RANK #763 / 1001 NAT · #25 / 28 IN · POP 140,965
1YR FORECAST: +0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Monroe County, Indiana, is often recognized for Bloomington, home to Indiana University, a prominent academic institution. Located in south-central Indiana, about 50 miles south of Indianapolis, the county offers a blend of urban amenities and natural scenery. Commutes within Bloomington average around 16 minutes, shorter than the national average. The community has a college-town atmosphere in Bloomington, while towns like Ellettsville and Stinesville offer a small-town feel. Outdoor recreation is a draw, with Monroe Lake, Indiana's largest lake, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. Numerous parks and nature preserves, including Griffy Lake and Charles C. Deam Wilderness, offer hiking and other activities.
Monroe County attracts a diverse population, including families and retirees, though it sees more retirees than working-age individuals. The economy is influenced by higher education, particularly Indiana University, which is a major employer. While the higher education sector has faced recent challenges, the private business sector has shown growth, particularly in areas like life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Tourism also contributes to the local economy, with visitors drawn to the county's cultural amenities and outdoor recreation. The Monroe County Community School Corporation and Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation serve the area, with public schools generally receiving high ratings.
Monroe County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.1% YoY, population +0.8%, wages +4.2%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Simtra BioPharma Solutions Expansion
Simtra BioPharma Solutions
|
$580M | Under Construction |
|
Catalent Investment
Catalent
|
$350M | Operating |
|
Phoenix (Packaging Company) Investment
Phoenix
|
$56M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 23/100, Monroe County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $65,868 combined with job growth of +0.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Monroe County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $285,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.23 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,193/month on average.
Monroe County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.9%). Home values shifted +2.1% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 7.67% of Monroe County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.