The Monroe metro is home to 224,705 people (up 25.8% over five years), with a median household income of $49,203. Typical rent of $1,180/month works out to 28.8% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Monroe's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 27.9% |
| Retail trade | 11.9% |
| Professional & management | 8.2% |
| Manufacturing | 7.9% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 7.6% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 28.8% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Monroe market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,180/month suggests a household income around $47,000/year. The metro's median household income is $49,203.
By workforce share: Education & health care (27.9%), Retail trade (11.9%), Professional & management (8.2%) (Census ACS 5-year).