1st Advantage MortgageRoanoke County households have a median income of $83,709 and median rent of $1,224 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Roanoke County, VA: the basics
- What Roanoke County households earn
- Work, industries and travel time in Roanoke County
- Renting and owning in Roanoke County
- Towns and communities in Roanoke County
- How Roanoke County compares with nearby counties
- Room for a loan payment in Roanoke County
- More Roanoke County figures
- What the numbers mean for Roanoke County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Roanoke County
- Checklist for Roanoke County applicants
- More guides for Roanoke County
- Frequently asked questions
Roanoke County, VA: the basics
Roughly 97,023 residents live in Roanoke County, Virginia, 22nd by population among the state's 133 counties and county equivalents. It covers 251 square miles of land, or about 387 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Roanoke, VA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Cave Spring is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 25,742 people (27% of the county total).
What Roanoke County households earn
Half of Roanoke County households take in less than $83,709 a year and half take in more, 10% below the Virginia median of $93,170. Only 42 Virginia counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Roanoke County | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.6% | +0.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.8% | +5.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.5% | +0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.1% | -6.5 pts |
About 19% of households earn under $35,000, while 41% clear $100,000. 7.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.445 here. None of these numbers decides a Roanoke County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Roanoke County
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 12%. Education and health care stands out: 28% of workers here, versus 22% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.8% in Roanoke County. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 15% work from home. Households without a car make up 4.4% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Sector | Roanoke County | Compared with Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.5% | +5.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.7% | -5.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | +0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.6% | +2.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.2% | -0.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Renting and owning in Roanoke County
Renters in Roanoke County pay a median of $1,224 a month, 22% below the Virginia figure of $1,579. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 42% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $286,000, about 3.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 76%. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Roanoke County | Virginia | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,224/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $286,000 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.8% | 4.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 6% | 9% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Towns and communities in Roanoke County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Roanoke County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 51,724 residents, leaving about 47% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $87,539 at the median in Cave Spring, $49,083 in Glenvar. Median rent ranges from $992 in Vinton to $1,285 in Cave Spring. Live in one of these Roanoke County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cave Spring | CDP | 25,742 | $87,539 | $1,285 | 12 mi |
| Hollins | CDP | 17,097 | $77,456 | $1,193 | 13 mi |
| Vinton | town | 8,056 | $65,445 | $992 | 17 mi |
| Glenvar | CDP | 829 | $49,083 | $1,036 | 5 mi |
How Roanoke County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 8 to 25 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. None of the six report a higher median household income than Roanoke County; Montgomery County is highest at $72,715 and Roanoke city lowest at $55,378. Some neighbors are in West Virginia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Roanoke County resident follows Virginia rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke County | - | $83,709 | $1,224/mo | 76% |
| Salem city, VA | 8 mi | $66,725 | $1,133/mo | 63% |
| Craig County, VA | 10 mi | $69,057 | $713/mo | 84% |
| Roanoke city, VA | 13 mi | $55,378 | $996/mo | 52% |
| Montgomery County, VA | 15 mi | $72,715 | $1,240/mo | 55% |
| Radford city, VA | 25 mi | $57,348 | $1,033/mo | 42% |
| Monroe County, WV | 25 mi | $56,750 | $690/mo | 87% |
Room for a loan payment in Roanoke County
Roanoke County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $6,976 a month: gross income for a household at the Roanoke County median
- Housing at the median rent of $1,224 uses 18%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,287 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 43% cap, $3,000 total minus rent leaves $1,776
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
More Roanoke County figures
College graduates make up 37% of the adult population. 3.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Roanoke County | All of Virginia | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 37.1% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.5% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.4% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.3% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.8% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Roanoke County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 50.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
What the numbers mean for Roanoke County borrowers
Based on the Roanoke County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Higher earners. 41% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Consolidating cards in Roanoke County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Lender oversight for Roanoke County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Roanoke County resident can confirm its license with the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Roanoke County applicants
Quick steps for Roanoke County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Roanoke County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Roanoke County-area credit union.
- Verify the Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Roanoke County
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Roanoke County a high-income county?
Its $83,709 median ranks 43rd of 133 Virginia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Roanoke County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,224 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Roanoke County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 76% of Roanoke County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Cave Spring?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Roanoke County, such as Hollins, Vinton, Glenvar.
Can Roanoke County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Virginia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.