Population 55,208 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Roane County
Household size in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | Knoxville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.37 | 2.40 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.46 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 2.55 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.44 | 2.47 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | +0.06 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Roane County has 2.44 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. The Knoxville area as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.37, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | Knoxville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.4 | 40.0 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.7 | 41.0 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.4 | 41.6 | 39.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.3 | 41.6 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.8 | +1.6 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.3, Roane County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 44.4, as it has nationally. Only nine of Tennessee's 95 counties are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | Knoxville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.6% | 9.6% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 9.4% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.4% | 9.8% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.0% | 9.4% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in twelve households in Roane County (9.0%), below the national share of 11.6%. That is in line with the rest of the Knoxville area. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.6 points, as it has nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Roane County
Renters in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | Knoxville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.1% | 28.6% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.2% | 31.2% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.8% | 31.1% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.9% | 29.6% | 33.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +1.0 pts | +2.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Roane County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly half of owners (47.7%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 1.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | Knoxville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.4% | 9.9% | 11.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.2% | 11.3% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 18.3% | 11.7% | 11.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.9% | 9.9% | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −0.0 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Roane County is close to the national rate: 10.9% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Vacancy has edged down 0.5 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | Knoxville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1980 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1982 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1985 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Roane County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are older than in the wider Knoxville area, where the median home dates to 1985. The median year built has moved up from 1976 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the north has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | Knoxville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $622 | $707 | $761 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $752 | $787 | $837 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $780 | $882 | $961 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $867 | $1,212 | $1,286 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$245 | +$505 | +$526 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Roane County costs $867 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $245 a month from 2006–10, a 39% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 25.6% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Roane County
Bachelor's degrees in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | Knoxville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.1% | 26.7% | 23.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.1% | 27.7% | 25.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.8% | 30.0% | 27.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.0% | 33.5% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +6.8 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Roane County: 22.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.9 points, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the west.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | Knoxville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.5% | 84.6% | 83.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.0% | 86.9% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.8% | 88.9% | 87.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.9% | 90.9% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.4 pts | +6.3 pts | +6.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Roane County is close to the national rate: 89.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 8.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | Knoxville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.5% | 7.0% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.9% | 8.2% | 9.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 4.9% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 3.6% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.6 pts | −3.4 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Roane County is close to the national rate: 4.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the Knoxville area as a whole (3.6%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.6 points, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Roane County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roane County | 2.44 | 46.3 | 9.0% | 21.9% | 10.9% | 1981 | $867 | 22.0% | 89.9% | 4.9% |
| Loudon County | 2.46 | 48.6 | 7.6% | 19.7% | 9.5% | 1989 | $1,058 | 29.3% | 89.5% | 2.7% |
| Cumberland County | 2.26 | 51.4 | 7.9% | 19.8% | 10.6% | 1993 | $965 | 18.3% | 90.7% | 4.9% |
| Knox County | 2.46 | 38.8 | 9.4% | 34.8% | 8.5% | 1985 | $1,401 | 41.4% | 92.2% | 3.4% |
| Blount County | 2.51 | 44.1 | 8.4% | 23.0% | 10.2% | 1987 | $1,111 | 28.9% | 91.3% | 3.4% |
| Sevier County | 2.51 | 43.2 | 10.5% | 29.3% | 22.0% | 1995 | $1,131 | 22.3% | 88.1% | 3.3% |
| Van Buren County | 2.49 | 45.2 | 7.4% | 13.6% | 12.0% | 1978 | $701 | 13.7% | 86.3% | 2.3% |
| White County | 2.51 | 43.3 | 9.5% | 23.1% | 9.1% | 1983 | $831 | 14.8% | 84.4% | 6.1% |
| DeKalb County | 2.44 | 41.7 | 9.8% | 27.4% | 12.6% | 1987 | $893 | 20.7% | 84.1% | 5.9% |
| Cocke County | 2.39 | 44.3 | 15.3% | 25.5% | 13.1% | 1985 | $830 | 10.9% | 84.6% | 3.7% |
| Cannon County | 2.58 | 41.8 | 12.7% | 21.6% | 10.8% | 1988 | $1,079 | 17.3% | 85.7% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Washington County, VT · Bradford County, PA · Branch County, MI · Bristol County, RI · Brown County, OH · Carson City, NV · Chisago County, MN · Crawford County, AR · Washington County, NY · Washington County, OH
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Roane County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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