County · Tennessee
Monroe County, Tennessee
Monroe County, Tennessee. Monroe County had 49,730 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.5% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 7 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 47123.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
49,730
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 46,250 · ACS 2020-2024: 47,695
Median household income
$56,895
±$2,810 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$227,500
±$11,877 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$714
±$89 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Monroe County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 46,250 residents in Monroe County. The Census Bureau estimates 49,730 for July 1, 2025, up 7.5% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 47,695 over 636 square miles of land.
| Measure | Monroe County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 47,695 | 7,066,383 | +1,631 |
| Households | 19,714±319 | 2,824,277 | +1,727 |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.04 | 2.45 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 21,764±63 | 3,143,670 | +529 |
Monroe County's population since 2000
From 38,961 in 2000 to 49,730 in 2025: up 27.6%. 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 7 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Sweetwater with 6,706 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Sweetwater | 6,312 | $45,451 |
|---|---|---|
| Madisonville | 5,132 | $39,878 |
| Vonore | 1,574 | $58,317 |
| KahiteGEOID 4738765 | 834 | $119,286 |
| Tellico Plains | 762 | $45,625 |
| Rarity Bay | 885 | $84,861 |
| Coker CreekGEOID 4716060 | 150 | not published |
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 45.2 years old; 20.5% are under 18 and 22.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.7%. 2.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Monroe County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.2±0.3 | 38.9 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 20.5% | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.3%±0.2 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.7% | 7.4% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.9%±1.3 pts | 71.0% | −4.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.6 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.7%±1.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.2%±0.4 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.4%±1.0 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9%±1.0 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 22.5%±1.6 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.7%±1.6 pts | 10.0% | +2.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.6%±1.6 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.1%±1.9 pts | 31.1% | +3.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9%±0.9 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 19,714 households earn less than $56,895 a year (±$2,810), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 it was $52,217 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Monroe County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,895±$2,810 | $69,595 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $71,575±$3,926 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,835±$1,377 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.5%±2.2 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.3%±5.6 pts | 18.8% | −8.7 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.5%±2.3 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.1%±2.0 pts | 89.2% | – |
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 72.2% of Monroe County's occupied homes and renters 27.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $227,500 by its owner (±$11,877). The median renter pays $714 a month including utilities, and 40.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Monroe County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $227,500±$11,877 | $286,700 | +$62,956 |
| Median gross rent | $714±$89 | $1,189 | −$108 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.3%±9.0 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,221±$53 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.2%±2.8 pts | 66.9% | −4.5 pts |
| Housing units | 21,764±63 | 3,143,670 | +529 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.7%±1.0 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.2%±2.7 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 21.5%±2.3 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.1%±1.0 pts | 5.6% | – |
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 many new homes is Monroe County building?
Builders took permits for 175 new housing units across Monroe County in 2025 (165 single-family), 3.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Monroe County get to work?
81.4% of Monroe County's workers drive alone and 7.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Monroe County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.9%±1.8 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±1.3 pts | 4.7% | −3.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 81.4%±2.2 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.0%±1.8 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±1.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.3%±1.7 pts | 12.9% | +4.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.3 min±1.4 | 25.7 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 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $39,474 (Tract 9254.02) to $85,907 (Tract 9250.01).
| Tract 9250.0147123925001 | 4,606±633 | $85,907 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9250.0247123925002 | 4,142±501 | $57,420 |
| Tract 9251.0147123925101 | 4,016±670 | $40,480 |
| Tract 9251.0247123925102 | 3,729±448 | $67,917 |
| Tract 925247123925200 | 5,223±560 | $49,241 |
| Tract 9253.0147123925301 | 4,433±739 | $52,620 |
| Tract 9253.0247123925302 | 3,149±352 | $49,056 |
| Tract 9254.0147123925401 | 4,403±714 | $68,856 |
| Tract 9254.0247123925402 | 4,914±469 | $39,474 |
| Tract 9255.0147123925501 | 3,571±563 | $51,488 |
| Tract 9255.0347123925503 | 3,288±574 | $68,114 |
| Tract 9255.0447123925504 | 2,221±375 | $67,917 |
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 Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 34th of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 29th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 47th of 95 |
| Median household income | 55th of 95 |
| Median home value | 38th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 83rd of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 48th of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55th of 95 |
| Median age | 23rd of 95 |
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.