City of Roanoke, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Roanoke is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 99,111, down 0.9% since 2020. It covers about 43 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1852 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 99,111 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 99,903 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -0.8% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 20 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Roanoke is one of Virginia's 38 independent cities. In Virginia, an independent city is not part of any county; it runs its own local government, courts and schools.[1] Its founding date is recorded as 1852.[2] The name comes from Roanoke River.[2]
Population of Roanoke
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Roanoke at 99,111 in July 2025, down 0.9% from the April 2020 base of 100,017.[1] That made it 20th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 98th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 6,859 births and 7,682 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 823.[1] More people moved away to other parts of the United States than moved in. Net domestic migration was -2,778. Moves from abroad added 2,706.[1]
Geography
The City of Roanoke covers 42.5 square miles of land and 0.3 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 104th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 2,331 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 37.28° N, 79.96° W.[3]
The city borders Roanoke County and the City of Salem.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 8 named streams, 3 named summits, 4 lakes and reservoirs and 1 spring in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Roanoke in a county?
No. Roanoke is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Roanoke?
About 99,111 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Roanoke?
About 43 square miles of land, plus 0.3 square miles of water.
References
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Wikidata, Roanoke city, Virginia (open data, CC0) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files: Counties – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File (2024) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Domestic Names – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: roanokeva.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.