Roanoke, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Roanoke, Virginia had a total population of 98,355, the 10th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $55,378, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Roanoke Quick Facts
How Roanoke Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 98,355 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $52,671 | $55,378 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $180,500 | $190,500 | +5.5% |
How Roanoke Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Roanoke Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Roanoke
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 97,190 | $60,491 | $246,900 | 24.3% | 17.3% |
| Lynchburg | 79,497 | $57,947 | $229,800 | 38.5% | 18.6% |
| Suffolk | 98,796 | $92,666 | $347,400 | 33.3% | 9.4% |
| Hampton | 137,557 | $69,621 | $245,700 | 28.5% | 12.7% |
| Dale City | 71,016 | $111,994 | $425,500 | 33.6% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Roanoke is a mid-sized community located in Virginia. The total population is 98,355. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Roanoke is 38.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Roanoke is $55,378. This is 41% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.3%. This is 85% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $190,500. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 52.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Roanoke is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (27.7% vs 18.3%). The Asian population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
30.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Roanoke, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Roanoke, Virginia?
Roanoke, Virginia has a population of 98,355 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Roanoke, VA?
The median household income in Roanoke is $55,378, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Roanoke, VA?
The poverty rate in Roanoke is 18.3%. This means approximately 17,729 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Roanoke, Virginia?
Roanoke's population is 55.3% White, 27.7% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Roanoke, VA?
The median home value in Roanoke is $190,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Roanoke, Virginia?
30.0% of adults (25+) in Roanoke hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.