City profile · Louisiana · Census ACS 2023

Monroe, LA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Monroe - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

47,241
Residents
$36,521
Median income
$174,800
Median home
$1,026
Median rent (state)

Monroe - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Monroe places in the 5th percentile for household income and the 1st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

5th
percentile, household income
35th
percentile, home value
22nd
percentile, median rent
1st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Monroe, LA

Louisiana's Monroe is a small city, with 47,241 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $36,521 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 32.3%. Monroe's housing stock carries a median value of $174,800, and the median resident age is 34.7 years. About 28.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 47.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 96 residential building permits were authorized in Monroe (Construction Slowdown), down 45% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Monroe's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 7625.8 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Monroe's yearly average temperature at 63.4°F with 59.9 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Louisiana run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Louisiana scores 88.2 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,026 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Louisiana's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). Workers in Monroe report an average commute of 16.7 minutes, with 73.7% driving alone and 7.1% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 87.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

47,241 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Louisiana

Median Household Income

$36,521 /yr

Poverty 32.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Louisiana average

How does Monroe compare to other US cities?

Here's how Monroe stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 5% higher than other cities
Home value 35% pricier than other cities
Median rent 22% pricier than other cities
Safety 1% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Louisiana, Monroe ranks #59 of 60 Louisiana cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Monroe against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Louisiana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Louisiana-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Monroe toward the top of Louisiana's cities

Among the 477 Louisiana cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Monroe ranks #68 - the 86th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Monroe only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#312 of 426
27th percentile in Louisiana
Median Gross Rent
#186 of 477
58th percentile in Louisiana
Median Home Value
#158 of 419
62nd percentile in Louisiana
Poverty Rate
#72 of 475
84th percentile in Louisiana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#68 of 477
86th percentile in Louisiana

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Louisiana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

5thIncome percentile
1stSafety percentile

5th percentile nationally for median household income · 1st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Monroe's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Monroe's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 26 Avg. percentile National median
Monroe's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Monroe's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$174,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 65% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Monroe $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Monroe, LA Monroe, LA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Monroe, LA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Monroe, LA median $36,521/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Monroe, LA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Monroe, LA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 32.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
47,241
Median Income
$36,521
Median Home Value
$174,800
Median Age
34.7
Poverty Rate
32.3%
Labor force participation
47.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
7625.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1892.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
5733.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
59.9"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
34
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
46,500 residents47,000 residents47,500 residents48,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 47,734 residents 46,860 residents ▼ -1.8%
Monroe's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
96
housing units authorized
Single-Family
94
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 173
2020 184
2021 221
2022 100
2023 131
2024 96

Permit volume decreased 45% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.7 minutes
Drive Alone
73.7%
Carpool
11.8%
Public Transit
2.9%
Walk
3.1%
Work from Home
7.1%
Other
1.4%

Based on 16,574 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Louisiana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Louisiana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Louisiana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Monroe sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,026/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Louisiana

Alexandria
44,566 people
Prairieville
35,010 people
Houma
32,760 people
Marrero
31,866 people
Bossier City
62,832 people
Central
29,603 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Monroe's 47,241 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Roseville, MI
47,240 people
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
47,257 people
Mentor, OH
47,215 people
Winter Garden, FL
47,182 people
Brea, CA
47,337 people
Newark, CA
47,145 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Monroe's $36,521 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fitzgerald, GA
$36,515 median income
Gary City, TX
$36,528 median income
Lincolnville, SC
$36,538 median income
Skidmore, TX
$36,503 median income
Kaibab, AZ
$36,500 median income
Crenshaw, MS
$36,542 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Monroe, LA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Monroe, LA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 33.4% 60.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.0% White 33.4% Black or African American 60.4% Asian 1.5% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 2.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Monroe compares to nearby Louisiana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Monroe (this city) 47,241 $36,521
Alexandria 44,566 $47,357
Prairieville 35,010 $115,610
Houma 32,760 $54,637
Census ACS 5-year FIPS LA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Monroe, LA?

What is the population of Monroe, LA? +

47,241 people live in Monroe, LA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Monroe, LA? +

In Monroe, the typical household earns $36,521 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Monroe? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Monroe; the closest available measure is the Louisiana state average, a cost of living index of 88.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Louisiana vary by metro area.

Is Monroe, LA safe? +

Monroe has a total crime rate of 7625.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Monroe, LA? +

The median home value in Monroe is $174,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Monroe? +

The average annual temperature in Monroe runs 63.4°F, 59.9 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.