$129,619Average Value$113Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
A historic neighborhood with new community resources
Spurred by the arrival of the Salem-Melrose streetcar line in the 1920s, the bungalows and cottages in Loudon-Melrose were built to house working-class families in northwest Roanoke. “It’s definitely a historic, industrial area,” says Nicholas Montgomery, a librarian at the Melrose Library just west of the neighborhood. Incomes are typically lower in this area near the Roanoke Rail Yard, Montgomery says, but the library serves as a community resource, and more services are on their way. The Goodwill Industries of the Valleys nonprofit organization is developing a former Goodwill building into Melrose Plaza, including a much-needed grocery store to sell fresh produce in northwest Roanoke. The plaza will also include a bank, health clinic and an adult high school offering childcare services.
Homes in Loudon-Melrose are perched on hills within leafy streets and sprawling yards.
Loudon-Melrose residents use different means of transportation at times to get around.
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20th-century cottages and bungalows
Industrial businesses, like auto parts stores and heating oil suppliers, line the road leading to the rail yard in the southern section of the neighborhood. Residential streets are located north of this area and include small houses built in the early to mid-1900s. Bungalows sit close together and usually cost between $100,000 and $190,000. Workers’ cottages, depending on renovations, can cost anywhere from $90,000 to $220,000.
Workers cottages are prevalent in Loudon-Melrose with a working-class neighborhood.
Bungalows in Loudon-Melrose overlook industrial railways and the city of Roanoke.
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Casual takeout restaurants in Loudon-Melrose
Currently, the neighborhood only has convenience stores like Food Giant and Family Dollar, which stock packaged items. Food pickups are available at the Feeding Southwest Virginia Community Solutions Center on Melrose Avenue, which allows residents to pay with EBT cards. During the summer, it offers free snacks and meals for kids throughout Roanoke, and the closest food pickup spots to Loudon-Melrose are Melrose Adventist Child Development Center and the Melrose Library. Food Lion is almost 3 miles west, and for retail shopping, residents must travel 4 miles north to the Valley View Mall, Walmart or Target. But more retail is on the way. Melrose Plaza is being converted into a community center with a grocery store called the Market on Melrose, which will have shelves for fresh, affordable groceries when it opens in November 2024. Other community-affirming resources, like the Bank of Botetourt and a health center called Wellness on Melrose, will also be available. Restaurant selection in the area is sparse, but folks can grab takeout from a few casual spots. Island Jerk sells authentic Jamaican food from a bright green trailer; locals pick up to-go platters filled with brown stew chicken, rice and peas or oxtail. China Lite is another takeout spot serving fried rice and sesame chicken. Screaming Vegan sells plant-based versions of classic comfort meals like patty melts and mac and cheese.
Loudon-Melrose is fortunate to have delicious Jamaican food at Island Jerk.
Loudon-Melrose has other tasty meal options like China Lite for authentic Chinese food.
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Movies, bingo and open mic nights at Melrose Library
The library has practical resources, like printers, fax machines and computer labs, but it’s also a hub for entertaining events. “The library is really a community space where a lot of people will hang out. Our meeting rooms are free to reserve, so people will have baby showers, birthday parties and weddings.” Its summer reading program offers incentives to keep kids reading on school break, and residents can also attend the library’s frequent open mic nights, bingo and movie nights. “Our STEAM lab just had a ‘build-your-own guitar out of cardboard program,’ and during the summer, we’ll have a weekly themed program. We just finished beach week and are about to do a western week,” Montgomery says.
Loudon-Melrose residents head to the Melrose Library for a peaceful place of education and play.
The Melrose Library is a safe space for minds to stretch with a beautiful atmosphere in Melrose.
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Basketball games and picnics at Melrose Park
Melrose Park is the neighborhood’s only public green space. Teenagers meet for pickup games on the basketball courts, and kids play on the swings or run around a small playground. Residents can watch their children as they relax under the shaded picnic pavilion, a popular destination for impromptu get-togethers or birthday parties. The neighborhood doesn’t link to the large Roanoke Valley Greenway trail network, but Loudon-Melrose is about a mile southwest of Washington Park, where locals can explore the Lick Run Greenway, a paved trail 4-mile trail for walking or biking. The park also has tennis and basketball courts, and it will have a new pool with lap lanes, a lazy river and a kids’ area by 2025.
Loundon-Melrose has a fun space to play at Melrose Park with a playground and basketball courts.
Melrose families walk through the tree-lined path from the playground at Brown-Robertson Park.
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Valley Metro buses go throughout Roanoke
Roads don’t experience much traffic, but sidewalks start and stop abruptly throughout the neighborhood, making it challenging to walk in some areas. Residents usually drive or take the bus to get around. Valley Metro bus stops line Loudon and Melrose avenues; bus Route 92 takes locals to Third Street Station near downtown in about 20 minutes. From there, they can connect to Route 15 to head toward the Valley View Mall. The entire one-way trip takes roughly 40 minutes. Bus Route 75 heads west to Food Lion in about 15 minutes. Drivers can travel 5 miles west on Melrose Avenue to get to Salem or about 3 miles southeast to go downtown. They can also drive east on Orange Avenue to merge onto Interstate 581, which links with Interstate 81. Blacksburg is a 40-mile drive southwest on Interstate 81. There’s an Amtrak train station downtown for longer trips, and the Blacksburg-Roanoke Regional Airport is 4 miles north.
Locals in Loudon-Melrose can take the metro transportation into Roanoke.
Interstate 581 is easily accessible for residents in Loudon-Melrose who need to travel.
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Career pathways at Patrick Henry High
Children may begin at Roanoke Academy for Math and Science Elementary School and progress to Lucy Addison Middle. Both schools have C ratings from Niche. Older students can attend Patrick Henry High, which earns a B rating from Niche. The high school offers career pathways in fields like arts media and entertainment, manufacturing and product development and education, child development and family services.
Lucy Addison Middle School is a strong student body with room for growth.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jessica Rossello,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Washington Park
Melrose Park
Brown-Robertson Park
Transit
Airport
Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field)
12 min drive
Bus
Loudon Eb & 20th
Bus
Loudon Eb & 18th
Bus
Loudon Eb & 16th
Bus
Loudon Wb & 22nd
Bus
Melrose Wb & 16th
Bus
Melrose Wb & 18th
Bus
Loudon Eb & 14th
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Loudon-Melrose
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
9
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
8
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Loudon-Melrose, Roanoke sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Loudon-Melrose, Roanoke over the last 12 months is $142,833, up 17% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Level lot perfect for building your home, close to downtown, zoned R1 Mixed Density. Perfect investment for the future or now. Excellent location, city services in the area.
Lisa MartinBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES PREMIER, REALTORS(r) - NORTH
Seller in process of replacing both the oven and refrigerator, photos of kitchen will be updated once new models are installed. Convenient to Downtown Roanoke, health facilities, markets, public library, Hardware store & more. Main level laundryconnections and large walk- in pantry, loads of potential with a lot (40 X 179) that extends all the way to an alley in back . Roof is less than 2 years
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jessica Rossello,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
796
Median Age
34
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
32.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$39,599
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$41,198
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
73.4%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
2.7%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0%
% Population in Labor Force
71.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
29°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
1''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
42/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
52/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
32/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
