RANK #225 / 996 · POP 154,823 · MI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.9%
Monroe County, Michigan, distinguishes itself with its Lake Erie shoreline and the historic city of Monroe, which played a significant role in the War of 1812 and is home to the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. Located about 30 miles south of Detroit and 17 miles north of Toledo, Ohio, the county offers a blend of small-town charm and convenient access to larger metropolitan areas. Commuting is generally manageable, with major interstates like I-75 and US-23 providing connections, and local transit options like Lake Erie Transit serving the area. The community embraces its natural surroundings, with Sterling State Park providing Michigan's only state park on Lake Erie, offering extensive outdoor recreation including fishing, boating, and miles of trails.
Life in Monroe County offers a relaxed pace, appealing to families and individuals seeking a balance between natural scenery and accessibility. Public schools in the county are generally above average, with districts like Dundee Community Schools and Whiteford Agricultural Schools receiving favorable ratings. The local economy is diverse, with ongoing investments in sectors such as data centers and energy. Efforts are also underway to address housing needs through new construction initiatives. The county's economic development focuses on attracting new enterprises and supporting existing businesses, leveraging its position as a logistics hub with access to major transportation infrastructure.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Cherry Blossom Data Center
Cloverleaf Infrastructure
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Monroe I Energy Center (Battery Storage)
DTE Electric Co.
|
$350M | Approved |
|
Fermi Energy Center (Battery Storage)
DTE Electric Co.
|
$200M | Approved |
|
Azalia Solar
Apex Clean Energy
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Strasburg Solar Park
DTE Energy
|
$100M | Planned |
|
I-75 Rebuilding Project
MDOT
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Monroe County has a Boom Town Index score of 78/100, ranking #225 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.4% and a median household income of $72,573, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Monroe County is $202,200 with median rent at $996/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3589, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.4%. Home values changed +6.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.54% of Monroe County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.