Monroe, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Monroe, Louisiana had a total population of 47,004, the 9th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $40,505, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.2% is notably above the national average.
Monroe Quick Facts
How Monroe Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,241 | 47,004 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $36,521 | $40,505 | +10.9% |
| Median home value | $174,800 | $198,900 | +13.8% |
How Monroe Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Monroe Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Ouachita Parish
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claiborne | 13,308 | $72,420 | 11.3% | $219,200 |
| West Monroe | 12,729 | $49,386 | 26.3% | $192,400 |
| Brownsville | 4,357 | $35,526 | 29.4% | $74,700 |
| Swartz | 4,110 | $67,287 | 14.5% | $199,800 |
| Richwood | 3,839 | $31,680 | 39.1% | $53,000 |
| Lakeshore | 3,437 | $48,214 | 23.6% | $166,800 |
| Bawcomville | 2,804 | $24,929 | 47.3% | $61,500 |
| Sterlington | 2,229 | $69,007 | 17.3% | $228,400 |
| Calhoun | 420 | $138,372 | 0.0% | $275,200 |
Cities Similar to Monroe
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | 44,060 | $47,113 | $183,700 | 25.3% | 27.0% |
| Marrero | 32,540 | $41,402 | $169,800 | 14.3% | 23.0% |
| Bossier City | 62,901 | $55,819 | $202,100 | 24.7% | 20.8% |
| Kenner | 64,904 | $64,020 | $246,300 | 29.1% | 15.4% |
| Houma | 32,392 | $58,194 | $205,900 | 23.8% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Monroe is a mid-sized community located in Louisiana, within Ouachita Parish. The total population is 47,004. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Monroe is 35.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Monroe is $40,505. This is 33% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.9%. This is 90% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 10.2%. This is 62% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $198,900. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 47.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Monroe is Black or African American, making up 59.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (59.8% vs 30.5%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
32.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Monroe, Louisiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Monroe, Louisiana?
Monroe, Louisiana has a population of 47,004 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Monroe, LA?
The median household income in Monroe is $40,505, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Monroe, LA?
The poverty rate in Monroe is 35.9%. This means approximately 15,895 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Monroe, Louisiana?
Monroe's population is 34.1% White, 59.8% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Monroe, LA?
The median home value in Monroe is $198,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Monroe, Louisiana?
32.4% of adults (25+) in Monroe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.