Population 81,860 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Monroe County
Household size in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.45 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.61 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.33 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.37 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Monroe County is a place of small households, averaging 2.37 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has edged down from 2.45 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Monroe County has smaller households than at least four in five Florida counties.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.4 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.1 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 48.0 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.2 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.8 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.2, Monroe County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 45.4 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the southwest and oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.0% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.4% of households in Monroe County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 0.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few Florida counties have a lower share of single-parent households: only four of 67.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Monroe County
Renters in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.5% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 39.5% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 40.5% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 34.2% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Monroe County is about as common as it is nationally: 34.2% of households rent, against 34.8%. Just over half of owners (52.8%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the southwest; owners are most common in the northeast. The renter share has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.2% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 40.7% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 33.9% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.2% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.9 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Monroe County: 33.2% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 5.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1980 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Monroe County are the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1980. Homes here are older than in Florida overall, where the median home dates to 1989. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the southwest has the oldest housing. Only one other Florida county has older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,313 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,437 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,676 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,145 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$833 | +$724 | +$606 |
Rent in Monroe County runs $2,145 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $833 a month since 2006–10, up 63%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 38.5% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Of Florida's 67 counties, only two have higher rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Monroe County
Bachelor's degrees in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.3% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.9% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.1% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.3% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.0 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Nearly four in ten adults 25 and older in Monroe County (38.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is higher than in Florida as a whole (34.6%). The share with a degree is up 10.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.2% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.4% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.1% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.0% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Monroe County is above the national rate: 93.0% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 3.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Monroe County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Florida counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.0% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.1% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.1% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.8% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Monroe County has been strong: just 2.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Florida county has lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 2.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Monroe County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | 2.37 | 49.2 | 7.4% | 34.2% | 33.2% | 1980 | $2,145 | 38.3% | 93.0% | 2.8% |
| Miami-Dade County | 2.91 | 41.5 | 14.3% | 47.8% | 9.4% | 1981 | $2,065 | 35.4% | 84.5% | 4.7% |
| Collier County | 2.56 | 51.8 | 8.4% | 23.4% | 23.3% | 1998 | $2,053 | 39.8% | 89.3% | 4.0% |
| Broward County | 2.76 | 42.2 | 12.8% | 36.4% | 10.8% | 1982 | $2,116 | 36.9% | 90.4% | 5.3% |
| Lee County | 2.59 | 48.5 | 9.5% | 25.7% | 19.9% | 1997 | $1,840 | 31.3% | 90.2% | 4.1% |
| Hendry County | 2.92 | 36.8 | 19.8% | 26.4% | 11.7% | 1993 | $1,172 | 13.7% | 68.0% | 4.1% |
| Palm Beach County | 2.67 | 45.8 | 11.8% | 29.9% | 13.5% | 1987 | $2,192 | 40.2% | 88.7% | 5.3% |
| Glades County | 2.52 | 48.6 | 11.9% | 14.9% | 25.0% | 1993 | $892 | 14.0% | 76.6% | 5.6% |
| Charlotte County | 2.22 | 58.3 | 6.0% | 16.2% | 20.0% | 1992 | $1,573 | 26.9% | 92.7% | 4.9% |
| DeSoto County | 2.64 | 45.3 | 13.3% | 27.5% | 18.2% | 1988 | $918 | 11.7% | 73.9% | 9.7% |
| Okeechobee County | 2.64 | 42.1 | 13.1% | 26.1% | 17.8% | 1989 | $1,105 | 15.5% | 79.4% | 4.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Kauai County, HI · Rockingham County, VA · Midland County, MI · Lincoln County, NC · Liberty County, TX · Lewis County, WA · Leavenworth County, KS · Lea County, NM · Lawrence County, PA · Lauderdale County, MS
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Monroe County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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