Roanoke city
VA · Pop. 98,677 · Urban County
Roanoke city sits in Virginia across 43 square miles, home to 98,677 people at 2294.8 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The median home price is $181,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.01%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F and average winter lows of 29.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital is 1.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 202-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $181,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 1.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.6% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A poverty rate of 19.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- At 2294.8 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Roanoke city, VA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 75/100
- Median home price
- $181k
- Property tax
- 1.01%
- Growing season
- 202 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.3"
- Broadband
- 96.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital, 1.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Roanoke city: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Roanoke city?
- Roanoke city is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F, and average winter lows of 29.1°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $181,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.01%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital is 1.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Roanoke city by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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