Population 46,208 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Monroe County
Household size in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.55 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.54 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.55 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.00 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
The average household in Monroe County has 2.55 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Still, the typical household here is bigger than in Wisconsin as a whole, where it has 2.40 people. Only four of Wisconsin's 72 counties have larger households.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.1 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.1 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.1 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.9 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.8 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
At 39.9, the median age in Monroe County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 39.1, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the south, the oldest in the north.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.5% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.4% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Monroe County (10.4%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 0.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, though, only six have a higher 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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.7% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 33.1% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.3% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.2% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Monroe County own their homes; 27.2% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. More than four in ten owners (44.4%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Compared with other Wisconsin counties, though, Monroe County has a higher share of renters than most.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Monroe County as nationally: 8.8%, against 9.6%. Vacancy is little changed from 2006–10, while the national rate fell.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1979 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Monroe County was built around 1979, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in Wisconsin overall, where the median home dates to 1974. The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the west.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $689 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $750 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $819 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $938 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$248 | +$380 | +$606 |
The median renter in Monroe County pays $938 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $248 a month from 2006–10, a 36% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 26.8% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the north and lowest in the southeast.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.4% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.6% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.5% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.4% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Monroe County: 21.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 5.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the northeast.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.6% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.2% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.8% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.5% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Monroe County is close to the national rate: 90.5% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Wisconsin overall (93.3%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 2.8 points, mirroring the country.
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 | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.7% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.2% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.7% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.1% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Monroe County has been low: just 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 1.6 points, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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 | 2.55 | 39.9 | 10.4% | 27.2% | 8.8% | 1979 | $938 | 21.4% | 90.5% | 3.1% |
| Juneau County | 2.28 | 46.2 | 8.8% | 21.9% | 21.2% | 1977 | $913 | 16.6% | 90.4% | 4.3% |
| La Crosse County | 2.30 | 39.6 | 7.8% | 37.8% | 6.1% | 1978 | $1,159 | 35.3% | 96.6% | 3.1% |
| Adams County | 2.17 | 54.4 | 5.7% | 13.8% | 39.9% | 1983 | $1,073 | 17.5% | 89.6% | 5.2% |
| Winona County | 2.37 | 37.7 | 6.6% | 30.5% | 9.3% | 1968 | $912 | 33.7% | 94.3% | 2.5% |
| Marquette County | 2.25 | 50.2 | 7.3% | 18.8% | 26.2% | 1976 | $826 | 16.3% | 92.1% | 2.7% |
| Green Lake County | 2.33 | 46.0 | 9.3% | 25.5% | 18.7% | 1969 | $797 | 22.6% | 91.4% | 2.7% |
| Olmsted County | 2.52 | 38.8 | 9.0% | 29.4% | 6.7% | 1987 | $1,440 | 49.1% | 94.9% | 3.6% |
| Dodge County | 2.60 | 38.9 | 10.4% | 13.4% | 5.1% | 1980 | $1,127 | 30.6% | 95.5% | 3.3% |
| Steele County | 2.48 | 40.7 | 10.2% | 20.6% | 5.8% | 1974 | $1,181 | 27.4% | 93.4% | 3.7% |
| Waseca County | 2.42 | 40.7 | 11.3% | 19.3% | 6.0% | 1966 | $941 | 20.6% | 93.5% | 2.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Shelby County, IN · Gila County, AZ · Goodhue County, MN · Grady County, OK · Grant County, WI · Greene County, AR · Greene County, NY · Henry County, IL · Henry County, VA · Hoke County, NC
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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