RANK #240 / 996 · POP 96,653 · VA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.8%
Roanoke County, Virginia, is often recognized for its direct access to the Appalachian Trail, including the iconic McAfee Knob, a popular hiking destination with panoramic views. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the county is largely suburban, surrounding the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem. Commutes within the county and to nearby cities are generally short, with residents often measuring travel time in minutes. The community offers a blend of natural scenery and convenient access to urban amenities. The county also features Explore Park, a large outdoor recreation facility with trails, camping, and a treetop adventure course.
Life in Roanoke County is characterized by a family-friendly atmosphere and a focus on outdoor activities. The public schools in Roanoke County are consistently rated highly. The local economy is diverse, with growth in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and technology. Major investments have been made in manufacturing operations, and the region benefits from its proximity to several higher education institutions, which contribute to a skilled workforce.
Overvalued relative to economy
No data
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.6x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Google Data Center Campus (Project Raspberry)
Google
|
$3,000M | Planned |
|
Roanoke City Schools Solar + Storage Microgrid
Secure Solar Futures
|
$60M | Under Construction |
|
Route 419/220 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI)
Virginia Department of Transportation
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Last-Mile Delivery Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Roanoke County has a Boom Town Index score of 76/100, ranking #240 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.7% and a median household income of $80,872, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Roanoke County is $245,800 with median rent at $1,116/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.329, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.7%. Home values changed +3.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.39% of Roanoke County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.