1st Advantage MortgageIn Monroe County, Alabama, the typical household earns $42,292 a year and the typical rent is $666. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Alabama license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Monroe County
- Monroe County's most unusual numbers
- Renting and owning in Monroe County
- The Monroe County job picture
- The $42,292 median and what sits around it
- Monroe County next to its neighbors
- Places inside Monroe County
- More Monroe County figures
- Borrowing situations common in Monroe County
- Budget math at the Monroe County median
- Lender oversight for Monroe County
- Checklist for Monroe County applicants
- Other Alabama guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Monroe County
With an estimated 19,388 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Monroe County ranks 46th of 67 in Alabama for population. Density: about 18.9 residents per square mile across 1,026 square miles of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Monroe County is not part of any metropolitan area. Monroeville (5,802 people) heads the county's list of 8 Census places, 5 incorporated and 3 census-designated.
Monroe County's most unusual numbers
- The share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 12% in Monroe County. Only 2 of 67 Alabama counties are lower. No degree is required for a personal loan; documented income is.
- The housing vacancy rate: 28% in Monroe County. Only 5 of 67 Alabama counties are higher. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Monroe County sits near the top of Alabama at 10.4%, 6th highest of 67. Job gaps can make income hard to document; gather records first.
Renting and owning in Monroe County
A typical Monroe County rental runs $666 a month including utilities, which is 34% below Alabama. About 5 in 10 Monroe County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. With a median value of $120,600, a typical Monroe County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 72%, renters 28%. Median construction year: 1984.
| Measure | Monroe County | Alabama | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $666/mo | $1,007/mo | 34% lower |
| Median home value | $120,600 | $209,900 | 43% lower |
| Owners | 72% | 70% | +1.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 49% | +2.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 24% | +7.7 pts |
| Mobile homes | 21.4% | 12.3% | +9.1 pts |
| Vacant units | 28% | 15% | +13.3 pts |
51% of Monroe County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
The Monroe County job picture
Manufacturing (22%), education and health care (17%) and retail trade (12%) lead Monroe County's job mix. Monroe County over-indexes on manufacturing: 22% versus 14% in Alabama. Averaged over the five survey years, 10.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Monroe County workers | vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 22.2% | +8.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.7% | -5.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +0.6 pts |
| Construction | 8.9% | +1.9 pts |
| Public administration | 7.4% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.2% | -0.9 pts |
Self-employed in Monroe County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
The $42,292 median and what sits around it
At $42,292, the typical Monroe County household income is 36% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 57 Alabama counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Monroe County | +/- vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 41.8% | +13.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.7% | -1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.8% | -6.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.7% | -6.0 pts |
Six-figure households (18%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (42%) in Monroe County. 20.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 15.6%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Monroe County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (25 to 50 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Monroe County; Washington County is highest at $61,042 and Wilcox County lowest at $40,640.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | - | $42,292 | $666/mo | 72% |
| Conecuh County, AL | 25 mi | $41,327 | $834/mo | 74% |
| Clarke County, AL | 27 mi | $49,249 | $782/mo | 71% |
| Wilcox County, AL | 29 mi | $40,640 | $745/mo | 77% |
| Escambia County, AL | 34 mi | $48,225 | $766/mo | 71% |
| Butler County, AL | 43 mi | $44,755 | $725/mo | 66% |
| Washington County, AL | 50 mi | $61,042 | $655/mo | 86% |
Places inside Monroe County
Places, by size: the top 8 of 8. Roughly 57% of Monroe County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Incomes vary by place: $57,375 at the median in Excel, $32,513 in Monroeville. Rent is cheapest in Monroeville ($577) and steepest in Frisco City ($698). Monroeville and every other Monroe County community use this county guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroeville | city | 5,802 | $32,513 | $577 | 6 mi |
| Frisco City | town | 1,416 | $36,023 | $698 | 10 mi |
| Excel | town | 524 | $57,375 | $582 | 11 mi |
| Uriah | CDP | 199 | $126,563 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Beatrice | town | 182 | $37,292 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Vredenburgh | town | 65 | $35,750 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Megargel | CDP | 46 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Peterman | CDP | 19 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
More Monroe County figures
In Monroe County, 12% of adults have at least a four-year degree (28% in Alabama). The uninsured rate is 9.1%, against 9.2% for Alabama.
| People and households | Monroe County | Compared with Alabama | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.7% | -16.7 pts | -10.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 10.4% | +5.7 pts | +6.0 pts |
| Work from home | 3.4% | -5.4 pts | -5.2 pts |
| Median age | 44.2 | +4.9 yrs | +2.7 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 15.9% | +4.5 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 20.1% | +4.5 pts | +6.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | -1.1 pts | -1.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 9.1% | -0.1 pts | +1.3 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.8% |
| 60+ min | 11.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Monroe County
- Manufactured housing (21%). Monroe County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Assistance before credit. With a 20% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Monroe County loan.
- 51% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Budget math at the Monroe County median
Here is the Monroe County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Monroe County: $3,524
- Housing at the median rent of $666 uses 19%
- Under a 40% cap, $1,410 total minus rent leaves $744
If your rent is above $666, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Lender oversight for Monroe County
Monroe County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Alabama State Banking Department. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender.
Checklist for Monroe County applicants
Steps that save money for Monroe County residents:
- Price the Monroe County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Other Alabama guides
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monroe County a high-income county?
Its $42,292 median ranks 58th of 67 Alabama counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Can a Monroe County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $666 median rent and $3,524 median monthly income, rent alone uses 19%; add other debts before a new payment.
Does this page cover Monroeville?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Monroe County, such as Frisco City, Excel, Uriah.
Are Monroe County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Monroe County?
Start with the Alabama State Banking Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.