RANK #419 / 1001 NAT · #12 / 37 VA · POP 97,023
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Roanoke County, Virginia, is often recognized for its direct access to the Appalachian Trail, including the iconic McAfee Knob, a popular hiking destination with panoramic views. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the county is largely suburban, surrounding the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem. Commutes within the county and to nearby cities are generally short, with residents often measuring travel time in minutes. The community offers a blend of natural scenery and convenient access to urban amenities. The county also features Explore Park, a large outdoor recreation facility with trails, camping, and a treetop adventure course.
Life in Roanoke County is characterized by a family-friendly atmosphere and a focus on outdoor activities. The public schools in Roanoke County are consistently rated highly. The local economy is diverse, with growth in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and technology. Major investments have been made in manufacturing operations, and the region benefits from its proximity to several higher education institutions, which contribute to a skilled workforce.
Roanoke County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +3.8% YoY, population +0.2%, wages +2.5%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 13.2x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
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 Data Center Campus (Project Raspberry)
Google
|
$3,000M | Planned |
|
Roanoke City Schools Solar + Storage Microgrid
Secure Solar Futures
|
$60M | Under Construction |
|
Route 419/220 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI)
Virginia Department of Transportation
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Last-Mile Delivery Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Roanoke County scores 58/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#419). Median household income is $83,709 and job growth is running at -0.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Roanoke County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $286,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,224/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Roanoke County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs -0.1%. Home values shifted +3.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 5.52% of Roanoke County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.