Monroe, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Monroe, North Carolina is 35,596 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 29th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $67,265, the median home value is $270,600, and the median age is 36.5.
The population has grown 21.4% since 2010 (32,986 → 40,054).
35,596
Population
1106
People / sq mi
$67,265
Median Income
$270,600
Median Home Value
Monroe covers 32.2 sq mi of land at 1106 people per square mile.
About Monroe, NC
Monroe is a city in North Carolina with a population of 35,596. It ranks #29 among cities in North Carolina by population. The median age is 36.5, younger than the national median. The population is 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
The median household income in Monroe is $67,265, below the US median of $74,580. 11.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $270,600, with monthly rent averaging $1,216. The homeownership rate of 58.4% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Monroe reflects 21.6% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 5.5% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 29.9 minutes each way.
Monroe city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Monroe city had a population of 32,986 in 2010 and 40,054 in 2024, a 21.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 40,054 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.41%.
40,054
Population (2024)
32,986
Population (2010)
40,054
Peak (2024)
1.41%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 32,986 |
| 2011 | 33,288 |
| 2012 | 33,591 |
| 2013 | 33,820 |
| 2014 | 34,192 |
| 2015 | 34,423 |
| 2016 | 34,779 |
| 2017 | 35,225 |
| 2018 | 35,415 |
| 2019 | 35,540 |
| 2020 | 34,685 |
| 2021 | 35,059 |
| 2022 | 36,078 |
| 2023 | 37,950 |
| 2024 | 40,054 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 48.2% |
| Black or African American | 21.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$67,265
Median Household Income
$29,277
Per Capita Income
11.0%
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$270,600
Median Home Value
$1,216
Median Rent
58.4%
Owner-Occupied
Education
81.5%
High School+
21.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
74.9%
Public Transit
5.5%
Work From Home
29.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
34.3%
Foreign Born
69.5%
Non-English at Home
6.3%
Veterans
12.4%
With Disability
82.2%
Health Insurance
92.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Construction | 15.6% |
| Manufacturing | 15.1% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 15.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.1% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 8.8% |
| Retail Trade | 6.1% |
| Information | 4.8% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.6% |
| Public Administration | 2.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.7% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Monroe, North Carolina has a population of 35,596 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 29th-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Monroe, North Carolina is $67,265, with 11.0% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Monroe, North Carolina is $270,600, with median monthly rent at $1,216 and a homeownership rate of 58.4%.
The median age in Monroe, North Carolina is 36.5 years. The population is 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
The population has grown 21.4% since 2010 (32,986 → 40,054).
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Full rankings of North Carolina cities by population
Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.