Monroe, LA Metro Area

Monroe, LA · Metro Area

223,674Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 4 counties (1 central, 3 outlying), part of the Monroe-Ruston, LA combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $51,660
Median home value: $170,300
Land area: 2,838 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Ouachita Parish, LA	Central	158,480	$54,688	$194,400
Morehouse Parish, LA	Outlying	24,551	$39,454	$118,800
Union Parish, LA	Outlying	20,821	$42,885	$112,500
Richland Parish, LA	Outlying	19,822	$53,544	$141,900

Largest cities and towns

26 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Monroe, LA	City	47,004	$40,505
Claiborne, LA	CDP	13,308	$72,420
West Monroe, LA	City	12,729	$49,386
Bastrop, LA	City	9,232	$32,605
Brownsville, LA	CDP	4,357	$35,526
Swartz, LA	CDP	4,110	$67,287
Richwood, LA	Town	3,839	$31,680
Lakeshore, LA	CDP	3,437	$48,214
Farmerville, LA	Town	3,407	$26,356
Rayville, LA	Town	3,261	$27,273
Bawcomville, LA	CDP	2,804	$24,929
Delhi, LA	Town	2,573	$52,132
Sterlington, LA	Town	2,229	$69,007
Bernice, LA	Town	1,355	$26,399
Start, LA	CDP	852	$110,278
Mangham, LA	Town	638	$42,763
Marion, LA	Town	539	$28,452
Junction City, LA	Village	525	—
Mer Rouge, LA	Village	437	$56,583
Calhoun, LA	CDP	420	$138,372
Collinston, LA	Village	347	$46,250
Downsville, LA	Village	223	$69,028
Bonita, LA	Village	164	$25,694
Lillie, LA	Village	133	$53,750
Spearsville, LA	Village	93	$44,375

Also in the Monroe-Ruston, LA combined area

Ruston, LA · micro · 48,174

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

24.5%

Unemployment

6.9%

College Educated

24.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$51,660

Mean Household Income

$76,607

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.4%

Female

51.6%

Population Split

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English9.8%

Irish6.5%

German3.9%

French2.2%

Mexican1.8%

Italian1.5%

Scottish1.3%

African0.5%

Polish0.3%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

2.0%Foreign Born

98.0%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized40.6%

Non-Citizen59.4%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later54.2%

Before 201045.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

102,235

Median Rent

$931/mo

Median Home Value

$170,300

Median Year Built

1982

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

55,398

College Enrollment

20.5%

High School

21.2%

College Educated

24.6%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

23.5 min

Drive Alone Rate

80.0%

Public Transit

0.7%

Work From Home

7.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

24.0%

18-34 Years

22.3%

35-64 Years

36.6%

65+ Years

17.1%

Population Composition

Under 1824.0%

18-3422.3%

35-6436.6%

65+17.1%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

41.1%

Single Parent

10.1%

Living Alone

31.5%

Avg Size

2.49

Household Types

Married Couples41.1%

Single Parent10.1%

Living Alone31.5%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$30,966

SNAP Usage

21.4%

Health Insurance

92.6%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k27.9%

$25k - $50k21.0%

$50k - $100k26.1%

$100k+24.9%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

8.6%

Retail Trade

11.4%

Education & Health Care

28.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

16.0%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

92.6%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

80.3%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

91.5%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

83.6

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

160.7

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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