Roanoke Metropolitan Area

The Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area is a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in Virginia as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Roanoke MSA is sometimes referred to as the Roanoke Valley, even though the Roanoke MSA occupies a larger area than the Roanoke Valley. It is geographically similar to the area known as the Roanoke Region of Virginia, but while the latter includes Alleghany County, the former does not. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 288,309 (though a July 1, 2009 estimate placed the population at 300,399).

Figures through 2000 do not include Franklin County (50,345 est. 2005 population) and Craig County (5,154 est. 2005 population). The Census Bureau has since added them to the Roanoke MSA, which is the fourth largest in Virginia (behind Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and the Greater Richmond area), and the largest in the western half of the state. Its current rank is 201 among all 363 MSAs. The Roanoke, VA MSA population changed from 288,471 in 2000 to 298,694 in 2008, a 3.54 percent change. The population is projected to be 324,882 in 2020, a 12.62 percent change between 2000 and 2020.

Note: Since a state constitutional change in 1871, all cities in Virginia are independent cities that are not located in any county. The OMB considers these independent cities to be county-equivalents for the purpose of defining MSAs in Virginia.

Four counties and two independent cities are included in the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census of 2000, there were 288,309 people, 119,366 households, and 80,009 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 84.96% White, 12.21% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.

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