Monroe County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Monroe County is located in Illinois with a total population of 34,969. It is the 40th most populous county out of 102 in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Monroe County is 42.5 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Monroe County is $101,635. This is 24% higher than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% higher. The poverty rate stands at 4.6%. This is 61% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $265,600. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Monroe County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Monroe County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.3% vs 58.8%). The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

38.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Monroe County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.8%.