Community
Community

Find Your Niche in the Roanoke Region

From the northern Alleghany Highlands to the southern reaches of Franklin County, all communities form the Roanoke Region. A unique relationship between the communities creates a place that is both small and friendly and a bustling urban center. Each community welcomes you to its neighborhoods, offering attractive amenities and friendly conversations.

Roanoke City | Roanoke County | Franklin County | Botetourt County | Salem | Alleghany Couty | Vinton | Covington

Roanoke City

ESTABLISHED: 1884 • POPULATION (2020): 100,011

Roanoke is a seven-time All-American City, One of America’s Most Livable Communities, and top Digital City. The area offers stunning natural beauty, exceptional amenities, and unparalleled livability.

Whether you’re looking to visit or relocate, Roanoke has what you want. The city has a healthy local economy, a vibrant greater downtown, strong neighborhoods, and offers quality services to its citizens and visitors.


Roanoke County

ESTABLISHED: 1838 • POPULATION (2020): 96,929

Roanoke County was carved out of an ancient mountain range that left a basin of fertile ground at the foot of Appalachia. Roanoke County remains dedicated to promoting a high quality of life and ample opportunity for residents.

Maintaining excellent schools, ensuring effective public safety, and promoting competitive economic development are top priorities for the county. Adaptive administration, regional cooperation, and public-private partnerships are leading the way.


Franklin County

ESTABLISHED: 1785 • POPULATION (2020): 54,477

Franklin County is home to a diverse selection of attractions, from outdoor adventures like boating, camping, and hiking to cultural and historic experiences such as the Blue Ridge Institute at Ferrum College or live music at one of the Crooked Road music venues.

Enjoy the scenic corners of our community where every side road opens new vistas, views, and quiet moments.


Botetourt County

ESTABLISHED: 1770 • POPULATION (2020): 33,596

Entering the Roanoke Region from the North, you will find yourself in Botetourt County, one of Virginia’s most scenic and historically significant counties. Botetourt County is filled with rolling hills, the Appalachian Trail, scenic rivers and streams, historic towns, and beautiful countryside.

Botetourt borders the Blue Ridge Parkway and is home to the James River. The combination of rivers, mountains, scenic countryside, and historic towns creates a vacation experience that is second to none.


Salem

ESTABLISHED: 1802 • POPULATION (2020): 25,346

Founded in 1802 and situated between Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains on the Roanoke River, Salem displays all the beauty and grandeur the region has to offer. For more than two centuries, the City of Salem has been a superb place to live, retaining its quaint, small-town feel while providing residents with some of the highest quality schools, facilities and services in Virginia.


Alleghany County

ESTABLISHED: 1822 • POPULATION (2020): 15,223

Alleghany County is located along Interstate 64 in the western mountains of Virginia. The area offers quality educational facilities, business infrastructure and incentives, and a reliable workforce. Blessed by mountains, rivers, and streams, the Alleghany Highlands is rich with hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor opportunities, including golf.

Among its array of interesting places are the historic Humpback Bridge, Falling Spring Falls, Jackson River Scene Scenic Trail, Lake Moomaw, and Douthat State Park. A heritage in arts and crafts and railroad history attracts many to the area year-round.


Vinton

ESTABLISHED: 1884 • POPULATION (2018): 8,096

The Town of Vinton is in Roanoke County and is bordered on its western and northern limits by the City of Roanoke. Vinton provides small-town character with urban services and amenities. The small-town atmosphere is characterized by small locally and regionally owned businesses and moderately priced homes.

Views of the mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway abound. Vinton represents the ideal type of community, small enough to provide a feeling of belonging yet progressive enough to provide the facilities, services, and conveniences.


Covington

ESTABLISHED: 1817 • POPULATION (2020): 5,737

Located at the confluence of the Jackson River and Dunlap Creek, the City of Covington serves as the county seat for Alleghany County. The Jackson River runs through downtown providing immediate access to one of Virginia’s finest trophy trout fisheries.

Historic buildings and places are prevalent throughout Covington, including the Persinger House, Rosedale Historic District, Luke Mountain Historic District, and the C&O Depot. A quaint downtown is the hub of cultural and outdoor exploration in Alleghany County.

Learn More about the Roanoke Region of Virginia