Roanoke, VA

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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Population

314,515

0.584% 1-year growth

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

Median Age

43.1

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Household Income

$55,151

1.69% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$178,300

3.83% 1-year decline

Number of Employees

147,610

1.13% 1-year decline

About

In 2018, Roanoke, VA had a population of 315k people with a median age of 43.1 and a median household income of $55,151. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Roanoke, VA grew from 312,688 to 314,515, a 0.584% increase and its median household income grew from $54,233 to $55,151, a 1.69% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke, VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (78%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (12.7%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.55%), White (Hispanic) (2.02%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.93%). NaNk% of the people in Roanoke, VA speak a non-English language, and 97.2% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Roanoke, VA are Virginia Western Community College (1,290 degrees awarded in 2017), Roanoke College (487 degrees), and Jefferson College of Health Sciences (367 degrees).

The median property value in Roanoke, VA is $178,300, and the homeownership rate is 67.5%. Most people in Roanoke, VA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 22 minutes. The average car ownership in Roanoke, VA is 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

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Virginia. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Virginia, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

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.

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Virginia across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 49.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44.4%), followed by Gary Johnson (2.97%). The most partisan county was Petersburg city, VA with 87.2% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

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 Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Roanoke, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (49.8%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (44.4%)
Republican Party
Gary Johnson (2.97%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 49.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44.4%), followed by Gary Johnson (2.97%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Virginia.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for Virginia

49.8% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Virginia

Petersburg city, VA
87.2% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Bland County, VA
82% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Tazewell County, VA
81.7% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Virginia was Petersburg city, VA with 87.2% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Virginia colored by their party leaning.

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, colored by their political party.

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.

Diversity

Roanoke, VA is home to a population of 315k people, from which 97.2% are citizens. As of 2018, 4.81% of Roanoke, VA residents were born outside of the country (15.1k people).

In 2018, there were 6.17 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (245k people) in Roanoke, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 39.8k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 11.2k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
245k ± 2.2k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
39.8k ± 2.05k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
11.2k ± 2.94k

3.4%

Hispanic Population

10.7k people

3.4% of the people in Roanoke, VA are hispanic (10.7k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.81%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

15.1k people

4.91%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

15.3k people

As of 2018, 4.81% of Roanoke, VA residents (15.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Roanoke, VA was 4.91%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.8

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 5.6

In 2018, the median age of all people in Roanoke, VA was 43.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 44, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 37. But people in Roanoke, VA are getting getting younger. In 2017, the average age of all Roanoke, VA residents was 44.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
128,320 ± 8,728 people
India
95,761 ± 7,555 people
Philippines
59,845 ± 5,985 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 128,320 Virginia residents, followed by India with 95,761 and Philippines with 59,845.

Citizenship

97.2%

2018 Citizenship

97.3%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 97.2% of Roanoke, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Roanoke, VA was 97.3%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
9,043 ± 1,220
Gulf War (2001-)
4,439 ± 1,218
Gulf War (1990s)
2,521 ± 758

Roanoke, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.04 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Roanoke, VA is $55,151. In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Roanoke, VA was Loudoun County, VA with a value of $139,915, followed by Arlington County, VA and Fairfax County, VA, with respective values of $122,394 and $122,227.

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $58,156. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.48, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Roanoke, VA employs 148k people. The largest industries in Roanoke, VA are Health Care & Social Assistance (25,183 people), Retail Trade (15,625 people), and Manufacturing (15,571 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($57,584), Transportation & Warehousing ($56,481), and Finance & Insurance ($54,108).

Wages

Median Household Income

$55,151

2018 value

± $3,201

1.69%

1 Year Growth

± 7.77%

Households in Roanoke, VA have a median annual income of $55,151, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $54,233 in 2017, which represents a 1.69% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Roanoke, VA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$77,546

Average Male Salary in Virginia

± $1,392

$58,156

Average Female Salary in Virginia

± $1,080

In 2018, full-time male employees in Virginia made 1.33 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Virginia by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Virginia

Asian
$69,631 ± $2,938
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
$68,532 ± $39,047
White
$64,990 ± $1,071

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Virginia workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.02 times more than American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Virginia.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Virginia by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

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

0.48

2018 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.477

2017 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2018, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.48 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.451% growth from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Virginia was higher than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed less 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Roanoke, VA was Loudoun County, VA with a value of $139,915, followed by Arlington County, VA and Fairfax County, VA, with respective values of $122,394 and $122,227.

The following map shows all of the counties in Roanoke, VA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

13.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Roanoke, VA (40.9k out of 304k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Females 35 - 44.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
26,176 ± 1,196
Black
11,389 ± 854
Hispanic
2,269 ± 398

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

148k

2018 Value

± 6,545

-1.13%

1 Year decline

± 6.35%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Roanoke, VA declined at a rate of -1.13%, from 149k employees to 148k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Roanoke, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (16,515 people), Sales & Related Occupations (15,356 people), and Management Occupations (15,256 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Roanoke, VA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Roanoke, VA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (16,515 people), Sales & Related Occupations (15,356 people), and Management Occupations (15,256 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Roanoke, VA has an unusually high number of residents working as Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (1.55 times higher than expected), Transportation Occupations (1.4 times), and Production Occupations (1.23 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Roanoke, VA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($76,851), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($72,608), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($65,835).

