Roanoke city, VA

County

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2021 Population

99,578

0.46% 1-year growth

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

0.524% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

18.4%

8.48% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$48,476

6.16% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$140,600

4.23% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

47,811

0.752% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Roanoke city, VA had a population of 99.6k people with a median age of 38 and a median household income of $48,476. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Roanoke city, VA grew from 99,122 to 99,578, a 0.46% increase and its median household income grew from $45,664 to $48,476, a 6.16% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke city, VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (57.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (28.6%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.69%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.15%), and White (Hispanic) (2.65%).

None of the households in Roanoke city, 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.

95.8% of the residents in Roanoke city, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Roanoke city, VA are Virginia Western Community College (233949) (1,133 degrees awarded in 2021) and Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (231280) (49 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Roanoke city, VA was $140,600, and the homeownership rate was 51.9%.

Most people in Roanoke city, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Roanoke city, VA was 2 cars per household.

Roanoke city, VA borders Roanoke County, VA and Salem city, VA.

Photo by Donnie Nunley

United States Virginia Roanoke, VA

Population & Diversity

Roanoke city, VA is home to a population of 99.6k people, from which 95.8% are citizens. As of 2021, 6.3% of Roanoke city, VA residents were born outside of the country (6.27k people).

In 2021, there were 2.01 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (57.2k people) in Roanoke city, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.4k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.67k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.8%

2021 Citizenship

95.4%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 95.8% of Roanoke city, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Roanoke city, VA was 95.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke city, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
57.2k ± 199
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
28.4k ± 758
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
3.67k ± 796

6.65%

Hispanic Population

6.62k people

6.65% of the people in Roanoke city, VA are hispanic (6.62k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
109,039 ± 8,055 people
India
96,011 ± 7,565 people
Mexico
59,097 ± 5,948 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 109,039 Virginia residents, followed by India with 96,011 and Mexico with 59,097.

Foreign-Born Population

6.3%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

6.27k people

6.64%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

6.59k people

As of 2021, 6.3% of Roanoke city, VA residents (6.27k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Roanoke city, VA was 6.64%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,011 ± 316
Gulf War (2001-)
1,223 ± 269
Gulf War (1990s)
999 ± 285

Roanoke city, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.64 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Roanoke city, VA employs 47.8k people. The largest industries in Roanoke city, VA are Health Care & Social Assistance (8,667 people), Retail Trade (5,691 people), and Manufacturing (4,925 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($80,114), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($61,122), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($56,202).

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $63,894. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.476, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

47.8k

2021 Value

± 1,950

0.752%

1 Year growth

± 5.68%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Roanoke city, VA grew at a rate of 0.752%, from 47.5k employees to 47.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Roanoke city, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,223 people), Sales & Related Occupations (5,220 people), and Management Occupations (3,916 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Roanoke city, 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

47.8k

2021 Value

± 1,950

0.752%

1 Year growth

± 5.68%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Roanoke city, VA grew at a rate of 0.752%, from 47.5k employees to 47.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Roanoke city, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (8,667 people), Retail Trade (5,691 people), and Manufacturing (4,925 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Roanoke city, VA, though some of these residents may live in Roanoke city, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$37,941

Median earning men ± $2,153

$32,602

Median earning women ± $1,495

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($55,721), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($52,862), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($51,510).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($42,421), Manufacturing ($39,415), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($38,646).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,027
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
899
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
657
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$919k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
$896k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$744k
Manufacturing

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Virginia to other states, or from other states to Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $37.7B, followed by Electronics ($29B) and Machinery ($23.6B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Virginia products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Virginia.

$313B

2020 Value in Virginia

$612B

Projected 2050 Value in Virginia

95.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Virginia trade was $313B. This is expected to increase 95.3% to $612B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Virginia to other states, or from other states to Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $26B, followed by Maryland with $18.5B and Pennsylvania and $12.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

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.

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 2021, universities in Roanoke city, VA awarded 1,182 degrees. The student population of Roanoke city, VA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 2,366 male students and 3,366 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Roanoke city, VA are White (948 and 80.5%), followed by Black or African American (99 and 8.4%), Hispanic or Latino (47 and 3.99%), and Asian (42 and 3.57%).

