Roanoke County, Virginia

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.[4]

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
Country United States
State Virginia
FoundedMarch 30, 1838
Named forRoanoke River
SeatSalem
Largest townVinton
Area
 • Total251 sq mi (650 km2)
 • Land251 sq mi (650 km2)
 • Water0.7 sq mi (2 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total92,376
 • Estimate 
(2018)[1]
94,073
 • Density370/sq mi (140/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts6th, 9th
Websitewww.roanokecountyva.gov
[2]

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

Nationally Protected Areas

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18405,499—
18508,47754.2%
18608,048−5.1%
18709,35016.2%
188013,10540.2%
189030,101129.7%
190015,837−47.4%
191019,62323.9%
192022,39514.1%
193035,28957.6%
194042,89721.6%
195041,486−3.3%
196061,69348.7%
197067,3399.2%
198072,9458.3%
199079,3328.8%
200085,7788.1%
201092,3767.7%
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 is a strongly Republican county in Presidential elections: no Democrat has gained a plurality in the county since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. 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.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[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

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

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

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

See also

References
  1. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Archived from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  2. Jack, Pp. 6-7
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  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.
  6. Jack, P. 8
  7. Jack, P. 43
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. "Board of Supervisors". Roanoke County, Virginia. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  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.
  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.

Bibliography

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