RANK #519 / 996 · POP 140,065 · IN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.7%
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.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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 996 counties.
Monroe County has a Boom Town Index score of 48/100, ranking #519 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.2% and a median household income of $60,308, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Monroe County is $240,600 with median rent at $1,105/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2507, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.2%. Home values changed +2.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 7.53% of Monroe County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.