The largest universities in Roanoke city, VA by number of degrees awarded are Virginia Western Community College (233949) (1,133 and 95.9%) and Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (231280) (49 and 4.15%).

The most popular majors in Roanoke city, VA are General Studies (88 and 7.45%), Biological & Physical Sciences (87 and 7.36%), and General Business Administration & Management (72 and 6.09%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

Measure

In 2019 in Roanoke city, 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 2021 was 5,732 (41.3% men and 58.7% 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 2021 there were 5,732 students enrolled in Roanoke city, VA, 41.3% men and 58.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,178 records, of which 57.7% were women and 42.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Studies
88 degree-majors awarded
Biological & Physical Sciences
87 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
72 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Roanoke city, VA was General Studies with 88 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Virginia Western Community College (233949)
1,133 degrees awarded
Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (231280)
49 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Virginia Western Community College (233949) with 1,133 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 496 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Roanoke city, VA, which is 0.723 times less than the 686 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 948 degrees mean that there were 9.58 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 99 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 2021.

Public, 2-year ($675) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

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 2021, 0.836% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.859% 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 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.68M), Bachelors Degree (1.44M), and Some college (1.41M).

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 city, VA was $140,600 in 2021, which is 0.574 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $134,900 to $140,600, a 4.23% increase. The homeownership rate in Roanoke city, VA is 51.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Roanoke city, VA have an average commute time of 21.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Roanoke city, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Roanoke city, VA is $48,476. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Roanoke city, VA was Census Tract 29 with a value of $83,551, followed by Census Tract 21 and Census Tract 31, with respective values of $69,927 and $66,513.

In 2022, 18.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.32%.

Housing

Property

$140,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,540

$22,215

Median Property Taxes

±$1,147

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

Rent vs Own

51.9%

Homeownership

2021

64.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 51.9% of the housing units in Roanoke city, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 52.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Roanoke city, 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 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Roanoke city, VA was Census Tract 29 with a value of $83,551, followed by Census Tract 21 and Census Tract 31, with respective values of $69,927 and $66,513.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Roanoke city, 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.

$48,476

Median Household Income

± $2,257

42.8k

Number of Households

± 1,762

In 2021, the median household income of the 42.8k households in Roanoke city, VA grew to $48,476 from the previous year's value of $45,664.

The following chart displays the households in Roanoke city, 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 < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

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

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2021, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.476 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.381% decline from 2020 to 2021, 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 2021

Drove Alone (76.8%)
Worked At Home (7.66%)
Carpooled (7.12%)

In 2021, 76.8% of workers in Roanoke city, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (7.66%) and those who carpooled to work (7.12%).

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

21.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Roanoke city, VA have a shorter commute time (21.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 0.854% of the workforce in Roanoke city, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 18.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.32%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

18.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Roanoke city, VA (18k out of 98.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females < 5.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Roanoke city, VA is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

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.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 20.8% of the children was living in poverty in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 9.5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children 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.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 382 in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 280 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

89.5% of the population of Roanoke city, VA has health coverage, with 44% on employee plans, 21.4% on Medicaid, 13.7% on Medicare, 8.44% on non-group plans, and 1.94% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Roanoke city, VA see 918 patients per year on average, which represents a 13.6% decrease from the previous year (1063 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1270 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 289 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.1% were men and 54.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

918 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Roanoke city, VA

Primary care physicians in Roanoke city, VA see an average of 918 patients per year. This represents a 13.6% decrease from the previous year (1,063 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 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.5% under 18 years, 21.9% between 18 and 34 years, 38.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.1% were men and 54.9% were women.

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

Uninsured People

10.5%

Uninsured

44%

Employer Coverage

21.4%

Medicaid

13.7%

Medicare

8.44%

Non-Group

1.94%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Roanoke city, VA declined by 5.44% from 11.1% to 10.5%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 74.1 in Roanoke city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Roanoke city, VA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 36.2% in Roanoke city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Roanoke city, VA.

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