Situated in the beautiful Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, the Roanoke Region of Virginia is a community of communities working together. The region is the largest metropolitan area in Western Virginia and home to diverse communities and more than 330,000 residents.

With unmatched cultural and outdoor opportunities and an abundance of strong industry clusters, the region’s residents represent a diversity of skills and interests. Detailed information about the region and its communities is provided throughout this section.

Located along Interstates 81 and 64, the region is equidistant from New York and Atlanta; 230 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., and 250 miles west of the Port of Hampton Roads.

Geography and Climate 

  • Land area: 1,990 square miles
  • Elevation: 1,149 feet
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Average January low: 27.2 F
  • Average July high: 87.0 F
  • Average annual rainfall: 41.0 inches

Affordable 

Best for Business 

  • Wide range of skill sets, with new job seekers entering the market annually
  • Nationally recognized training programs and facilities

Acclaimed Education 

  • Seven public school systems offering a variety of nationally recognized educational programs
  • High concentration of higher education institutions, with 25 colleges and universities within a 60-mile radius
  • Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine training physicians to be thought leaders and transform community health care
  • Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC conducting academic biomedical research on diseases

Convenient 

  • Located along Interstates 81 and 64 and several major four lane highways
  • Equidistant from New York and Atlanta
  • Accessible to two-thirds of U.S. population in one day’s shipping time
  • Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is served by 4 airlines with non-stop service to 8 cities
  • Rail service by Norfolk Southern and CSX and Amtrak passenger service to New York City and Chicago
  • More than 70 trucking lines serve the Roanoke Region with local, state, and interstate freight service
  • Region is considered a foreign trade zone

Livability

  • Diverse arts and cultural community
  • Offers nationally recognized outdoor recreation including cycling, fishing, water sports, hiking, camping, sports leagues, and clubs
  • Home to a baseball team, and NCAA sports programs including Virginia Tech football and basketball
  • Attractions include Smith Mountain Lake, the Appalachian Trail, and the Blue Ridge Parkway