Population 13,786 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Roane County
Household size in Roane County
| Period | Roane County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.50 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.53 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.48 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.02 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Roane County run small, averaging 2.48 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. That is in line with the rest of West Virginia.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.1 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 44.1 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.0 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.0 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.0, Roane County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 43.1 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.5% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Roane County: 7.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 1.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Roane County has a lower share of single-parent households than the great majority of West Virginia counties.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.9% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.2% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.7% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.1% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Roane County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About two-thirds of owners (65.0%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 2.7 points since 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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.9% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.4% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 24.7% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.1% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 21.1% of the housing in Roane County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1970 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Roane County run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1975 against 1980. The median year built has moved up from 1970 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center 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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $474 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $487 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $562 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $623 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$149 | +$327 | +$606 |
Rent in Roane County runs $623 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $149 a month since 2006–10, up 31%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 26.8% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the center and lowest in the southwest.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.4% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.0% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Roane County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 15.0%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.8 points, mirroring the country.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.0% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 76.9% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 78.9% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.5% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.5 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in six adults in Roane County never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 7.5 points, as it has nationally. Roane County has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five West Virginia counties.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.5% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Roane County: 8.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Roane County has higher unemployment than the great majority of West Virginia counties. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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 | 2.48 | 47.0 | 7.5% | 21.1% | 21.1% | 1975 | $623 | 15.0% | 84.5% | 8.8% |
| Calhoun County | 2.40 | 49.2 | 7.6% | 12.9% | 18.5% | 1976 | $460 | 9.4% | 83.1% | 7.9% |
| Jackson County | 2.40 | 42.8 | 7.7% | 21.4% | 10.5% | 1980 | $798 | 19.8% | 89.0% | 5.2% |
| Braxton County | 2.56 | 47.1 | 6.3% | 23.2% | 21.6% | 1977 | $605 | 14.0% | 84.6% | 10.2% |
| Mason County | 2.40 | 45.2 | 6.7% | 18.2% | 15.4% | 1979 | $793 | 16.2% | 87.1% | 4.0% |
| Gallia County | 2.49 | 41.7 | 10.6% | 25.3% | 14.3% | 1982 | $833 | 21.0% | 87.4% | 3.7% |
| Randolph County | 2.40 | 45.0 | 8.3% | 25.0% | 18.5% | 1975 | $831 | 20.2% | 88.6% | 7.6% |
| Scioto County | 2.45 | 41.1 | 11.6% | 31.6% | 13.2% | 1970 | $835 | 18.3% | 88.7% | 6.1% |
| Pendleton County | 2.53 | 50.5 | 5.8% | 15.1% | 35.5% | 1977 | $759 | 18.3% | 89.5% | 7.7% |
| Adams County | 2.70 | 43.0 | 11.2% | 28.3% | 18.8% | 1981 | $784 | 14.9% | 85.2% | 6.6% |
| Mason County | 2.40 | 43.2 | 11.7% | 33.9% | 12.7% | 1979 | $757 | 19.9% | 86.4% | 5.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Oregon County, MO · Ottawa County, KS · Otoe County, NE · Otero County, CO · Oscoda County, MI · Osceola County, MI · Osceola County, IA · Osage County, MO · Osage County, KS · Orocovis Municipio, PR
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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