1st Advantage MortgageAbout 85% of Monroe County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $102,880. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Monroe County at a glance
- Employment and commuting in Monroe County
- Paychecks and income spread in Monroe County
- Housing costs in Monroe County
- How Monroe County compares with nearby counties
- Towns and communities in Monroe County
- Room for a loan payment in Monroe County
- What the numbers mean for Monroe County borrowers
- Monroe County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Four steps for Monroe County borrowers
- Illinois rules that apply in Monroe County
- More guides for Monroe County
- Frequently asked questions
Monroe County at a glance
Monroe County is home to about 35,036 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 40th most populous of 102 county-level areas in Illinois. It covers 385 square miles of land, or about 91 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Waterloo, with about 11,129 residents, or 32% of the county.
Employment and commuting in Monroe County
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 8% locally and 5% for Illinois. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.9% in Monroe County. Long commutes are common here: 19% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 4.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Monroe County share | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.8% | -0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.3% | +1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.9% | -0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 9.0% | +1.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.6% | -4.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | -0.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Paychecks and income spread in Monroe County
Monroe County households have a median income of $102,880 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 7th of 102 in Illinois.
| Households earning | Monroe County | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.9% | -6.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.4% | -3.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 35.0% | +6.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 16.7% | +2.9 pts |
About 15% of households earn under $35,000, while 52% clear $100,000. 5.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.8%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Monroe County median.
Housing costs in Monroe County
A typical Monroe County rental runs $1,042 a month including utilities, which is 18% below Illinois. By the Census definition, 47% of Monroe County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $282,100, or 2.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 85%. Half the housing stock was built before 1990.
| Home costs | Monroe County | Illinois | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,042/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $282,100 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.9% | 2.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 6% | 8% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
How Monroe County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Monroe County's, from 19 to 29 miles away. None of the six report a higher median household income than Monroe County; St. Louis County is highest at $82,936 and St. Louis city lowest at $56,160. The list crosses into Missouri, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | - | $102,880 | $1,042/mo | 85% |
| St. Clair County, IL | 19 mi | $73,854 | $1,090/mo | 68% |
| Jefferson County, MO | 20 mi | $82,851 | $979/mo | 82% |
| Randolph County, IL | 25 mi | $68,131 | $780/mo | 77% |
| St. Louis city, MO | 25 mi | $56,160 | $997/mo | 45% |
| Ste. Genevieve County, MO | 27 mi | $66,339 | $780/mo | 83% |
| St. Louis County, MO | 29 mi | $82,936 | $1,209/mo | 69% |
Towns and communities in Monroe County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Monroe County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 23,944 residents, leaving about 32% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Columbia has the highest median household income on the list ($107,606) and Hecker the lowest ($79,583), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Waterloo ($886) and steepest in Valmeyer ($1,145). None of the 6 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | city | 11,129 | $98,711 | $886 | 5 mi |
| Columbia | city | 11,127 | $107,606 | $1,128 | 13 mi |
| Valmeyer | village | 1,090 | $94,821 | $1,145 | 7 mi |
| Hecker | village | 521 | $79,583 | $1,014 | 10 mi |
| Maeystown | village | 65 | $98,750 | $795 | 4 mi |
| Fults | village | 12 | $101,250 | n/a | 8 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Monroe County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Monroe County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $8,573 a month: gross income for a household at the Monroe County median
- Less median rent of $1,042, which is 12% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $2,044 left for all other debt payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $2,645 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Monroe County's.
What the numbers mean for Monroe County borrowers
Where the Monroe County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Keeping the car running. At 19% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Monroe County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Consolidation math. With 52% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- 47% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Monroe County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 39% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 2.5%, against 6.9% for Illinois.
| Residents | Monroe County | Illinois | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 38.7% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.0% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.5% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.6% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.0% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.9% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Monroe County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 30.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.6% |
| 60+ min | 5.0% |
Four steps for Monroe County borrowers
Steps that save money for Monroe County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Monroe County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Illinois rules that apply in Monroe County
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is the place to verify any lender's Illinois license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Illinois: Illinois personal loans.
More guides for Monroe County
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Monroe County earn?
The median is $102,880; 52% earn $100,000 or more and 15% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Monroe County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,042 against $1,274 statewide, and 47% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Monroe County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 85% of Monroe County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Monroe County?
By population: Waterloo, Columbia, Valmeyer, Hecker, Maeystown. The county has 6 Census places in all.
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.