Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,274. Its county seat is Sparta.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 908 sqmi, of which 901 sqmi is land and 7.4 sqmi (0.8%) is water.

United States Army posts

Adjacent counties

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, the population was 46,274. The population density was 51.4 /mi2. There were 19,769 housing units at an average density of 21.9 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 5.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 40,899 people, 15,399 households, and 10,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 /mi2. There were 16,672 housing units at an average density of 18 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.52% White, 0.46% Black or African American, 0.92% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.5% were of German, 13.4% Norwegian, 7.6% Irish, 6.3% American and 5.0% English ancestry. 92.9% spoke English, 3.1% German and 2.2% Spanish as their first language. There were 15,399 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11. In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.10% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.60 males. In 2017, there were 534 births, giving a general fertility rate of 67.9 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 21st highest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Of these, 43 of the births occurred at home. Additionally, there were 21 reported induced abortions performed on women of Monroe County residence in 2017. In 2010, the reported adherence figures for the largest religious groups in Monroe County were Catholic at 9,250 adherents, Wisconsin Synod Lutheran at 3,102 adherents, ELCA Lutheran at 2,297 adherents, Amish at 1,627 adherents, LCMC Lutheran at 1,270 adherents, and United Methodist at 1,155 adherents.

Transportation

Major highways

Railroads

Buses

Airports

Communities

Cities

Villages

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Economy

Largest employers

Politics

For most of its existence, Monroe County has favored the Republican Party. Since 1936, only four Democrats have won the county in presidential races.