Roanoke city: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Roanoke city center on a median $55,378 (about the same as Roanoke city median $55,378; 1.7× below Virginia median $93,170), with homes at a median value of $190,500. The surrounding county supports 65,679 jobs (avg $62,732).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $55,378 — below the Virginia median ($92,968). Poverty rate 19.1% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $46,940 |
|---|---|
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $2,783,557 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $59,300 (vs Virginia $92,983) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Median Household Income | $55,378 (vs Virginia $92,968) |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 — county FIPS · Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 6.6% — above the U.S. average of ~4%.
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 65,679 |
|---|---|
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $4,120,119,965 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $62,732 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 65,679 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $4,120,119,965 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $62,732 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 3,981,130 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% (vs Virginia 2.9%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages) · BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Refreshed 2026-05-03
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 3,143 |
|---|---|
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 65,103 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 3,518,957 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 33 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 40 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 8 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 24 |
| Local Businesses · Department Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 23 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 21 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 5 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 133 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 96 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 7 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 23 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
| Total Snap Stores | 179 |
|---|
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $733,891,478 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 7,338.11 (vs Virginia $14,580) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 100,011 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
Sources: USAspending API