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Roanoke County, Virginia

Roanoke County is a county located in the U.S. state of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 85,778. The 2005 census estimate placed the population at 88,172. 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 incorporated town of Vinton is the only incorporated municipality within the county. While significant areas of the county are rural and mountainous, most residents live in suburbs near Roanoke and Salem in the Roanoke Valley.

History

The county was formed in 1838 from the southern part of Botetourt County. It was named for the Roanoke River. Additional territory was transferred to Roanoke County from Montgomery County in 1845. Salem was originally the county seat. 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. Though the County Administrative Offices are in the Cave Spring District, the County Courthouse is still located in Salem. Thus, Salem is still the County Seat for Roanoke County. While this point could be argued, it is incorrect to list Cave Spring as the County Seat.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 251 square miles (650 km²), of which, 251 square miles (650 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (0 km²) of it (0.07%) is water.

Districts

The county is divided into five Supervisory Districts: Catawba, Cave Spring, Hollins, Vinton, and Windsor Hills. Vinton is an incorporated town with an elected town council, but is administratively a part of the County. Salem is an independent city and is no longer administratively part of the County.

There are five high schools located in Roanoke County. They are Cave Spring High School, Glenvar High School, Hidden Valley High School, Northside High School, and William Byrd High School.

Hollins University, a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, is located in Northern Roanoke County, near the Botetourt County border.

Notable sports figures

Noted Sports figures from Roanoke County include Tiki Barber, Ronde Barber, and J.J. Redick.

Adjacent counties and cities

Botetourt County, Virginia - northeast

Bedford County, Virginia - east

Franklin County, Virginia - southeast

Floyd County, Virginia - south-southwest

Montgomery County, Virginia - west

Craig County, Virginia - northwest

Salem, Virginia - center (enclave)

Roanoke, Virginia - center (enclave)

National protected areas

Blue Ridge Parkway (part)

Jefferson National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the census 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.

Towns

Vinton

Unincorporated communities

Wright

References

External links

County of Roanoke Homepage

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