Population 35,036 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Monroe County
Household size in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.62 | 2.52 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.64 | 2.53 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.49 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.53 | 2.46 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.09 | −0.06 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Monroe County run a little small, averaging 2.53 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has dropped from 2.62 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the center.
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 | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.4 | 38.5 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.0 | 39.5 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.6 | 40.7 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.6 | 40.8 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.2 | +2.3 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Monroe County skews older than the country: its median age is 43.6, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 40.4 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the center.
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 | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 11.7% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.6% | 11.5% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.1% | 11.0% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 11.1% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.8% of households in Monroe County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Only two of Illinois' 102 counties have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.3% | 28.3% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.0% | 30.1% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.6% | 31.1% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 15.3% | 29.6% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | +1.4 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 15.3% of households in Monroe County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 40.1% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is down 3.0 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Of Illinois' 102 counties, only five have a lower share of renters.
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 | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.3% | 9.6% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.9% | 10.1% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 8.8% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −0.8 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Monroe County than nationally: 6.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Vacancy is up 0.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell. Monroe County has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Illinois counties.
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 | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1972 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1972 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1973 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1975 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Monroe County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the east. Of Illinois' 102 counties, only two have newer 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 | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $799 | $825 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $873 | $920 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $969 | $1,010 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,048 | $1,239 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$248 | +$414 | +$475 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Monroe County costs $1,048 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $248 a month from 2006–10, a 31% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 28.1% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southeast; the highest are in the west.
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 | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.4% | 30.3% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.6% | 32.1% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.1% | 34.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.4% | 38.5% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.0 pts | +8.3 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Nearly four in ten adults 25 and older in Monroe County (38.4%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 13.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few Illinois counties have a higher share of college graduates: only five of 102.
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 | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.8% | 88.8% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.6% | 90.5% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.0% | 92.1% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.0% | 93.6% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.2 pts | +4.8 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Monroe County: 96.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 5.2 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Illinois' 102 counties, only two have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.5% | 7.7% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.2% | 8.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 4.9% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.9% | 4.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Monroe County has been low: just 1.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Illinois county has lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.5 points, 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 | 2.53 | 43.6 | 6.8% | 15.3% | 6.8% | 1987 | $1,048 | 38.4% | 96.0% | 1.9% |
| Jefferson County | 2.62 | 41.0 | 11.1% | 17.8% | 6.9% | 1987 | $1,089 | 25.1% | 92.2% | 3.2% |
| Washington County | 2.32 | 45.4 | 10.0% | 15.9% | 9.4% | 1972 | $840 | 23.4% | 93.1% | 4.3% |
| Franklin County | 2.46 | 41.8 | 10.7% | 23.5% | 8.0% | 1983 | $947 | 23.7% | 90.5% | 4.3% |
| Jefferson County | 2.42 | 42.4 | 12.5% | 28.3% | 11.6% | 1978 | $887 | 18.4% | 92.6% | 5.8% |
| Gasconade County | 2.42 | 46.0 | 10.1% | 19.1% | 18.7% | 1976 | $797 | 17.3% | 90.4% | 3.1% |
| Osage County | 2.54 | 40.9 | 6.5% | 20.6% | 20.9% | 1982 | $700 | 24.8% | 90.9% | 1.9% |
| Wayne County | 2.37 | 42.5 | 8.6% | 21.6% | 10.3% | 1976 | $704 | 16.1% | 89.1% | 3.5% |
| Edwards County | 2.30 | 45.3 | 9.6% | 20.7% | 11.6% | 1969 | $704 | 14.2% | 92.0% | 4.8% |
| Miller County | 2.62 | 41.6 | 9.9% | 26.1% | 17.1% | 1986 | $751 | 19.7% | 88.3% | 5.2% |
| Wabash County | 2.32 | 42.3 | 13.2% | 23.7% | 13.5% | 1965 | $793 | 17.6% | 92.6% | 3.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Halifax County, VA · Sequoyah County, OK · Seneca County, NY · Scotts Bluff County, NE · Scott County, MS · Scott County, MO · Scotland County, NC · Schoharie County, NY · Salem City, VA · Russell County, VA
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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