Biggest sources of immigrants to Roanoke
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February 9, 2021
neshom // Pixabay
Biggest sources of immigrants to Roanoke
Nearly 14% of the United States population is composed of immigrants. But in reality, the vast majority of Americans today are here because of relatives who immigrated from other countries some time in the last several hundred years.
And while the distinctive American culture and spirit is the result of blending many diverse cultures and histories, the United States has for centuries had an up-and-down relationship with immigration.
Each era of immigration has been met with reductive ideas and resistance, whether the backlash was directed toward the Chinese, Irish, Italians, or Mexicans. Immigration laws have targeted specific groups at various times, stoking intolerance and preventing people from truly joining American society. Over time, however, as laws changed to be more equitable and immigrants found their footings, we have reaped the rewards of innovation in business, music, art, literature, dance, food, societal norms, entertainment, and sports—all while realizing a greater understanding of and respect for different cultures, religions, and ideas.
Stacker compiled a list of the countries most immigrants to Roanoke come from, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Countries are ranked by highest number of foreign-born residents who lived in Roanoke as of 2019’s five-year estimates.
Keep reading to find out more about the immigrant community in your home city.
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Pascal Müller // Unsplash
#40. Laos
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 70
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 181,546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #42 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 70
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 181,546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #42 most common country of origin
2 / 40
Juan P. Verni // Flickr
#39. Greece
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 81
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 129,765
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #51 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 81
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 129,765
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #51 most common country of origin
3 / 40
Ninara // Wikimedia Commons
#38. Iran
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 82
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 82
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
4 / 40
SL-Photography // Shutterstock
#37. Panama
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 83
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 103,299
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #58 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 83
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 103,299
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #58 most common country of origin
5 / 40
Sean Hsu // Shutterstock
#36. Singapore
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 84
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 34,014
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #101 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 84
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 34,014
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #101 most common country of origin
6 / 40
neiljs // Flickr
#35. Ethiopia
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 90
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 249,777
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #34 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 90
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 249,777
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #34 most common country of origin
7 / 40
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#34. Spain
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 95
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 115,113
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #55 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 95
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 115,113
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #55 most common country of origin
8 / 40
Christopher Michel // Flickr
#33. Sudan
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 98
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 46,716
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #87 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 98
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 46,716
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #87 most common country of origin
9 / 40
Viacheslav Lopatin // Shutterstock
#32. Russia
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 106
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 106
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
10 / 40
Pixabay
#31. Netherlands
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 118
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 85,161
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #69 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 118
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 85,161
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #69 most common country of origin
11 / 40
Tobias Jelskov // Unsplash
#30. Bolivia
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 78,927
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #72 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 78,927
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #72 most common country of origin
12 / 40
Alexander Canas Arango // Shutterstock
#29. Colombia
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 154
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 154
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
13 / 40
Prin Adulyatham // Shutterstock
#28. Egypt
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 157
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 191,452
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #40 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 157
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 191,452
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #40 most common country of origin
14 / 40
Unsplash
#27. Japan
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 169
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 169
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
15 / 40
agchinook // Shutterstock
#26. Venezuela
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 171
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 349,720
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #27 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 171
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 349,720
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #27 most common country of origin
16 / 40
Michael Shade // Wikicommons
#25. Ecuador
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 177
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 438,474
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #19 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 177
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 438,474
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #19 most common country of origin
17 / 40
JMRAFFi // Wikimedia Commons
#24. El Salvador
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 182
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 182
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
18 / 40
Catarina Belova // Shutterstock
#22 (tie). Brazil
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 189
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 189
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
19 / 40
Kalamazadkhan // Wikicommons
#22 (tie). Trinidad and Tobago
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 189
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 230,035
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #37 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 189
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 230,035
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #37 most common country of origin
20 / 40
byvalet // Shutterstock
#21. Jamaica
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 190
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 190
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
21 / 40
Irene2005 // Flickr
#20. Congo
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 211
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 30,496
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #106 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 211
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 30,496
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #106 most common country of origin
22 / 40
Kobby Dagan // Shutterstock
#19. Guatemala
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 212
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 212
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
23 / 40
Christian Vinces // Shutterstock
#18. Peru
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 225
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 225
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
24 / 40
Michal Knitl // Shutterstock
#17. Afghanistan
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 231
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 101,548
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #59 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 231
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 101,548
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #59 most common country of origin
25 / 40
USACE HQ , JIM GORDAN, CIV, USACE // Wikicommons
#16. Iraq
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 241
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 241
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
26 / 40
Kys951 // Wikimedia Commons
#15. South Korea
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 248
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 248
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
27 / 40
Vixit // Shutterstock
#14. Nepal
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 284
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 140,904
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #49 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 284
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 140,904
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #49 most common country of origin
28 / 40
Saqib Rizvi // Shutterstock
#13. Pakistan
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 293
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.0%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 293
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.0%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
29 / 40
Kendra Helmer // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Haiti
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 308
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 672,655
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #15 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 308
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 672,655
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #15 most common country of origin
30 / 40
Quangpraha // Pixabay
#11. Vietnam
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 360
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 360
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
31 / 40
User:Colin // Wikimedia Commons
#10. United Kingdom
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 381
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.6%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 381
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.6%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
32 / 40
Max Pixel
#9. Germany
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 402
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.7%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 402
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.7%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
33 / 40
neshom // Pixabay
#8. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.2%
National
- Number of residents: 103,938
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #57 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.2%
National
- Number of residents: 103,938
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #57 most common country of origin
34 / 40
Unsplash
#7. Canada
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 550
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.7%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 550
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.7%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
35 / 40
Falkenpost // Pixabay
#6. Cuba
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 592
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.0%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 592
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.0%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
36 / 40
Marek Poplawski // Shutterstock
#5. Honduras
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 665
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 665
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
37 / 40
Joseph Oropel // Shutterstock
#4. Philippines
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 752
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 752
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
38 / 40
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#3. China
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 928
- Percent of foreign born residents: 6.2%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 928
- Percent of foreign born residents: 6.2%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
39 / 40
Kriangkrai Thitimakorn // Shutterstock
#2. India
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,141
- Percent of foreign born residents: 7.7%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,141
- Percent of foreign born residents: 7.7%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
40 / 40
Jakub Hejtmánek // Wikicommons
#1. Mexico
Roanoke, VA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,582
- Percent of foreign born residents: 10.6%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,582
- Percent of foreign born residents: 10.6%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
