It is the largest of the City of Salford's conservation areas, selected because of its village green, an unusual feature in the region.

Roe Green was first mentioned in a land dispute between Gilbert Sherrington of Wardley Hall and Richard Brereton of Worsley.

[1] The green was unenclosed common land, used for grazing with a pinfold where stray animals were kept until released on the payment of a fine.

The inhabitants worked in the Duke of Bridgewater's coal mines, in agriculture and, until the arrival of cotton mills, in handloom weaving.

Their great nephew Michael Vaughan, who lived in the village in his early years played for Yorkshire and captained England.