County · Kentucky
Monroe County, Kentucky
Monroe County, Kentucky. Monroe County had 11,191 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.3% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 21171.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,191
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,338 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,269
Median household income
$51,280
±$3,814 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$115,900
±$10,537 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$657
±$70 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Monroe County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,338 residents in Monroe County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,191 for July 1, 2025, down 1.3% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 11,269 over 329 square miles of land.
| Measure | Monroe County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,269 | 4,534,824 | +642 |
| Households | 4,645±145 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.08 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,279±46 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
Monroe County's population since 2000
From 11,756 in 2000 to 11,191 in 2025: down 4.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Monroe County?
Monroe County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Tompkinsville with 2,235 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Tompkinsville | 2,309 | $38,628 |
|---|---|---|
| Gamaliel | 391 | $49,375 |
| Fountain RunGEOID 2128666 | 216 | $80,045 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Monroe County?
The median resident of Monroe County is 41.1 years old; 24.4% are under 18 and 18.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.6%.
| Measure | Monroe County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1±0.9 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.4%±0.8 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.7%±0.4 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.6% | 5.0% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.3%±0.4 pts | 81.5% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±1.1 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±1.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±1.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.1%±1.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.6%±1.4 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 22.5%±2.6 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.0%±1.7 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.5%±2.3 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.0%±2.6 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.0%±2.1 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Monroe County earn?
Half of Monroe County's 4,645 households earn less than $51,280 a year (±$3,814), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 the median was $42,925 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,355 after inflation. 22.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Monroe County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,280±$3,814 | $63,726 | +$8,355 |
| Mean household income | $64,083±$4,560 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,296±$1,686 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.1%±4.3 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.7%±9.7 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.5%±3.2 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.9%±3.4 pts | 88.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Monroe County?
Owners occupy 70.9% of Monroe County's occupied homes and renters 29.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $115,900 by its owner (±$10,537). The median renter pays $657 a month including utilities, and 37.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Monroe County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $115,900±$10,537 | $205,600 | +$16,829 |
| Median gross rent | $657±$70 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.1%±10.7 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,056±$104 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.9%±3.9 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,279±46 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6%±4.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.9%±3.5 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.5%±2.9 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.8%±2.5 pts | 9.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Monroe County get to work?
79.8% of Monroe County's workers drive alone and 4.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Monroe County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.8%±3.3 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0%±1.7 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8%±3.8 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.0%±3.4 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±1.1 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.5%±2.2 pts | 10.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.4 min±5.3 | 24.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Monroe County's census tracts?
Monroe County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $43,352 (Tract 9304) to $61,750 (Tract 9301).
| Tract 930121171930100 | 1,958±287 | $61,750 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 930221171930200 | 2,246±375 | $56,058 |
| Tract 930321171930300 | 2,692±327 | $52,038 |
| Tract 930421171930400 | 4,373±449 | $43,352 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Monroe County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 95th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 91st of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 101st of 120 |
| Median household income | 79th of 120 |
| Median home value | 95th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 104th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 32nd of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 69th of 120 |
| Median age | 64th of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Monroe County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.