Bedford
RANK #205 / 996 NAT · #23 / 36 MI · POP 154,823
1YR FORECAST: +3.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 79/100, Monroe County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.4%, and median household income stands at $72,573 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MI.
By national standards, Monroe County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $202,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $996/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Monroe County are hiring — job growth of +1.4% — but the population is close to flat (+0.5% YoY). Home values moved +6.5% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.54% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Monroe County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Monroe County is now valued at $202,200. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.