Monroe County, Wisconsin

Not to be confused with Monroe, Wisconsin.

Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,274.^[4] Its county seat is Sparta.^[5]

Monroe County
County
Monroe County Courthouse in Sparta
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°57′N 90°37′W
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
Founded	1854 DT Moseley was the first white child born to settlers in Monroe County.
Named after	James Monroe[1]
Seat	Sparta
Largest city	Sparta
Area
• Total	908 sq mi (2,350 km2)
• Land	901 sq mi (2,330 km2)
• Water	7.4 sq mi (19 km2)  0.8%
Population  (2020)[2]
• Total	46,274
• Estimate  (2024)[3]	46,370
• Density	51.5/sq mi (19.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts	3rd, 7th
Website	www.co.monroe.wi.us

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 908 square miles (2,350 km²), of which 901 square miles (2,330 km²) is land and 7.4 square miles (19 km²) (0.8%) is water.^[6]

United States Army posts

• Fort McCoy, Wisconsin

Adjacent counties

• Jackson County – north
• Juneau County – east
• Vernon County – south
• La Crosse County – west

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	8,410		—
1870	16,550		96.8%
1880	21,607		30.6%
1890	23,211		7.4%
1900	28,103		21.1%
1910	28,881		2.8%
1920	28,666		−0.7%
1930	28,739		0.3%
1940	30,080		4.7%
1950	31,378		4.3%
1960	31,241		−0.4%
1970	31,610		1.2%
1980	35,074		11.0%
1990	36,633		4.4%
2000	40,899		11.6%
2010	44,673		9.2%
2020	46,274		3.6%
2024 (est.)	46,370		0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[4]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020,^[2] the population was 46,274. The population density was 51.4 people per square mile (19.8 people/km²). There were 19,769 housing units at an average density of 21.9 units per square mile (8.5 units/km²). 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

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Monroe County.

As of the census^[11] of 2000, there were 40,899 people, 15,399 households, and 10,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile (17 people/km²). There were 16,672 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9 units/km²). 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.^[12] Additionally, there were 21 reported induced abortions performed on women of Monroe County residence in 2017.^[13]

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.^[14]

Transportation

Major highways

• Interstate 90
• Interstate 94
• U.S. Highway 12
• Highway 16 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 21 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 27 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 33 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 71 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 131 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 162 (Wisconsin)
• Highway 173 (Wisconsin)

Railroads

• Canadian Pacific
• Union Pacific
• Amtrak
• Tomah station

Buses

• Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit

Airports

• Sparta/Fort McCoy Airport
• Bloyer Field Airport (Y72)

Communities

Monroe County sign on Interstate 90

Cities

• Sparta (county seat)
• Tomah

Villages

• Cashton
• Kendall
• Melvina
• Norwalk
• Oakdale
• Warrens
• Wilton
• Wyeville

Towns

• Adrian
• Angelo
• Byron
• Clifton
• Glendale
• Grant
• Greenfield
• Jefferson
• La Grange
• Lafayette
• Leon
• Lincoln
• Little Falls
• New Lyme
• Oakdale
• Portland
• Ridgeville
• Scott
• Sheldon
• Sparta
• Tomah
• Wellington
• Wells
• Wilton

Census-designated places

• Cataract
• Tunnel City

Unincorporated communities

• Angelo
• Clifton
• Farmers Valley
• Four Corners
• Glendale
• Jacksonville
• Kirby
• Leon
• Norway Ridge
• Oil City
• Portland
• Raymore
• Ridgeville
• St. Mary's
• Scotts Junction
• Shennington
• Spring Bank Park
• Valley Junction

Economy

Walmart distribution center in Tomah, Wisconsin

Toro plant in Tomah, Wisconsin

Largest employers

1. Tomah VA Medical Center
2. Dept. of Defense
3. Walmart distribution center
4. Toro
5. County of Monroe
6. Northern Engraving
7. Century Foods
8. Cardinal Glass Industries
9. Wal-Mart stores
10. Tomah Memorial Hospital^[15]

Politics

United States presidential election results for Monroe County, Wisconsin^[16]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	14,563	62.32%	8,476	36.27%	330	1.41%
2020	13,775	60.92%	8,433	37.30%	403	1.78%
2016	11,356	57.65%	7,052	35.80%	1,291	6.55%
2012	9,675	49.65%	9,515	48.83%	295	1.51%
2008	8,666	45.25%	10,198	53.25%	288	1.50%
2004	10,375	53.06%	8,973	45.89%	206	1.05%
2000	8,217	50.30%	7,460	45.67%	658	4.03%
1996	5,299	36.29%	6,924	47.42%	2,377	16.28%
1992	6,118	36.41%	6,427	38.24%	4,260	25.35%
1988	7,073	52.06%	6,437	47.38%	75	0.55%
1984	8,227	59.26%	5,567	40.10%	90	0.65%
1980	8,136	51.87%	6,521	41.58%	1,027	6.55%
1976	7,242	51.85%	6,465	46.28%	261	1.87%
1972	7,625	66.68%	3,640	31.83%	171	1.50%
1968	6,938	57.74%	4,012	33.39%	1,065	8.86%
1964	5,126	44.48%	6,385	55.41%	13	0.11%
1960	7,410	58.87%	5,161	41.00%	16	0.13%
1956	7,460	63.16%	4,311	36.50%	40	0.34%
1952	8,744	69.98%	3,717	29.75%	34	0.27%
1948	5,347	50.97%	4,970	47.38%	173	1.65%
1944	7,277	64.09%	4,013	35.34%	64	0.56%
1940	8,042	62.52%	4,673	36.33%	148	1.15%
1936	4,695	39.10%	6,491	54.06%	822	6.85%
1932	3,022	30.36%	6,757	67.88%	175	1.76%
1928	5,936	60.83%	3,709	38.01%	114	1.17%
1924	2,661	26.70%	428	4.30%	6,876	69.00%
1920	6,784	83.29%	977	12.00%	384	4.71%
1916	3,013	57.58%	1,991	38.05%	229	4.38%
1912	1,841	38.13%	2,084	43.16%	903	18.70%
1908	3,304	58.11%	2,155	37.90%	227	3.99%
1904	3,892	66.77%	1,749	30.01%	188	3.23%
1900	3,709	60.31%	2,247	36.54%	194	3.15%
1896	3,683	59.46%	2,361	38.12%	150	2.42%
1892	2,530	47.14%	2,458	45.80%	379	7.06%

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

Education

School districts include:^[17]

• Bangor School District
• Black River Falls School District
• Cashton School District
• Hillsboro School District
• Melrose-Mindoro School District
• New Lisbon School District
• Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District
• Royall School District
• Sparta Area School District
• Tomah Area School District
• Westby Area School District

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Monroe County, Wisconsin