County · West Virginia
Roane County, West Virginia
Roane County, West Virginia. Roane County had 13,317 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 54087.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
13,317
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,028 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,786
Median household income
$45,778
±$3,029 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$122,100
±$11,520 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$614
±$121 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Roane County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,028 residents in Roane County. The Census Bureau estimates 13,317 for July 1, 2025, down 5.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 13,786 over 484 square miles of land.
| Measure | Roane County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,786 | 1,778,373 | −234 |
| Households | 5,704±228 | 728,655 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.09 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,146±52 | 861,325 | −297 |
Roane County's population since 2000
From 15,446 in 2000 to 13,317 in 2025: down 13.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Roane County?
Roane County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Spencer with 1,895 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Spencer | 2,063 | $37,639 |
|---|---|---|
| ReedyGEOID 5467660 | 150 | $31,875 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Roane County?
The median resident of Roane County is 46.9 years old; 20.0% are under 18 and 23.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.3%. 0.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Roane County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9±0.7 | 42.7 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 20.0%±0.3 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.6%±0.4 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2%±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.0%±1.2 pts | 89.7% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±1.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2%±1.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 23.2%±2.6 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.9%±1.9 pts | 6.0% | +2.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.5%±2.6 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.2%±2.7 pts | 24.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.6%±1.6 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.9 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 Roane County earn?
Half of Roane County's 5,704 households earn less than $45,778 a year (±$3,029), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $45,995 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Roane County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $45,778±$3,029 | $59,608 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $62,771±$5,303 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,304±$2,184 | $34,203 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.1%±4.5 pts | 16.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 30.8%±11.4 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.8%±3.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 76.3%±3.5 pts | 86.1% | – |
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 Roane County?
Owners occupy 78.9% of Roane County's occupied homes and renters 21.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $122,100 by its owner (±$11,520). The median renter pays $614 a month including utilities, and 45.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Roane County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $122,100±$11,520 | $162,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $614±$121 | $872 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.9%±12.8 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,140±$95 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.9%±3.5 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,146±52 | 861,325 | −297 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9%±2.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.9%±5.9 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.2%±3.9 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 27.8%±3.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±1.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.6%±2.6 pts | 14.9% | – |
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 Roane County building?
Builders took permits for 21 new housing units across Roane County in 2025 (21 single-family), 1.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Roane County get to work?
78.6% of Roane County's workers drive alone and 6.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.1%.
| Measure | Roane County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 42.8%±2.8 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.1%±2.8 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.6%±3.9 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.2%±3.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±1.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.1%±2.6 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.7 min±2.9 | 26.6 min | no clear change |
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 are Roane County's census tracts?
Roane County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,169 (Tract 9630) to $50,600 (Tract 9629.02).
| Tract 962854087962800 | 2,392±385 | $44,051 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9629.0154087962901 | 2,103±305 | $44,938 |
| Tract 9629.0254087962902 | 2,001±320 | $50,600 |
| Tract 963054087963000 | 3,692±381 | $31,169 |
| Tract 963154087963100 | 3,598±502 | $48,764 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Roane County compare with West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 39th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 42nd of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th of 55 |
| Median household income | 48th of 55 |
| Median home value | 36th of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 51st of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 22nd of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 40th of 55 |
| Median age | 11th of 55 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Roane County 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' school search.