The Geography of Aging
In 2000, about 11 percent of Virginians were 65 or older. By 2030, that number could nearly double, according to some projections. The Old Dominion is growing older, and you can see it happen on our interactive map of the state. Find aging data on 134 counties and cities, and move the map through time to see which localities are aging fastest. You can also see Virginia in the context of the U.S., and see how each state spends its precious Medicaid dollars. The map is part of The Roanoke Times' ongoing series called Age of Uncertainty, about our aging communties, and the challenges that face them.
The Roanoke metro area economy grew by 5.5 percent between 2001 and 2005, as measured by its gross domestic product. That's the measure in dollars of the market value of goods and services produced in a certain geographic area. That growth to $10.3 billion in 2005 made it the 295th fastest growing economy out of 363 metro areas. The New River Valley GDP grew by 5.7 percent for a rank of 288. See data and rankings for all U.S. metro areas now in the DataSphere.
The DataSphere column
Data in the News
- The Roanoke Times' Age of Uncertainty series
- In these times of economic uncertainty, what's at stake in the Roanoke and New River valleys?
- Roanoke City Councilman Alfred Dowe resigns over travel expenses
- Trophy freshwater fish: The James is still king
- Virginia's toxin levels higher than reported; Radford Arsenal is state's biggest polluter
- Digging up the past at Roanoke's Springwood Burial Park
- City population growth: Roanoke not taking leave of its census
Primary Sources
- Search warrant affadavit for the Jeep believed involved in Roanoke jogger hit-and-run
- Judge's ruling that search of FloydFest guest was illegal
- Michael Vick's indictment on dogfighting charges
- The Virginia Tech shootings panel report
- Henry County sheriff's department indictments
- Former Henry County Sheriff Frank Cassell's plea agreement






Latest Datablog Comments
Jack wrote: "Your data blogs are excellent. I reviewed the comm..."
Matt wrote: "Hey Jack, why wouldn't I post it? In this business..."
Jack wrote: "Matt: First I am impressed that you posted my p..."