ROANOKE, Va. – Downtown Roanoke’s population has surged 300% since 2010, marking a significant transformation for the Virginia city’s urban core as it rebounds from pandemic-era challenges.
“People really have the desire to be in Roanoke because we have everything. We have hiking and the outdoors scene. We have a little microbrewery scene, as well as a vibrant downtown,” said Joya Garris, director of Marketing and Communications for Downtown Roanoke Inc.
The dramatic population increase reflects growing interest in downtown living, with recent development projects converting buildings into residential spaces. Twenty new businesses have opened in the past year, capitalizing on the area’s foot traffic…