Monroe city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Monroe city, North Carolina has a total population of 35,596, the 29th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $67,265, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Monroe city Quick Facts
How Monroe city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Monroe city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Monroe city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury city | 35,730 | $51,058 | $215,200 | 26.9% | 24.3% |
| Garner town | 32,543 | $77,496 | $320,300 | 45.8% | 7.3% |
| New Bern city | 31,563 | $56,893 | $211,500 | 29.6% | 16.3% |
| Hickory city | 43,747 | $63,361 | $248,300 | 35.9% | 17.0% |
| Goldsboro city | 33,448 | $47,005 | $173,700 | 21.4% | 20.8% |
Population Overview
Monroe city is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina. The total population is 35,596. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Monroe city is 36.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Monroe city is $67,265. This is 4% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $270,600. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Monroe city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (31.0% vs 10.9%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
21.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Monroe city, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Monroe city, North Carolina?
Monroe city, North Carolina has a population of 35,596 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Monroe city, NC?
The median household income in Monroe city is $67,265, which is 14% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Monroe city, NC?
The poverty rate in Monroe city is 13.9%. This means approximately 4,859 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Monroe city, North Carolina?
Monroe city's population is 42.5% White, 21.5% Black, 31.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Monroe city, NC?
The median home value in Monroe city is $270,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Monroe city, North Carolina?
21.6% of adults (25+) in Monroe city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.