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Monroe Center, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Monroe Center is a small town in Illinois with a population of 415. Residents earn $91,563 per year, which is 22% above the national average.

4.2 /5.0
A Great
415 Population 343/sq mi density
$91,563 Median Income $42,735 per capita
$148,000 Home Value $241,228 Zillow
$878 Median Rent 23.3% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$91,563 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$148,000 home value, $878/mo rent
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $91,563
22% higher than US avg
Home Value $148,000
47% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.3%
25% lower than US avg
Median Rent $878
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.6%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.6%
87% lower than US avg

How Monroe Center Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population415
Median Age40.9 yrs
Density343/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans8.8%

Economy

A+
Median Income$91,563
Per Capita$42,735
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty1.6%
County GDP$1,975M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$148,000
Rent$878
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$241,228
Housing Units183
Rent Burden23.3%

Health

Obesity42.6%
Uninsured9.1%
Smoking17.3%
Depression24.8%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.6 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation844 ft (257 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.3%
High School+97.3%
Graduate+8.1%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 42%
Commute31 min
Broadband89.9%
Libraries2

Is Monroe Center a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Monroe Center receives an overall livability score of 4.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Monroe Center stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Monroe Center is $91,563, 22% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. Only 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Monroe Center is $148,000, 47% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $878 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Monroe Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.6 inches, including 30.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Monroe Center has a population of 415 with a density of 343 people per square mile. The median age is 40.9 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.6%).

Population

415
Total Population
343
People / sq mi
40.9yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.9%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Monroe Center vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Monroe Center vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Monroe Center is $91,563, which is 22% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Monroe Center vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$91,563
22% above US avg
Per Capita Income$42,735
Avg Weekly Wage$1,066
IRS Avg AGI$78,138

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.6%
87% below US avg
Establishments (County)880
County GDP$1,975M

Business (County)

Restaurants75
Healthcare70
Retail90
Manufacturing68

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,648
147% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.6 min
Drive Alone84.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Monroe Center is $148,000, 47% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $878 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $241,228.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$148,000
47% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$241,228

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$132
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio99.9%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$878
25% below US avg
Rent Burden23.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.8%
Housing Units183
Median Year Built1959

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,648
147% above US avg
Effective Rate5.84%
In Monroe Center, 42.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.1% of residents lack health insurance. 17.3% are current smokers. 24.8% report depression. 24.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Monroe Center vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.6%
33% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure33.2%
Asthma10.9%
COPD7.9%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.3%
24% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.7%
Physical Inactivity24.6%
Depression24.8%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress14.0%
Short Sleep37.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Uninsured9.1%
6% above US avg
Checkup Rate75.1%
Dental Visits59.7%
Premature Death6,935/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access77.8%
Healthcare Facilities70
Monroe Center has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.6 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.6 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall30.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation844 ft (257 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density343/sq mi
Coordinates42.0999°N, 88.9944°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17007
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.5-point margin. 89.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.5%
D 42%

Winner: Republican by 14.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.3%
25% below US avg
High School+97.3%
Graduate Degree+8.1%
School Test Score5.34
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density343/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.9%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities70
Restaurants75
Retail Stores90

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.6 min
Drive Alone84.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.0%

Nearby Cities

Davis Junction, IL 2,656 pop · 5.0 mi New Milford, IL 1,183 pop · 6.1 mi Kirkland, IL 1,497 pop · 7.5 mi Cherry Valley, IL 3,268 pop · 9.4 mi Stillman Valley, IL 1,261 pop · 9.5 mi Hillcrest, IL 1,679 pop · 9.8 mi Rockford, IL 147,649 pop · 11.6 mi Belvidere, IL 24,510 pop · 12.7 mi Rochelle, IL 9,477 pop · 13.0 mi Malta, IL 1,507 pop · 13.4 mi Byron, IL 3,742 pop · 14.0 mi Genoa, IL 5,685 pop · 15.4 mi Loves Park, IL 23,185 pop · 16.4 mi Winnebago, IL 2,896 pop · 16.8 mi
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