Population 12,386 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Monroe County
Household size in Monroe County
| Period | Monroe County | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.42 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.36 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.36 | 2.44 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.89 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.47 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Monroe County holds 2.89 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.42 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. No other West Virginia county has 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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.4 | 41.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.9 | 42.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.5 | 43.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.5 | 43.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.1 | +1.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.5, Monroe County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 44.4, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the west, the 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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 9.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.5% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Monroe County: 8.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 2.4 points, even as the national share fell.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.1% | 25.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.9% | 27.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.3% | 26.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.1% | 25.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 13.1% 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. About six in ten owners (58.3%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 2.0 points, even as the national share rose. Of West Virginia's 55 counties, only three 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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.9% | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.4% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.1% | 14.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | −0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Monroe County: 26.1% 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 2.2 points, even as 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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1971 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Monroe County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1977, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1971 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the center.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $477 | $578 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $593 | $657 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $623 | $759 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $691 | $905 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$214 | +$327 | +$606 |
The median renter in Monroe County pays $691 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $214 a month since 2006–10, up 45%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.6% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.7% | 18.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.9% | 19.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.3% | 21.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.7% | 25.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Monroe County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 15.7%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 3.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.0% | 82.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.1% | 84.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.9% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.3% | 89.4% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.4 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in eight adults in Monroe County never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 87.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 11.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 | West Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 8.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 6.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Monroe County runs below the national rate: 4.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.5 points, mirroring the country. 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 | 2.89 | 45.5 | 8.2% | 13.1% | 26.1% | 1977 | $691 | 15.7% | 87.3% | 4.7% |
| Summers County | 2.32 | 49.1 | 6.6% | 18.8% | 26.5% | 1973 | $928 | 18.3% | 83.5% | 2.2% |
| Craig County | 2.89 | 47.8 | 4.3% | 16.3% | 27.2% | 1981 | $706 | 19.6% | 86.6% | 2.4% |
| Botetourt County | 2.58 | 47.9 | 7.1% | 14.5% | 12.4% | 1984 | $1,171 | 29.0% | 94.4% | 2.5% |
| Wyoming County | 2.63 | 45.5 | 13.0% | 17.5% | 17.6% | 1972 | $670 | 13.5% | 78.6% | 5.5% |
| Amherst County | 2.47 | 43.9 | 8.1% | 19.2% | 12.2% | 1980 | $1,029 | 25.2% | 89.9% | 5.3% |
| Pike County | 2.33 | 42.5 | 9.4% | 24.7% | 15.4% | 1985 | $803 | 18.3% | 82.9% | 4.9% |
| Floyd County | 2.37 | 42.7 | 11.8% | 27.8% | 16.5% | 1982 | $736 | 16.3% | 81.4% | 8.3% |
| Buckingham County | 2.37 | 43.3 | 12.9% | 22.7% | 14.5% | 1990 | $1,003 | 15.1% | 85.7% | 4.5% |
| Cumberland County | 2.44 | 47.0 | 13.9% | 24.1% | 15.2% | 1985 | $1,030 | 21.6% | 86.0% | 3.1% |
| Breathitt County | 2.40 | 43.4 | 12.1% | 23.4% | 16.9% | 1990 | $577 | 16.2% | 80.7% | 9.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Sevier County, UT · Franklin County, ID · Franklin County, MS · Franklin County, TX · Franklin Parish, LA · Freestone County, TX · Frontier County, NE · Scott County, TN · Scott County, VA · Sevier County, AR
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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