1st Advantage MortgageThe median Monroe County household earns $56,750, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Monroe County by the numbers
- Monroe County's most unusual numbers
- The $56,750 median and what sits around it
- Jobs and commutes in Monroe County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Monroe County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Census places in Monroe County
- People and households in Monroe County
- What a median Monroe County budget can carry
- Local borrowing considerations for Monroe County
- Who licenses lenders for Monroe County residents
- Before you sign
- Other West Virginia guides
- Frequently asked questions
Monroe County by the numbers
Monroe County is home to about 12,386 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 40th most populous of 55 county-level areas in West Virginia. Land area is 473 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 26 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Monroe County is not part of any metropolitan area. Largest place: Alderson, about 1,383 residents (11% of Monroe County); 3 Census places in all.
Monroe County's most unusual numbers
Out of every West Virginia county, Monroe County is most unusual on these measures.
- On homeownership, Monroe County sits near the top of West Virginia at 87%, 4th highest of 55. Most households here own, so home equity is often an alternative to weigh.
- Few West Virginia counties match Monroe County on the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 35% here, 17% for the state, ranking 6th highest of 55. With long commutes, a reliable car is part of keeping the job.
- The housing vacancy rate: 26% in Monroe County. Only 9 of 55 West Virginia counties are higher. Many empty units can point to seasonal housing.
The $56,750 median and what sits around it
At $56,750, the typical Monroe County household income is 14% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Monroe County | Difference from West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.8% | -0.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 51.0% | +8.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.4% | -5.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.7% | -3.2 pts |
30% under $35,000 and 19% at $100,000 or more: that is the Monroe County income split. Monroe County counts about 1,730 residents below the poverty line, 14.0% of the population. Monroe County scores 0.398 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. 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.
Jobs and commutes in Monroe County
Top Monroe County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 29%; second, manufacturing, 20%. Relative to West Virginia (8%), manufacturing is 12 points bigger in Monroe County (20%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.8% in Monroe County. About 82% drive to work alone and 35% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 6.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Monroe County | Gap to West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.0% | +11.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | +0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.0% | -4.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.9% | +0.8 pts |
| Construction | 6.5% | -0.2 pts |
Self-employed in Monroe County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Rent, home values and ownership in Monroe County
Half of Monroe County renters pay more than $690 a month and half pay less; the West Virginia midpoint is $872. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 9% spend half or more. Median value $156,300; median income $56,750; ratio 2.8. The ownership rate is 87%. Against the median U.S. county, Monroe County rent is 21% below.
| Housing | Monroe County | West Virginia statewide | Monroe County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 87% | 75% | +12.0 pts |
| Vacant units | 26% | 15% | +10.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | -8.0 pts |
| Median gross rent | $690/mo | $872/mo | 21% lower |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | +1.6 pts |
| Median home value | $156,300 | $162,600 | 4% lower |
With 87% of Monroe County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Distances run center to center, from Summers County at 18 miles out to Montgomery County at 28. Roanoke County leads the group on income ($83,709), Summers County trails ($40,699), and Monroe County out-earns 2 of the six. The list crosses into Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | - | $56,750 | $690/mo | 87% |
| Summers County, WV | 18 mi | $40,699 | $915/mo | 81% |
| Giles County, VA | 18 mi | $65,691 | $789/mo | 79% |
| Craig County, VA | 18 mi | $69,057 | $713/mo | 84% |
| Roanoke County, VA | 25 mi | $83,709 | $1,224/mo | 76% |
| Greenbrier County, WV | 26 mi | $48,218 | $868/mo | 73% |
| Montgomery County, VA | 28 mi | $72,715 | $1,240/mo | 55% |
Census places in Monroe County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Monroe County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 2,453 residents, leaving about 80% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alderson | town | 1,383 | $32,212 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Peterstown | town | 594 | $38,750 | $621 | 17 mi |
| Union | town | 476 | $35,000 | $615 | 3 mi |
People and households in Monroe County
Degree holders: 15% of adults over 25. Uninsured, Monroe County: 7.1%; West Virginia: 6.0%.
| People and households | Monroe County | Compared with West Virginia | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.4% | -8.7 pts | -6.7 pts |
| Work from home | 5.4% | -3.6 pts | -3.2 pts |
| Median age | 46.2 | +3.5 yrs | +4.7 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 14.0% | -2.7 pts | +0.8 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.3% | -1.7 pts | +0.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 12.4% | +1.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.1% | +1.1 pts | -0.8 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | -0.7 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Minutes to work | Monroe County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 13.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.3% |
| 60+ min | 23.1% |
What a median Monroe County budget can carry
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.
- $56,750 a year is $4,729 of gross monthly income
- 15% goes to median rent ($690)
- $1,012: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $690, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Monroe County
Based on the Monroe County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Vehicle repairs. 35% of Monroe County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 15% of Monroe County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Age 46.2 at the median. Many Monroe County applicants document income with award letters; ask about early payoff.
Who licenses lenders for Monroe County residents
Consumer lenders serving Monroe County are licensed by the state, not the county; in West Virginia that is the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions. Nationally, Monroe County residents can file with the CFPB. More on West Virginia: West Virginia personal loans.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Monroe County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the West Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Other West Virginia guides
The West Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monroe County a high-income county?
Its $56,750 median ranks 26th of 55 West Virginia counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Monroe County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $690 a month; 41% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Monroe County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 87% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Is Union covered?
Yes. Union is one of 3 Census places in Monroe County, and this guide covers all of them.
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.