RANK #751 / 996 NAT · #23 / 37 VA · POP 99,213
1YR FORECAST: +1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
At 24/100, Roanoke city faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $51,523 combined with job growth of +1.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Roanoke city is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $162,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $917/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Roanoke city are hiring — job growth of +1.6% — but the population is close to flat (-0.4% YoY). Home values moved +2.2% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.41% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Roanoke city has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.