Hollins
RANK #797 / 996 NAT · #25 / 37 VA · POP 96,653
1YR FORECAST: +1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
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.
Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.6x — 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.
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 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Roanoke County scores just 19/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #797 of 996 counties. Job growth at -0.7% and median household income of $80,872 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Roanoke County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $245,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,116/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 +0.4% YoY and jobs -0.7%. Home values shifted +3.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 5.39% 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.