RANK #558 / 996 · POP 99,213 · VA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%
Roanoke, Virginia, often called the "Star City of the South," is distinguished by the Roanoke Star, an 88.5-foot-tall illuminated structure atop Mill Mountain that has served as a landmark since 1949. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke is approximately 168 miles west of Richmond. The city offers a blend of urban amenities and natural scenery, with the Blue Ridge Parkway running just south of the city and the Appalachian Trail passing nearby. Commute times are generally short, and public transportation options include Valley Metro bus service and a free downtown trolley. The community provides a relaxed atmosphere for residents.
Life in Roanoke offers affordability and a connection to nature. The city's public school system, Roanoke City Public Schools, serves approximately 14,000 students. Roanoke's economy, historically shaped by the railroad, has diversified. Recent economic developments show growth in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and information technology. The region has also seen investment in infrastructure and efforts to revitalize commercial spaces and support local businesses.
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Google Botetourt County Data Center Campus
Google
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Stormwater Capital Improvement Projects
City of Roanoke Stormwater Utility
|
$140M | Ongoing |
|
Rocky Forge Wind Farm
Apex Clean Energy
|
$75M | Under Construction |
|
Roanoke Gas Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Facility
Roanoke Gas Company & Western Virginia Water Authority
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Roanoke city has a Boom Town Index score of 44/100, ranking #558 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $51,523, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Roanoke city is $162,000 with median rent at $917/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.318, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed +2.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.41% of Roanoke city's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.