Roanoke County, Virginia

Roanoke County
Roanoke County
U.S. county
	Roanoke County Courthouse
	Seal
	Location within the U.S. state of Virginia
	Virginia's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 37°16′N 80°05′W / 37.27°N 80.08°W
Country	United States
State	Virginia
Founded	March 30, 1838
Named for	Roanoke River
Seat	Salem
Largest town	Vinton
Area
• Total	251 sq mi (650 km2)
• Land	251 sq mi (650 km2)
• Water	0.7 sq mi (2 km2) 0.3%
Population (2010)
• Total	92,376
• Estimate (2018)	94,073
• Density	370/sq mi (140/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts	6th, 9th
Website	www.roanokecountyva.gov

Roanoke County is a county located in the U.S. state of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 92,376.^[3] Its county seat is Salem, but the chief administrative offices are located in the unincorporated Cave Spring area of the county.^[4]

Roanoke County is part of the Roanoke, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area and located within the Roanoke Region of Virginia.^[5]

The independent cities of Roanoke and Salem (incorporated as such in 1884 and 1968 respectively) are located within the boundaries of Roanoke County, but are not a part of the county. The town of Vinton is the only municipality within the county. While significant areas of the county are rural and mountainous, most residents live in the suburbs near Roanoke and Salem in the Roanoke Valley.

History[]

State historical marker for Roanoke County, Virginia

The county was established by an act of the Virginia Legislature on March 30, 1838 from the southern part of Botetourt County.^[2] It was named for the Roanoke River, which in turn was derived from a Native American term for money.^[6] Additional territory was transferred to Roanoke County from Montgomery County in 1845. Salem was originally the county seat.^[7] When Salem became an independent city, by agreement with the county the Roanoke County Courthouse remained in Salem and the two localities share a jail. However, the County Administrative Offices were moved to the Cave Spring District.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 251.3 square miles (650.9 km²), of which 250.6 square miles (649.1 km²) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) (0.3%) is water.^[8]

Districts[]

The county is governed by a Board of Supervisors with one representative elected from each of the five magisterial districts: Catawba, Cave Spring, Hollins, Vinton, and Windsor Hills.^[9] Vinton is an incorporated town with an elected town council and town manager.^[10]

Adjacent counties and cities[]

Bedford County, Virginia - East
Botetourt County, Virginia - Northeast
Craig County, Virginia - Northwest
Floyd County, Virginia - Southwest
Franklin County, Virginia - Southeast
Montgomery County, Virginia - West
Roanoke, Virginia - Center (enclave)
Salem, Virginia - Center (enclave)

Nationally protected areas[]

Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
Jefferson National Forest (part)

Major highways[]

I-73 (future)
I-81
I-581
US 11
US 220
US 221

SR 117
SR 118
SR 311
SR 419

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1840	5,499		—
1850	8,477		54.2%
1860	8,048		−5.1%
1870	9,350		16.2%
1880	13,105		40.2%
1890	30,101		129.7%
1900	15,837		−47.4%
1910	19,623		23.9%
1920	22,395		14.1%
1930	35,289		57.6%
1940	42,897		21.6%
1950	41,486		−3.3%
1960	61,693		48.7%
1970	67,339		9.2%
1980	72,945		8.3%
1990	79,332		8.8%
2000	85,778		8.1%
2010	92,376		7.7%
2018 (est.)	94,073	^[1]	1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census^[11] 1790-1960^[12] 1900-1990^[13] 1990-2000^[14] 2010-2013^[3]

As of the census^[15] of 2000, there were 85,778 people, 34,686 households, and 24,696 families residing in the county. The population density was 342 people per square mile (132/km²). There were 36,121 housing units at an average density of 144 per square mile (56/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.63% White, 3.35% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.61% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 34,686 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 27.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 89.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,689, and the median income for a family was $56,450. Males had a median income of $39,126 versus $26,690 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,637. About 2.70% of families and 4.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.20% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over.

Politics[]

Roanoke County is a strongly Republican county in Presidential elections. It was one of the first areas of Virginia to ditch the Democratic Party. No Democrat has carried the county since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, and Jimmy Carter in 1976 is the last Democrat to garner even 40 percent of the vote.

However, the independent city of Roanoke itself is more Democratic than the county's average and has voted for Democrats in each presidential election since 1988.

show

Presidential elections results

Education[]

There are five high schools located in Roanoke County:

Hollins University, a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, is located in northern Roanoke County, near the Botetourt County border. Roanoke College, also a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, is located in the independent city of Salem within the boundaries of Roanoke County; the former county courthouse on Main Street is now a college academic building.

Notable people[]

Notable sports figures from Roanoke County include Tiki Barber, Ronde Barber, J. J. Redick, all of whom attended and graduated from Cave Spring High School in Southwest Roanoke County.

Communities[]

Town[]

Vinton

Census-designated places[]

Other unincorporated communities[]

Many of these CDPs and unincorporated areas have mailing addresses in the cities of Roanoke and Salem.

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Archived from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Jack, Pp. 6-7
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
^ "Home - Roanoke Regional Partnership". Roanoke Regional Partnership. Archived from the original on 2009-06-13.
^ Jack, P. 8
^ Jack, P. 43
^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
^ "Board of Supervisors". Roanoke County, Virginia. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
^ "Town Council". Town of Vinton. Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on 2020-12-09.

Bibliography[]

Jack, George S. and Edward Boyle Jacobs, (1912). History of Roanoke County, Stone.

External links[]

Coordinates: 37°16′N 80°05′W / 37.27°N 80.08°W / 37.27; -80.08

[USCensusEst2018-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Archived from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2019.

[j6-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b Jack, Pp. 6-7

[QF-3] Jump up to: ^a ^b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2014.

