Roanoke city, Virginia Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 19th-largest in Virginia

The population of Roanoke city, Virginia is 98,677 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 19th-largest county in Virginia. The median household income is $52,671, the median home value is $180,500, and the median age is 38.0.

The population of Roanoke city has grown 1.2% since 2010 (96,722 → 97,912), a +0.09% annualized rate.

Roanoke city within Virginia · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

98,677

Population

+0.09%

Annual growth

2321

People / sq mi

$52,671

Median Income

$180,500

Median Home Value

Roanoke city covers 43 sq mi of land at 2320.7 people per square mile.

About Roanoke city, VA

Roanoke city is a county in Virginia with a population of 98,677. It ranks #19 among counties in Virginia by population. The median age is 38.0, in line with the national median. The population is 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

The median household income in Roanoke city is $52,671, below the US median of $74,580. 14.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $180,500, with monthly rent averaging $964. The homeownership rate of 51.7% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Roanoke city reflects 28.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 10.7% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 19.9 minutes each way.

Roanoke city Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Roanoke city had a population of 96,722 in 2010 and 97,912 in 2024, a 1.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 99,898 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.09%.

97,912

Population (2024)

96,722

Population (2010)

99,898

Peak (2020)

0.09%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	96,722	-	-	estimate
2011	96,791	+69	+0.07%	estimate
2012	98,034	+1,243	+1.28%	estimate
2013	98,884	+850	+0.87%	estimate
2014	99,475	+591	+0.60%	estimate
2015	99,741	+266	+0.27%	estimate
2016	99,383	-358	-0.36%	estimate
2017	98,989	-394	-0.40%	estimate
2018	98,964	-25	-0.03%	estimate
2019	99,216	+252	+0.25%	estimate
2020	99,898	+682	+0.69%	estimate
2021	98,717	-1,181	-1.18%	estimate
2022	97,743	-974	-0.99%	estimate
2023	97,503	-240	-0.25%	estimate
2024	97,912	+409	+0.42%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	57.5%
Black or African American	29.0%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.1%
Two or More Races	0.1%

Age & Sex

38.0

Median Age

52.9%

Female

47.1%

Male

17.4%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.4%

5–9

6.3%

10–14

6.3%

15–19

5.5%

20–24

5.5%

25–34

15.1%

35–44

12.8%

45–54

12.0%

55–59

6.9%

60–64

5.7%

65–74

10.5%

75–84

4.3%

85+

2.6%

Children (under 15): 19.0% · Seniors (65+): 17.4%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$52,671$-38,303 vs state
Mean household income	$76,775
Per-capita income	$34,792
Poverty rate	14.8%+8.0% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.4%
Employment-to-population	59.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

27.5%

Finance & real estate

10.7%

Manufacturing

10.2%

Education & health care

8.4%

Information

6.4%

Retail trade

6.1%

Construction

5.9%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.8%

The largest employment sector in Roanoke city is professional & business services, accounting for 27.5% of workers.

How residents commute

2.4%

Drive alone

1.4%

Carpool

76.2%

Public transit

10.7%

Work from home

19.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$180,500$-180,200 vs state

Median home value

$964

Median rent

51.7%

Homeownership rate

48,931

Total housing units

88.8%

Occupied

11.2%

Vacant

48.3%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

90.4%

With health insurance

91.0%

With broadband internet

27.2%

Foreign-born

7.5%

Veterans (18+)

14.0%

With a disability

89.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

89.6%

High School+

28.9%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Virginia

Virginia Beach (457,066)Chesapeake (251,153)Arlington (235,463)Norfolk (235,037)Richmond (227,595)Newport News (184,774)Alexandria (156,788)Hampton (137,334)Roanoke (98,677)Portsmouth (97,299)All Virginia cities →

Other counties in Virginia

Fairfax County (1,144,474)Prince William County (484,625)Virginia Beach city (457,066)Loudoun County (427,082)Chesterfield County (371,610)Henrico County (334,434)Chesapeake city (251,153)Arlington County (235,463)Norfolk city (235,037)Richmond city (227,595)All Virginia counties →

Part of Virginia

Virginia demographic profile All Virginia data →

Metro areas in Virginia

Washington (6,263,796)Virginia Beach (1,782,590)Richmond (1,327,321)Roanoke (314,661)Kingsport (309,580)Lynchburg (262,716)Charlottesville (222,937)Blacksburg (181,605)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke city, Virginia has a population of 98,677 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 19th-largest county in Virginia. Population density is 2321 people per square mile.

The population of Roanoke city has grown 1.2% since 2010 (96,722 → 97,912), a +0.09% annualized rate.

The median household income in Roanoke city, Virginia is $52,671, with mean (average) household income of $76,775 and per-capita income of $34,792. 14.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Roanoke city, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (57.5%), Black or African American (29.0%), Hispanic or Latino (1.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Roanoke city, Virginia is 38.0 years. Residents are 52.9% female and 47.1% male.

The median home value in Roanoke city is $180,500 and median monthly rent is $964. 51.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 48,931 total housing units, 11.2% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Roanoke city, Virginia is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 27.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.4%.

Virginia Beach is among the largest cities associated with Roanoke city, Virginia, with a population of 457,066.