Monroe County, Wisconsin Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Monroe County
U.S. county
Monroe County Courthouse in Sparta
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
Founded	1854 DT Moseley was the first white child born to settlers in Monroe County.
Named for	James Monroe
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 (2010)
• Total	44,673
• Estimate (2020)	46,582
• Density	49.199/sq mi (18.996/km²)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts	3rd, 7th

Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 44,673. Its county seat is Sparta.

Geography
- United States Army posts
- Adjacent counties
Demographics
Transportation
Communities
Images for kids
See also

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.

United States Army posts

Fort McCoy, Wisconsin

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
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 (est.)	46,582	4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Monroe County.

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 people per square mile (18/km²). There were 16,672 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/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 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.