Roanoke city, VA

County

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2023 Population
98,677
0.54% 1-year decline
US Senator
Mark Warner
Democratic Party
US Senator
Tim Kaine
Democratic Party
2023 Median Age
38
0.262% 1-year decrease
2023 Poverty Rate
19.7%
2.92% 1-year increase
2023 Median Household Income
$52,671
2.23% 1-year growth
2023 Median Property Value
$180,500
11.4% 1-year growth
2023 Employed Population
46,183
1.73% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, Roanoke city, VA had a population of 98.7k people with a median age of 38 and a median household income of $52,671. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Roanoke city, VA declined from 99,213 to 98,677, a −0.54% decrease and its median household income grew from $51,523 to $52,671, a 2.23% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke city, VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (55.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (28.5%), Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) (3.65%), Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (3.14%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.13%).

None of the households in Roanoke city, VA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.2% of the residents in Roanoke city, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Roanoke city, VA are Virginia Western Community College (1,136 degrees awarded in 2023) and Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (41 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Roanoke city, VA was $180,500, and the homeownership rate was 51.7%.

Most people in Roanoke city, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Roanoke city, VA was 2 cars per household.

Roanoke city, VA borders Roanoke County, VA and Salem city, VA.

Photo by Donnie Nunley
United StatesVirginiaRoanoke, VA

Population & Diversity

Roanoke city, VA is home to a population of 98.7k people, from which 95.2% are citizens. As of 2023, 7.41% of Roanoke city, VA residents were born outside of the country (7.31k people).

In 2023, there were 1.95 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (54.8k people) in Roanoke city, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.6k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.2%
2023 Citizenship
95.5%
2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 95.2% of Roanoke city, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Roanoke city, VA was 95.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Roanoke city, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Roanoke city, VA
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    54.8k ± 380
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    28.1k ± 565
  3. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
    3.6k ± 584
8.57%
Hispanic Population
8.46k people

In 2023, there were 1.95 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (54.8k people) in Roanoke city, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 28.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.6k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

8.57% of the people in Roanoke city, VA are hispanic (8.46k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Roanoke city, VA as a share of the total population.

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Foreign-Born Population

7.41%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
7.31k people
6.91%
2022 Foreign-Born Population
6.85k people

As of 2023, 7.41% of Roanoke city, VA residents (7.31k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Roanoke city, VA was 6.91%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Roanoke city, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    1,865 ± 263
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    1,223 ± 286
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    1,118 ± 270

Roanoke city, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.52 times greater than any other conflict.

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Economy

The economy of Roanoke city, VA employs 46.2k people. In 2023, the largest industries in Roanoke city, VA were Health Care & Social Assistance (9,191 people), Retail Trade (5,570 people), and Manufacturing (4,732 people), and the highest paying industries were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($71,422), Utilities ($68,402), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($67,698).

Employment

Occupations

46.2k
2023 Value
± 1,902
−1.73%
1 Year decline
± 5.85%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Roanoke city, VA declined at a rate of −1.73%, from 47k employees to 46.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Roanoke city, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,349 people), Sales & Related Occupations (4,432 people), and Management Occupations (3,709 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Roanoke city, VA.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

46.2k
2023 Value
± 1,902
−1.73%
1 Year decline
± 5.85%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Roanoke city, VA declined at a rate of −1.73%, from 47k employees to 46.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Roanoke city, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,191 people), Retail Trade (5,570 people), and Manufacturing (4,732 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Roanoke city, VA, though some of these residents may live in Roanoke city, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$42,018
Median earning men ± $1,927
$37,801
Median earning women ± $1,873

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($59,882), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($58,789), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($50,293).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Public Administration ($48,986), Manufacturing ($46,169), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($45,954).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.
Y-Axis
2.48%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.1M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments
  1. 234
    Retail Trade
  2. 208
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  3. 177
    Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll
  1. $1.02M
    Health Care and Social Assistance
  2. $377k
    Management of Companies and Enterprises
  3. $285k
    Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Roanoke city, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.
2024 Election Results
  1. Kamala Harris (51.8%)
    Democratic Party
  2. Donald J. Trump (46.1%)
    Republican Party
  3. Other (0.905%)
    Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.
Mark Warner
Senator from Virginia2
Assumed office on January 3, 2009
Tim Kaine
Senator from Virginia1
Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Virginia

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Roanoke city, VA awarded 1,177 degrees. The student population of Roanoke city, VA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 2,711 male students and 3,532 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Roanoke city, VA are White (850 and 72.8%), followed by Black or African American (136 and 11.6%), Hispanic or Latino (75 and 6.42%), and Two or More Races (47 and 4.02%).

The largest universities in Roanoke city, VA by number of degrees awarded are Virginia Western Community College (1,136 and 96.5%) and Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke (41 and 3.48%).

The most popular majors in Roanoke city, VA are Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities (113 and 9.6%), General Studies (77 and 6.54%), and Biological & Physical Sciences (69 and 5.86%).