Industries

Employment by Industries

148k

2018 Value

± 6,545

-1.13%

1 Year decline

± 6.35%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Roanoke, VA declined at a rate of -1.13%, from 149k employees to 148k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Roanoke, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (25,183 people), Retail Trade (15,625 people), and Manufacturing (15,571 people). 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Roanoke, VA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (25,183 people), Retail Trade (15,625 people), and Manufacturing (15,571 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Roanoke, VA has an unusually high number of Wholesale Trade (1.53 times higher than expected), Finance & Insurance (1.27 times), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1.23 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Roanoke, VA, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($57,584), Transportation & Warehousing ($56,481), and Finance & Insurance ($54,108).

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 2015, the top outbound Virginia product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $27.5B, followed by Motorized vehicles ($26B) and Electronics ($22.4B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Virginia.

$254B

2015 Value in Virginia

$373B

Projected 2045 Value in Virginia

46.7% growth

In 2015, total outbound Virginia trade was $254B. This is expected to increase 46.7% to $373B by 2045.

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

Maryland
$23.4B
North Carolina
$12.9B
Pennsylvania
$11.1B

In 2015, the top outbound Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Maryland with $23.4B, followed by North Carolina with $12.9B and Pennsylvania and $11.1B.

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

Education

In 2017, universities in Roanoke, VA awarded 3,284 degrees. The student population of Roanoke, VA is skewed towards women, with 5,327 male students and 8,364 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Roanoke, VA are White (2,446 and 75.5%), followed by Black or African American (383 and 11.8%), Unknown (125 and 3.86%), and Two or More Races (102 and 3.15%).

The largest universities in Roanoke, VA by number of degrees awarded are Virginia Western Community College (1,290 and 39.3%), Roanoke College (487 and 14.8%), and Jefferson College of Health Sciences (367 and 11.2%).

The most popular majors in Roanoke, VA are General Business Administration & Management (262 and 7.98%), Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities (193 and 5.88%), and Registered Nursing (147 and 4.48%).

The median tuition costs in Roanoke, VA are $35,280 for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
92 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
73 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
135 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Roanoke, VA was Registered Nursing with 92 degree-majorss awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Virginia Western Community College
1,290 degrees awarded
Roanoke College
487 degrees awarded
Jefferson College of Health Sciences
367 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$35,280

Median Private

In 2017, the Roanoke, VA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Virginia Western Community College with 1,290 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

1,102

Degrees Awarded to Men

2,182

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 1,102 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Roanoke, VA, which is 0.505 times less than the 2,182 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Roanoke, VA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
2,446 degrees awarded
Black or African American
383 degrees awarded
Unknown
125 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Roanoke, VA were to White students. These 2,446 degrees mean that there were 6.39 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 383 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Roanoke, VA was $178,300 in 2018, which is 0.776 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $185,400 to $178,300, a 3.83% decrease. The homeownership rate in Roanoke, VA is 67.5%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Roanoke, VA have an average commute time of 22 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Roanoke, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$178,300

2018 Median

± $6,794

$185,400

2017 Median

± $5,327

In 2018, the median property value in Roanoke, VA declined from to $178,300 from the previous year's value of $185,400.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Roanoke, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Roanoke, VA the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

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

$55,151

Median Household Income

± $3,201

127k

Number of Households

± 5,815

In 2018, the median household income of the 127k households in Roanoke, VA grew to $55,151 from the previous year's value of $54,233.

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.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Roanoke, VA 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 $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

67.5%

2018 Homeownership

68.8%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 67.5% of the housing units in Roanoke, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 68.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Roanoke, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

22 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Roanoke, VA have a shorter commute time (22 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.01% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
81.6%
Worked At Home
7.27%
Carpooled
6.21%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Roanoke, VA was Drove Alone (81.6%), followed by those who Worked At Home (7.27%) and those who Carpooled (6.21%).

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.

Transportation

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, followed by 3 cars.

Health

91.7% of the population of Roanoke, VA has health coverage, with 50% on employee plans, 11.9% on Medicaid, 16.3% on Medicare, 11.5% on non-group plans, and 2% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Virginia was $7,556 in 2014. This is a 3.42% increase from the previous year ($7,306).

Primary care physicians in Virginia see 1316 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.0759% decrease from the previous year (1317 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1494 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 684 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Halifax County and Mecklenburg County have the highest prevalence of diabetes (15.6%). Additionally, Petersburg city has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (45.3%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,316 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Virginia

Primary care physicians in Virginia see an average of 1,316 patients per year. This represents a 0.0759% decrease from the previous year (1,317 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.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$7,556

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Virginia

$4,218

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,361

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,677

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Virginia (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.42%, from $7,306 to $7,556.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

8.28%

Uninsured

50%

Employer Coverage

11.9%

Medicaid

16.3%

Medicare

11.5%

Non-Group

Military or VA

Between N/A and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Roanoke, VA N/A by N/A from N/A% to 8.28%.

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.