At a Glance
Median Income
$52,671
$34,792 per capita
Home Value
$180,500
Zillow: $279,227
Median Rent
$964/mo
28.8% of income on rent
Violent Crime
621/100K
4,117/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
28.9%
89.6% high school+
Unemployment
5.5%
14.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
41.9%
17.0% smoking rate
How Roanoke Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Roanoke's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Roanoke a Good Place to Live?
B
3.0 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Roanoke residents earn a median household income of $52,671 , which is 30% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $34,792. The unemployment rate stands at 5.5% (53% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 3,548 business establishments, including 302 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Roanoke is $180,500 , 36% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $279,227. Median rent is $964/month, with 28.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 101.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1959.
Safety & Crime
Roanoke reports 621 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 64% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 4,117/100K. The murder rate is 11.3/100K.
Education
28.9% of adults in Roanoke hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(14% below the national average).
89.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.6/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Roanoke has an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C).
Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
Data Overview
People
Population98,677
Median Age38.0 yrs
Density2,321/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born7.5%
Veterans7.5%
Economy
B
Median Income$52,671
Per Capita$34,792
Unemployment5.5%
Poverty14.8%
County GDP$10,061M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,206
Housing
A+
Home Value$180,500
Rent$964
Ownership51.7%
Zillow$279,227
Housing Units48,726
Rent Burden28.8%
Crime
F
Violent621/100K
Property4,117/100K
Murder11.3/100K
Assault430/100K
Burglary388/100K
Health
Obesity41.9%
Diabetes13.2%
Smoking17.0%
Heart Disease6.2%
Premature Death15,725/100K
Climate
Avg Temp58°F
Rain42.8 in/yr
AQI39 (Good)
Elevation978 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+28.9%
High School+89.6%
Graduate+10.7%
School Score5.6/10
Community
2024 VoteR 37% / D 61%
Commute20 min
Broadband84.0%
Internet Speed120 Mbps
EV Stations29
Libraries8
Did You Know?
Roanoke was founded in 1852.
The median home in Roanoke was built in 1959.
The nearest airport is Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (3 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.498 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
14.0% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 120 Mbps.
There are 302 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 9 fatal vehicle crashes.