[GR6-4] "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.

[5] "Home - Roanoke Regional Partnership". Roanoke Regional Partnership. Archived from the original on 2009-06-13.

[j8-6] Jack, P. 8

[j43-7] Jack, P. 43

[GR1-8] "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.

[BOS-9] "Board of Supervisors". Roanoke County, Virginia. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2010.

[ToV-10] "Town Council". Town of Vinton. Archived from the original on January 3, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2010.

[11] "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2014.

[12] "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2014.

[13] "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2014.

[14] "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2014.

[GR8-15] "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.

[16] Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on 2020-12-09.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2020	59.9% 34,268	38.1% 21,801	2.0% 1,115
2016	61.0% 31,408	33.4% 17,200	5.6% 2,881
2012	61.8% 31,624	36.5% 18,711	1.7% 882
2008	60.0% 30,571	38.9% 19,812	1.2% 592
2004	65.1% 30,596	34.2% 16,082	0.6% 295
2000	60.1% 25,740	37.7% 16,141	2.2% 936
1996	52.5% 20,700	39.0% 15,387	8.5% 3,334
1992	50.3% 20,667	35.8% 14,704	13.9% 5,709
1988	62.6% 22,011	36.8% 12,938	0.6% 208
1984	68.6% 23,348	31.0% 10,569	0.4% 137
1980	55.8% 17,182	39.3% 12,114	4.9% 1,518
1976	50.4% 13,587	48.7% 13,120	0.9% 241
1972	77.3% 19,920	20.6% 5,318	2.1% 540
1968	58.9% 12,439	18.5% 3,902	22.6% 4,783
1964	54.8% 10,714	45.1% 8,808	0.1% 14
1960	67.3% 9,109	32.4% 4,384	0.3% 39
1956	69.8% 7,509	27.0% 2,899	3.2% 345
1952	69.0% 6,017	30.8% 2,689	0.2% 20
1948	53.5% 3,988	38.6% 2,876	7.9% 591
1944	48.1% 3,146	51.7% 3,380	0.2% 10
1940	39.1% 2,302	60.1% 3,539	0.8% 47
1936	37.9% 2,105	61.6% 3,422	0.6% 31
1932	39.9% 1,704	58.8% 2,509	1.3% 55
1928	67.6% 2,675	32.4% 1,284
1924	36.8% 695	57.0% 1,078	6.2% 117
1920	41.9% 955	56.4% 1,286	1.8% 41
1916	34.2% 460	63.2% 850	2.5% 34
1912	10.6% 108	68.3% 696	21.1% 215

show v t Municipalities and communities of Roanoke County, Virginia, United States
County seat: Salem
Town	Vinton
CDPs	Cave Spring Glenvar Hollins‡
Unincorporated communities	Bent Mountain Bonsack Bradshaw‡ Catawba Hanging Rock Moomaw Riverside Starkey Wabun Wright
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Virginia portal United States portal

show v t Commonwealth of Virginia
Richmond (capital)
Topics	Outline Administrative divisions Climate Colony Congressional districts Delegations Senators Representatives Environment Furniture Government Historic houses Historic Landmarks History First Families Slavery Law Music People Rights Rivers Scouting Slogan Sports teams State Fair State parks Symbols Tourist attractions Transportation Tribes	Seal of Virginia
Culture	Crime Demographics Economy Education Colleges and universities Media Newspapers Radio TV Politics
Regions	Allegheny Mountains Atlantic Coastal Plain Blue Ridge Chesapeake Bay Cumberland Mountains Delmarva Peninsula Eastern Shore Hampton Roads Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Northern Virginia Piedmont Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians Shenandoah Valley South Hampton Roads Southside Southwest Virginia Tennessee Valley Tidewater Tri-Cities Virginia Peninsula Western Virginia
Metro areas	Blacksburg-Christiansburg Bluefield Bristol Charlottesville Danville Harrisonburg Lynchburg Martinsville Richmond Roanoke Staunton-Waynesboro Norfolk-Virginia Beach Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Winchester
Counties	Accomack Albemarle Alleghany Amelia Amherst Appomattox Arlington Augusta Bath Bedford Bland Botetourt Brunswick Buchanan Buckingham Campbell Caroline Carroll Charles City Charlotte Chesterfield Clarke Craig Culpeper Cumberland Dickenson Dinwiddie Essex Fairfax Fauquier Floyd Fluvanna Franklin Frederick Giles Gloucester Goochland Grayson Greene Greensville Halifax Hanover Henrico Henry Highland Isle of Wight James City King and Queen King George King William Lancaster Lee Loudoun Louisa Lunenburg Madison Mathews Mecklenburg Middlesex Montgomery Nelson New Kent Northampton Northumberland Nottoway Orange Page Patrick Pittsylvania Powhatan Prince Edward Prince George Prince William Pulaski Rappahannock Richmond Roanoke Rockbridge Rockingham Russell Scott Shenandoah Smyth Southampton Spotsylvania Stafford Surry Sussex Tazewell Warren Washington Westmoreland Wise Wythe York
Independent cities	Alexandria Bristol Buena Vista Charlottesville Chesapeake Colonial Heights Covington Danville Emporia Fairfax Falls Church Franklin Fredericksburg Galax Hampton Harrisonburg Hopewell Lexington Lynchburg Manassas Manassas Park Martinsville Newport News Norfolk Norton Petersburg Poquoson Portsmouth Radford Richmond Roanoke Salem Staunton Suffolk Virginia Beach Waynesboro Williamsburg Winchester
Virginia portal

show Authority control
General	ISNI 1 VIAF 1 WorldCat
National libraries	United States
Other	National Archives (US)