Roanoke city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Serious · 68.3 | 97,171 people · 18th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Roanoke city, VA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 68.3 — 474th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Virginia, it ranks 18th of 133 counties. It scores higher than all 2 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Roanoke city's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 75.6 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 75.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 74
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 71
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 66
Homeownership Rate 99
Legal Distress 69.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 69
Consumer Credit Distress 68.4
Debt in Collections 79
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 78
Credit Card Delinquency 68
Uninsured Rate 62
Subprime Credit Population 80
Structural Poverty 66.4
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 80
Income vs. State Median 91
Child Poverty Rate 83
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 59
Economic Vitality 52.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 94
Business Formation Rate 24
House Price Change (YoY) 36

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Roanoke city
Roanoke city, VA 68.3 Serious —
Salem city, VA 47.0 Normal -21.3
Roanoke County, VA 34.6 Healthy -33.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Roanoke city
Marion County, OH 68.2 Serious -0.0
Camden County, GA 68.2 Serious -0.1
Monroe County, PA 68.2 Serious -0.1
Atascosa County, TX 68.4 Serious +0.1
Cabell County, WV 68.2 Serious -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Roanoke city as a CSV file.

Find Help in Roanoke city

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Roanoke city.

COMMONWEALTH CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Roanoke
804-285-5986 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling
SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT
Roanoke
540-345-1184 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling
TOTAL ACTION FOR PROGRESS IN ROANOKE VA
Roanoke
540-777-4673 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in Virginia →

Find an Attorney

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-552-7977

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Roanoke city residents at no cost.

Virginia Legal Aid Society 540-342-3900
Legal Aid Justice Center 434-977-0553
Legal Services of Northern Virginia 703-778-6800
Virginia Poverty Law Center 804-782-9430
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society 804-648-1012
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (866) 534-5243
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (757) 827-5078
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. (888) 201-2772

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Virginia →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Roanoke city, Virginia?

    Roanoke city has a County Distress Index score of 68.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 474th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 18th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Roanoke city?

    The primary driver of distress in Roanoke city is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 75.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Roanoke city compare to neighboring counties?

    Roanoke city (68.3) can be compared to its 2 neighboring counties: Salem city, VA (47.0); Roanoke County, VA (34.6).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Serious zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Roanoke city's score of 68.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

  • What data sources power Roanoke city's CDI score?

    Roanoke city's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Roanoke city?

    Roanoke city, Virginia has a population of approximately 97,171 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.