Roanoke city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Roanoke city, Virginia Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

As of 2026, Roanoke city, Virginia has a total population of 98,677, the 9th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $52,671, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.7%.

Key Takeaways

Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.

Roanoke city Quick Facts

Population 98,677

Median Household Income $52,671

Median Home Value $180,500

Poverty Rate 19.7%

Unemployment Rate 5.5%

Median Age 38.0 years

Homeownership Rate 51.7%

Affordability Ratio 3.4x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 28.9%

High School Graduation Rate 89.6%

Diversity Index 60/100

Population 98,677 9th of 681

Median Income $52,671 bottom 30%

Poverty Rate 19.7% 58% higher national

Median Home Value $180,500 below average

How Roanoke city Compares

Median Household Income

Roanoke city

$52,671

$90,974

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Roanoke city

$180,500

$360,700

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 25.3%

$25K-$50K 22.4%

$50K-$100K 29.8%

$100K+ 22.6%

Employment

5.5% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3% | National: 5.2%

62.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 51.7%

Renter 48.3%

Affordability Index Affordable

3.4x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.6%

18-34

22.5%

35-54

24.8%

55-74

23.1%

75+

7.0%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 60 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Roanoke city Rankings in Virginia

#9 Population of 681

#426 Median Income of 681

#310 Education of 681

#395 Home Value of 681

Explore Virginia Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Roanoke city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Portsmouth city	97,299	$58,972	$229,400	23.2%	17.6%
Lynchburg city	79,255	$59,808	$211,800	38.5%	17.4%
Suffolk city	96,638	$90,089	$329,600	32.4%	9.9%
Hampton city	137,334	$67,758	$234,100	27.5%	13.0%
Dale City CDP	72,793	$113,245	$400,100	33.0%	6.7%

Population Overview

Roanoke city is a mid-sized community located in Virginia, within Roanoke city. The total population is 98,677. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Roanoke city is 38.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Roanoke city is $52,671. This is 42% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.7%. This is 98% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $180,500. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 51.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Roanoke city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (28.5% vs 18.4%). The Asian population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.

Education

28.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Roanoke city, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Roanoke city, Virginia?

Roanoke city, Virginia has a population of 98,677 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Roanoke city, VA?

The median household income in Roanoke city is $52,671, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Roanoke city, VA?

The poverty rate in Roanoke city is 19.7%. This means approximately 19,062 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Roanoke city, Virginia?

Roanoke city's population is 55.5% White, 28.5% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in Roanoke city, VA?

The median home value in Roanoke city is $180,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.

How educated is Roanoke city, Virginia?

28.9% of adults (25+) in Roanoke city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.