CensusEasy
METRO AREA · 2000 CENSUS

Roanoke Metro

Roanoke, VA · 6 counties · 288,309 residents · 1,867.568 sq mi
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The short version

Roanoke has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $39,704. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $100,459.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 39.4
US median: 35.2
Average education
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
288,309
+7%since 1990
from 268,398 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
154 / sq mi
+7%since 1990
from 144 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
39.4
+9%since 1990
from 36.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
264K278K292K306K320K1990201020202024Roanoke
2024315K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,704
+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $28,960 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,006
+51%since 1990
from $13,916 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
9.5%
−0.4 ptssince 1990
from 9.8% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$100,459
+16%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $65,992 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$488
+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $357 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
71.3%
+0.9 ptssince 1990
from 70.5% in 1990
28.7% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+11%since 1990
from 2.3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Roanoke on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic87.2%(234,073)
Black11.8%(31,740)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(1,351)
Asian0.7%(1,871)
Diversity Score29.1%(78,203)
2000
White, non-Hispanic84.4%(243,264)
Black12.1%(34,988)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(3,269)
Asian1%(3,011)
Diversity Score31.7%(91,421)
Diversity Score
32
+9%since 1990
from 29 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.0%
+4.2 ptssince 1990
from 16.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
79.4%
+8.0 ptssince 1990
from 71.4% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
7.1%
+1.6 ptssince 1990
from 5.5% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.0 min
−24%since 1990
from 18.3 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

In this metro

Principal cities

RoanokeCENTRAL99,111
What's inside

6 component counties

RoanokeCENTRAL99,111Roanoke CountyCENTRAL97,150Franklin County55,526Botetourt CountyCENTRAL34,144SalemCENTRAL25,816Craig County4,800
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Roanoke

Clarksville
Pop 349,001
Rockford
Pop 337,242
South Bend
Pop 324,538
Utica
Pop 285,611
Places similar to Roanoke
Head to head

Compare Roanoke side by side

ROANOKE VS
Clarksville
Income$70,081+77%
Home value$250,970+150%
Population349,001+10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROANOKE VS
Rockford
Income$68,800+73%
Home value$172,788+72%
Population337,242+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROANOKE VS
South Bend
Income$67,435+70%
Home value$196,800+96%
Population324,538+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROANOKE VS
Utica
Income$69,815+76%
Home value$175,381+75%
Population285,611−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Roanoke, VA?

Roanoke, VA has about 288,309 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Roanoke, VA?

The typical household in Roanoke, VA earns about $39,704 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Roanoke, VA expensive?

In Roanoke, VA, the median home is worth about $100,459, and the typical rent is about $488 a month.

How educated are people in Roanoke, VA?

About 21.0% of adults age 25 and over in Roanoke, VA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Roanoke, VA?

About 9.5% of people in Roanoke, VA live below the federal poverty line.

Has Roanoke, VA grown since 1990?

Yes, Roanoke, VA has grown since 1990. The population has added about 19,911 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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