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.8% ±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Male | 47.0% ±0.3 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.0% | 11.0% | +2.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 55.3% ±0.3 pts | 58.4% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 27.7% ±0.7 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.1% ±0.2 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1% ±0.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.0% ±0.8 pts | 13.1% | +1.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.9% ±0.9 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3% ±0.8 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 14.6% ±1.0 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.8% ±1.0 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.7% ±1.0 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.0% ±1.5 pts | 42.2% | +6.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.5% ±1.0 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.3% ±1.5 pts | 86.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2% ±0.8 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Roanoke earn?
Half of Roanoke's 43,575 households earn less than $55,378 a year (±$2,433), against $55,378 in Roanoke city and $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $54,434 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Roanoke | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,378 ±$2,433 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $80,578 ±$4,381 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,576 ±$1,910 | $50,666 | +$3,340 |
| People below the poverty line | 18.3% ±1.7 pts | 9.9% | −2.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.6% ±3.7 pts | 12.3% | −7.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.9% ±1.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.7% ±1.0 pts | 95.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.7% ±1.5 pts | 91.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Roanoke?
Owners occupy 52.4% of Roanoke's occupied homes and renters 47.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $190,500 by its owner (±$6,503). The median renter pays $996 a month including utilities, and 37.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Roanoke | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $190,500 ±$6,503 | $383,700 | +$24,233 |
| Median gross rent | $996 ±$30 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.2% ±3.0 pts | 39.4% | −5.4 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,293 ±$48 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 52.4% ±1.9 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 47.6% ±1.9 pts | 32.7% | – |
| Housing units | 49,106 ±50 | 3,684,756 | +2,096 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4% ±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4% ±1.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.7% ±1.9 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.9% ±0.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.7% ±0.8 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.7% ±1.6 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 11.0% ±1.3 pts | 6.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Roanoke building?
Builders took permits for 410 new housing units in Roanoke in 2025 (88 in single-family houses), 4.1 per 1,000 residents against 3.7 across Virginia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Roanoke work and get to work?
74.9% of Roanoke's workers drive alone and 11.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.6%.
| Measure | Roanoke | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.1% ±1.4 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% ±1.2 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.9% ±2.0 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.0% ±1.2 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.4% ±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.6% ±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.8% ±1.5 pts | 18.3% | +7.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.0 min ±0.6 | 27.3 min | −3.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Roanoke?
25 census tracts lie mostly in Roanoke (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $29,706 (Tract 9) to $98,542 (Tract 29).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4Roanoke city | 5,437 | $47,045 |
| Tract 27Roanoke city | 5,406 | $51,338 |
| Tract 28Roanoke city | 5,353 | $55,017 |
| Tract 6.01Roanoke city | 5,314 | $60,217 |
| Tract 9Roanoke city | 5,013 | $29,706 |
| Tract 19Roanoke city | 4,944 | $61,712 |
| Tract 5Roanoke city | 4,859 | $35,866 |
| Tract 24Roanoke city | 4,618 | $49,948 |
| Tract 29Roanoke city | 4,524 | $98,542 |
| Tract 30Roanoke city | 4,168 | $50,765 |
| Tract 18Roanoke city | 4,061 | $70,956 |
| Tract 1Roanoke city | 4,056 | $42,255 |
Every census tract in Roanoke: the tract table of Roanoke city
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Roanoke) · Census block assignment files
How does Roanoke compare with other places in Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Roanoke is the 348th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 9th-most populous of 227 in Virginia.
Roanoke ranks 294th of 365 places in Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 9th | 227 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 88th | 139 |
| Residents per square mile | 125th | 374 |
| Median household income | 294th | 365 |
| Per capita income | 232nd | 374 |
| Median home value | 290th | 359 |
| Median gross rent | 247th | 341 |
| Poverty rate | 59th | 263 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 219th | 359 |
| Median age | 209th | 372 |
| Owner-occupied share | 310th | 368 |
| Work from home | 209th | 286 |
| Travel time to work | 326th | 372 |
Roanoke's figures with every place in Virginia (CSV)
Every place in Virginia, sortable · Compare Roanoke with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Roanoke?
3 of the 57 figures for Roanoke on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Roanoke are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Roanoke.