Monroe County, Alabama Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Monroe County is located in Alabama with a total population of 19,580. It is the 46th most populous county out of 67 in Alabama.

Age Demographics

The median age in Monroe County is 43.9 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.3 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Monroe County is $40,225. This is 35% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.9%. This is 146% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $114,900. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $195,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Monroe County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Monroe County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 42.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (42.2% vs 25.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.4%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.

Education

11.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 27.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.6%.