About Roanoke County
A Brief History
The origins of the Roanoke Valley and the formation of the County of Roanoke.
Quality of Life
Roanoke County's Department of Economic Development site hosts information about quality of life measures that make Roanoke County a great place to live and raise a family.
Roanoke County Schools
With an Education Quotient of 95 out of 100, Roanoke County schools ranked in the top 5 percent in the nation in 2003 by Expansion Management Magazine.
Economic Development
A good move for more than just your business, Roanoke County's Department of Economic Development hosts a variety of information about business and life in Roanoke County.
County Capital Projects
Roanoke County's capital projects are a reflection of our commitment to providing citizens quality public service and protection that creates a high standard of life through the County.
Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge, the Roanoke County of today is the product of a long and varied history. The land itself was carved out of an ancient mountain range which left a great basin of fertile ground at the foot of Appalachia. In time, the region attracted herds of game and with them, the valley’s first residents. The Native Americans who settled what was to become the Roanoke Valley created an agriculture-based society along a winding river. These early settlers created a currency, ‘rawrenoc’, smoothed shells from which the word Roanoke is likely derived.
The first European settlers ventured into the valley around 1740; they were primarily Scotch-Irish immigrants, a hearty lot who pushed the boundaries of the western frontier and often clashed with both the natives and the English settlers who claimed the land as their own.
The population of Western Virginia, especially Botetourt County, continued to grow in the years following the American Revolution, burgeoned by an influx of German immigrants who followed the Great Road west.
In 1802, the Town of Salem was founded along this road. Sustained at first by westward travelers, the town was officially incorporated by the General Assembly in 1836.
Two years later, in 1838, Roanoke County was carved out of portions of Botetourt and Montgomery Counties; Salem became the county seat.
The arrival of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad in 1852, the decision to locate Norfolk and Western Railroad headquarters in the valley, and the accompanying birth of Roanoke City and the Town of Vinton in 1884 gradually changed the character of Roanoke County from rural and agrarian to suburban, industrial, and commercial.
The latter half of the 20th century saw the effects of this transition - rapid population growth, residential and corporate expansion, and with it, a demand for increased services which expanded the scope and mission of county government.
In order to meet the demands of a changing community, Roanoke County was chartered by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1986, effectively granting the county much of the legal flexibility generally afforded to city governments.
Today, Roanoke County remains dedicated to promoting a high quality of life and ample opportunity for over 90,000 residents. Maintaining excellent schools, ensuring effective public safety, and promoting competitive economic development remain top priorities for the county. Adaptive administration, regional cooperation, and public-private partnerships are leading the way.&n