The median tuition cost in Roanoke city, VA for a public four year colleges is $7,922 for in-state students and $19,557 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2019 in Roanoke city, VA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 27.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 32.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 6,243 (43.4% men and 56.6% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 6,243 students enrolled in Roanoke city, VA, 43.4% men and 56.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,248 records, of which 54.8% were women and 45.2% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Studies
    77 degrees awarded
  2. Biological & Physical Sciences
    69 degrees awarded
  3. General Business Administration & Management
    65 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Roanoke city, VA was General Studies with 77 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Roanoke city, VA according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Virginia Western Community College
    1,136 degrees awarded
  2. Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke
    41 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Virginia Western Community College with 1,136 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 455 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Roanoke city, VA, which is 0.63 times less than the 722 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 850 degrees mean that there were 6.25 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 136 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 2-year ($4,818) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($438) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,500) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.
Measure

In 2023, 0.988% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.986% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

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Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.
Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2023 were High School or Equivalent (1.72M), Bachelors Degree (1.5M), and Some college (1.37M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Roanoke city, VA was $180,500 in 2023, which is 0.595 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $162,000 to $180,500, a 11.4% increase. The homeownership rate in Roanoke city, VA is 51.7%, which is lower than the national average of 65%.

People in Roanoke city, VA have an average commute time of 19.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Roanoke city, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Roanoke city, VA is $52,671. In 2023, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Roanoke city, VA was Census Tract 29, Roanoke city, VA with a value of $113,979, followed by Census Tract 21, Roanoke city, VA and Census Tract 31, Roanoke city, VA, with respective values of $80,268 and $78,475.

In 2024, 18% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2024, the indicator declined 0.2%.

Housing

Property

$180,500
Median Property Value 2023
±$5,580
$22,452
Median Property Taxes
±$1,217

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Roanoke city, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Roanoke city, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

51.7%
Homeownership
2023
64.1%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2023

In 2023, 51.7% of the housing units in Roanoke city, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 52.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Roanoke city, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.
Race/Ethnicity
Highest Median Household Income (Total)
  1. Census Tract 29, Roanoke city, VA
  2. Census Tract 21, Roanoke city, VA
  3. Census Tract 31, Roanoke city, VA

In 2023, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Roanoke city, VA was Census Tract 29, Roanoke city, VA with a value of $113,979, followed by Census Tract 21, Roanoke city, VA and Census Tract 31, Roanoke city, VA, with respective values of $80,268 and $78,475.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Roanoke city, VA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$52,671
Median Household Income
± $2,367
43.4k
Number of Households
± 1,777

In 2023, the median household income of the 43.4k households in Roanoke city, VA grew to $52,671 from the previous year's value of $51,523.

The following chart displays the households in Roanoke city, VA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Roanoke city, VA is from Roanoke city, VA.
N/A Wage GINI in N/A
  1. N/A
  2. N/A

In N/A, the income inequality in N/A was N/A according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a N/A N/A from N/A to N/A, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat N/A even. The GINI for N/A was N/A than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed N/A evenly in N/A in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Roanoke city, VA across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023
  1. Drove Alone (76.2%)
  2. Worked At Home (10.7%)
  3. Carpooled (7.29%)

In 2023, 76.2% of workers in Roanoke city, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (10.7%) and those who carpooled to work (7.29%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

19.9 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Roanoke city, VA have a shorter commute time (19.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 0.823% of the workforce in Roanoke city, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Roanoke city, VA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Roanoke city, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Roanoke city, VA have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2024, 18% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2024, the indicator declined 0.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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Poverty & Diversity

19.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Roanoke city, VA (19.1k out of 96.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females < 5 and then Males 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Roanoke city, VA is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Children in Poverty

In 2024, 26.4% of the children was living in poverty in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2024, the indicator declined 3.9%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 382 in Roanoke city, VA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 280 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

90.4% of the population of Roanoke city, VA has health coverage, with 40.4% on employee plans, 24.7% on Medicaid, 13.7% on Medicare, 9.85% on non-group plans, and 1.84% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Roanoke city, VA see 907 patients per year on average, which represents a 15.4% increase from the previous year (786 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1305 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 240 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.1% were men and 52.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

907 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Roanoke city, VA

Primary care physicians in Roanoke city, VA see an average of 907 patients per year. This represents a 15.4% increase from the previous year (786 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Roanoke city, VA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24% under 18 years, 21.7% between 18 and 34 years, 37.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.1% were men and 52.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

9.57%
Uninsured
40.4%
Employer Coverage
24.7%
Medicaid
13.7%
Medicare
9.85%
Non-Group
1.84%
Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Roanoke city, VA declined by 1.51% from 9.71% to 9.57%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Roanoke city, VA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2024, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 83.1 in Roanoke city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Roanoke city, VA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2024, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 40.9% in Roanoke city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Roanoke city, VA.

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Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2024, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 9.61% in Roanoke city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Roanoke city, VA.

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