Southwest County

  Roanoke County is a county located in the U.S. state of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area and located within the Roanoke Region of Virginia^[1]. As of the 2000 census, the population was 85,778. The 2005 census estimate placed the population at 88,172. The independent cities of Roanoke and Salem (incorporated as such in 1884 and 1968 respectively) are located within the boundaries of Roanoke County, but are not a part of the county. The incorporated town of Vinton is the only incorporated municipality within the county. While significant areas of the county are rural and mountainous, most residents live in suburbs near Roanoke and Salem in the Roanoke Valley.

  History

The county was formed in 1838 from the southern part of Botetourt County. It was named for the Roanoke River. Additional territory was transferred to Roanoke County from Montgomery County in 1845. Salem was originally the county seat. When Salem became an independent city, by agreement with the county the Roanoke County Courthouse remained in Salem and the two localities share a jail. However, the County Administrative Offices were moved to the Cave Spring District. Though the County Administrative Offices are in the Cave Spring District, the County Courthouse is still located in Salem. Thus, Salem is still the County Seat for Roanoke County. While this point could be argued, it is incorrect to list Cave Spring as the County Seat.