[1] It was named for the Roanoke River, which in turn was derived from a Native American term for money.

However, the county administrative offices were moved to the Cave Spring District.

[7] The county is governed by a Board of Supervisors with one representative elected from each of the five magisterial districts: Catawba, Cave Spring, Hollins, Vinton, and Windsor Hills.

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 85,778 people, 34,686 households, and 24,696 families residing in the county.

25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Roanoke College, also a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, is in the independent city of Salem within the boundaries of Roanoke County; Salem's former county courthouse on Main Street is now a college academic building.

Notable sports figures from Roanoke County include Tiki Barber, Ronde Barber, J. J. Redick, all of whom attended and graduated from Cave Spring High School in Southwest Roanoke County.

Many of these CDPs and unincorporated areas have mailing addresses in the cities of Roanoke and Salem.