By the late 18th century, settlers began moving into the area and in 1797, the Gish family established a gristmill on Glade Creek. Afterward the area would become known as Gish's Mill. As the railroad expanded into the Roanoke Valley, Gish's Mill became a stop for the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad. In the late 1870s and early 1880s, the Gish family led a movement to establish a town around the train depot site. A mass meeting to discuss incorporation was held in 1883 and in 1884 the area was incorporated as the Town of Vinton.[5]
The town shares a substantial portion of its western border with the neighboring city of Roanoke. Several neighborhoods in this area are bisected by the border between the two communities. Given its proximity and size, the town is considered a bedroom community for Roanoke.
The southern border of Vinton consists of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of lakefront in the Roanoke River Gorge. This lake, however, which was created by the 1904 construction of the hydroelectric Niagara (so-called) dam, is not visible from any inhabited part of the town, is difficult to reach, and is little used.
Vinton has varied topography, considering its 3.2 square mile size. The above-mentioned lake is at an elevation of 890 feet (270 m) above sea level. The Vinton side of the lake consists of a steep, wooded cliff 150 feet (46 m) in vertical height. Vinton's highest point is on Olney Road, at an elevation of 1,265 feet (386 m), which affords a good view of the adjacent city of Roanoke.
While the entirety of the town of Vinton is located in Roanoke County, much of its ZIP Code also covers the western portion of Bedford County.
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 8,092 people, 3,774 housing units, and 3,547 households in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 90.0% White, 5.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population. The median income for a household in the town was $44,667.
Parks and recreation
Vinyard Park is an 86-acre public park located just north of Vinton. The park includes fields for baseball, football and soccer, a playground area and picnic shelter. A wooden path near the park entrance provides an educational lookout in a wetlands area.
Goode Park is a public park located east of Vinton. The park includes a baseball/softball field, a soccer field, trails, and picnic area.
M. A. Banks Park is a neighborhood park that includes a basketball court, picnic area, and playground.
Government
Vinton operates a council–manager form of government. Vinton Town Council is composed of a mayor and four council members who are elected at-large.
Education
The town is served by Roanoke County Public Schools. Public school students residing in Vinton are zoned to attend Herman L. Horn Elementary School or W. E. Cundiff Elementary School, William Byrd Middle School, and William Byrd High School.
Higher education institutions are located in Hollins and Roanoke.
Media
The Vinton Messenger is a weekly newspaper that covers the town of Vinton. The Roanoke Times, the region's primary newspaper, also covers the town.
The Norfolk Southern operated Blue Ridge District and Altavista District run through the town. The closest passenger rail service is located in Roanoke.
Public safety
Law enforcement is provided by the Vinton Police Department. Fire protection is provided by the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department and Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department which operates a fire station within the town. Emergency medical services are provided by the Vinton First Aid Crew and Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department.
