Roanoke County
VA · Pop. 96,793 · Mixed County
Roanoke County sits in Virginia across 251 square miles, home to 96,793 people at 385.6 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, tomatoes. A median home price of $267,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.88% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F and average winter lows of 29.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Lewisgale Medical Center is 9.9 miles away, though without an in-county 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 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.88% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- The nearest hospital, Lewisgale Medical Center, is 9.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 385.6 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Roanoke County, VA is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 53/100
- Median home price
- $267k
- Property tax
- 0.88%
- Growing season
- 202 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.8"
- Broadband
- 96.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Lewisgale Medical Center, 9.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Roanoke County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Roanoke County?
- Roanoke County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F, and average winter lows of 29.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, tomatoes.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $267,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.88%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lewisgale Medical Center is 9.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Virginia
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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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