Roane County, West Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Roane County is located in West Virginia with a total population of 13,921. It is the 39th most populous county out of 55 in West Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Roane County is 46.5 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Roane County is $45,194. This is 22% lower than the state median of $57,917. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.1%. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $121,100. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $155,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Roane County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 74.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Roane County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.2%.

Education

14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 23.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.9%.