Monroe County Demographics

A map of Monroe County's Population by Race

Monroe County, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 167,515, a less than 1% change from the 168,327 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 60.4% White, 18.2% Hispanic, 13.0% Black, 4.3% Multiracial, 2.6% Asian, and 1.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Monroe County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Monroe has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Pennsylvania overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Monroe County, that probability was 56.4% in 2020 and 58.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Monroe County is ranked the 20th most populous county in Pennsylvania, out of 67 counties. Monroe County was ranked the 20th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Monroe County's White Population

101,195 residents of Monroe County, or 60.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Monroe County is considerably lower than in Pennsylvania overall, where 73% of the population is White. Monroe County ranks 64th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monroe County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.4%. White residents' share of Monroe County's population has decreased from 62.2% to 60.4%.

Monroe County is less White than neighboring Northampton County (72% White), Carbon County (87.9% White), Warren County (74.6% White), Pike County (76.9% White), and Lackawanna County (79.6% White).

Monroe County's Black Population

21,773 residents of Monroe County, or 13.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Monroe County is slightly higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 10.3% of the population is Black. Monroe County ranks 5th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monroe County's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.6%. Black residents' share of Monroe County's population has decreased from 13.6% to 13.0%.

Monroe County is more Black than neighboring Northampton County (5.7% Black), Carbon County (1.9% Black), Warren County (5.6% Black), Pike County (5.6% Black), and Lackawanna County (3% Black).

Monroe County's Asian Population

4,291 residents of Monroe County, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Monroe County is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.8% of the population is Asian. Monroe County ranks 16th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monroe County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 8.7%. Asian residents' share of Monroe County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.6%.

Monroe County is more Asian than neighboring Carbon County (0.6% Asian), and Pike County (1.3% Asian). Monroe County is less Asian than neighboring Northampton County (3% Asian), Warren County (3% Asian), and Lackawanna County (3% Asian).

Monroe County's Hispanic Population

30,408 residents of Monroe County, or 18.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Monroe County is higher than in Pennsylvania overall, where 8.7% of the population is Hispanic. Monroe County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monroe County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Monroe County's population has increased from 17.0% to 18.2%.

Monroe County is more Hispanic than neighboring Northampton County (15.5% Hispanic), Carbon County (6.9% Hispanic), Warren County (13% Hispanic), Pike County (12.4% Hispanic), and Lackawanna County (9.8% Hispanic).

Monroe County's Native American/Other Population

2,688 residents of Monroe County, or 1.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Monroe County is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Monroe County ranks 1st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monroe County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 53.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Monroe County's population has increased from 1.0% to 1.6%.

Monroe County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Northampton County (0.6% Native American/Other), Carbon County (0.1% Native American/Other), Warren County (0.3% Native American/Other), Pike County (0.3% Native American/Other), and Lackawanna County (0.7% Native American/Other).

Monroe County's Multiracial Population

7,160 residents of Monroe County, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Monroe County is comparable to the share in Pennsylvania overall, where 3.6% of the population is Multiracial. Monroe County ranks 12th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Monroe County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 9.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Monroe County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.3%.

Monroe County is more Multiracial than neighboring Northampton County (3.2% Multiracial), Carbon County (2.6% Multiracial), Warren County (3.5% Multiracial), Pike County (3.4% Multiracial), and Lackawanna County (3.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.