Monroe, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Monroe, North Carolina had a total population of 36,759, the 28th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $72,540, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 35,596 | 36,759 | +3.3% |
| Median household income | $67,265 | $72,540 | +7.8% |
| Median home value | $270,600 | $309,100 | +14.2% |
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Monroe Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Trail | 42,036 | $108,483 | 5.3% | $385,000 |
| Waxhaw | 22,275 | $131,894 | 4.5% | $549,400 |
| Wesley Chapel | 9,090 | $132,188 | 4.5% | $535,500 |
| Unionville | 6,954 | $96,028 | 9.4% | $336,200 |
| Marvin | 6,692 | $250,000+ | 7.6% | $906,000 |
| Wingate | 4,425 | $63,068 | 17.0% | $229,800 |
| Fairview | 3,619 | $98,808 | 1.8% | $382,300 |
| Lake Park | 3,431 | $66,411 | 8.0% | $334,500 |
| Mineral Springs | 3,314 | $91,500 | 4.2% | $389,900 |
| Marshville | 2,615 | $57,837 | 14.7% | $172,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garner | 34,473 | $78,756 | $355,000 | 46.5% | 8.4% |
| Salisbury | 35,825 | $53,716 | $242,500 | 29.9% | 26.3% |
| New Bern | 32,734 | $61,031 | $240,100 | 29.4% | 17.3% |
| Hickory | 44,258 | $64,576 | $278,400 | 37.0% | 17.1% |
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | $329,600 | 40.4% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Monroe is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Union County. The total population is 36,759. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Monroe is 35.5 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Monroe is $72,540. This is about the same as the state median of $72,388. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $309,100. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 61.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Monroe is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.9% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
24.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Monroe, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Monroe, North Carolina?
Monroe, North Carolina has a population of 36,759 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Monroe, NC?
The median household income in Monroe is $72,540, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Monroe, NC?
The poverty rate in Monroe is 13.3%. This means approximately 4,816 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Monroe, North Carolina?
Monroe's population is 43.7% White, 19.7% Black, 30.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Monroe, NC?
The median home value in Monroe is $309,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Monroe, North Carolina?
24.1% of adults (25+) in Monroe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.