Monroe, Connecticut | |
|---|---|
 Gazebo in front of town hall | |
 Seal | |
 Fairfield County and Connecticut Greater Bridgeport Planning Region and Connecticut | |
 Show Monroe Show Connecticut Show the United States | |
| Coordinates:41°20′10″N73°13′33″W / 41.33611°N 73.22583°W /41.33611; -73.22583 | |
| Country | United States |
| U.S. state | Connecticut |
| County | Fairfield |
| Region | CT Metropolitan |
| Settled | 1671 |
| incorporated | 1823 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Selectman-town council |
| • First Selectman | Terrence P. Rooney[1] |
| • Town Council | |
| Area | |
• Total | 26.3 sq mi (68.1 km2) |
| • Land | 26.1 sq mi (67.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0.19 sq mi (0.5 km2) |
| Elevation | 522 ft (159 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 18,825 |
| • Density | 721.3/sq mi (278.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP Code | 06468 |
| Area codes | 203/475 |
| FIPS code | 09-48620 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213463 |
| Website | www |
Monroe is atown located in easternFairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 18,825 at the2020 census.[4] The town is part of theGreater Bridgeport Planning Region.
Monroe is largely considered a bedroom community ofNew York City,New Haven,Stamford andBridgeport.
Monroe contains the villages ofStepney, Stevenson and Monroe Center.
On May 15, 1656, the Court of theColony of Connecticut inHartford affirmed that the town of Stratford included all of the territory 12 miles (19 km) inland fromLong Island Sound, between theHousatonic River and theFairfield town line, to include the southern portion of present-day Monroe. In 1662, Stratford selectmen Lt.Joseph Judson, CaptainJoseph Hawley and John Minor secured all the written deeds of transfer from theGolden Hill Paugussett Indian Nation for this vast territory that comprises the present-day towns of Trumbull, Shelton and Monroe. In 1671, Stratford purchased from the Paugusset Indians the territory which included the remainder of the northern portions of Monroe, Trumbull and Shelton, in what is known as "The White Hills Purchase", and officially annexed it to the Township of Stratford.
Monroe incorporated as a town in 1823. The community is named afterJames Monroe, fifth President of the United States.[5]
On August 18, 2024 the town suffered from a flash flood which poured over 10 inches of rain on the town, causing many roads in town to flood and wash out, leaving many stranded. This included the Route 34 bridge near the Lake Zoar drive in getting washed away completely, leaving the road closed for an extended period of time.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 26.3 square miles (68 km2), of which 26.1 square miles (68 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2), or 0.76%, is water. ThePequonnock River begins in Monroe in Wolfe Park. Monroe bordersLake Zoar, a reservoir on theHousatonic River formed by theStevenson Dam.
Monroe is made up of several neighborhoods:
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 1,522 | — | |
| 1840 | 1,351 | −11.2% | |
| 1850 | 1,442 | 6.7% | |
| 1860 | 1,382 | −4.2% | |
| 1870 | 1,226 | −11.3% | |
| 1880 | 1,157 | −5.6% | |
| 1890 | 994 | −14.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,043 | 4.9% | |
| 1910 | 1,002 | −3.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,161 | 15.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,221 | 5.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,728 | 41.5% | |
| 1950 | 2,892 | 67.4% | |
| 1960 | 6,402 | 121.4% | |
| 1970 | 12,047 | 88.2% | |
| 1980 | 14,010 | 16.3% | |
| 1990 | 16,896 | 20.6% | |
| 2000 | 19,247 | 13.9% | |
| 2010 | 19,479 | 1.2% | |
| 2020 | 18,825 | −3.4% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 18,764 | −0.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] | |||
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 18,825 people living in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 84.6% White, 2.4% African American,6.2% Asian, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.8% of the population.[1]
As of thecensus[7] of 2000, there were 19,247 people, 6,481 households, and 5,346 families residing in the town. The population density was 736.5 inhabitants per square mile (284.4/km2). There were 6,601 housing units at an average density of 252.6 per square mile (97.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.8%White, 0.20%African American, 0.08%Native American, 2.62%Asian, 0.50% fromother races, and 0.83% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people of any race were 2.20% of the population.
There were 6,481 households, out of which 42.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.0% weremarried couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.5% were non-families. Of all households, 14.9% were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $85,000 and the median income for a family was $92,514. Males had a median income of $61,109 versus $41,572 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $34,161. About 1.8% of families and 2.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
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The town of Monroe features eleven houses of worship representing numerous faiths.
Monroe is a stalwart Republican town at the presidential level with the longest streak of supporting the GOP in Fairfield County. No Democrat has won the town in over 60 years.Lyndon B. Johnson came the closest in his landslide victory in 1964, having lost the town by only 17 votes toBarry M. Goldwater. It is the only municipality in Fairfield County (and one of only four statewide) that voted for Goldwater and subsequently voted forDonald Trump in all three of his elections.[10]
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 46.6%5,346 | 51.9%5,961 | 1.50%175 |
| 2020 | 48.64%5,838 | 49.90%5,989 | 1.46%175 |
| 2016 | 41.44%4,520 | 54.29%5,922 | 4.27%466 |
| 2012 | 43.02%4,446 | 55.70%5,757 | 1.28%132 |
| 2008 | 46.41%5,133 | 52.58%5,815 | 1.00%111 |
| 2004 | 40.73%4,349 | 58.02%6,195 | 1.25%133 |
| 2000 | 44.57%4,352 | 50.79%4,960 | 4.64%453 |
| 1996 | 40.94%3,544 | 45.84%3,968 | 13.23%1,145 |
| 1992 | 28.47%2,745 | 47.78%4,607 | 23.76%2,291 |
| 1988 | 32.60%2,599 | 66.67%5,315 | 0.73%58 |
| 1984 | 25.02%1,771 | 74.65%5,283 | 0.32%23 |
| 1980 | 28.82%1,815 | 59.34%3,737 | 11.85%746 |
| 1976 | 36.05%2,025 | 63.20%3,550 | 0.75%42 |
| 1972 | 25.87%1,329 | 71.92%3,695 | 2.22%114 |
| 1968 | 33.15%1,527 | 57.47%2,647 | 9.38%432 |
| 1964 | 49.78%1,960 | 50.22%1,977 | 0.00%0 |
| 1960 | 35.51%1,116 | 64.49%2,027 | 0.00%0 |
| 1956 | 20.66%389 | 79.34%1,494 | 0.00%0 |
| Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 26, 2021[12] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active voters | Inactive voters | Total voters | Percentage | |
| Republican | 3,673 | 168 | 3,841 | 26.70% | |
| Democratic | 3,188 | 171 | 3,359 | 23.36% | |
| Unaffiliated | 6,627 | 311 | 6,938 | 48.24% | |
| Minor parties | 234 | 10 | 244 | 1.70% | |
| Total | 13,722 | 660 | 14,382 | 100% | |
Monroe Public Schools oversees public education and includes approximately 4,000 students, in three elementary schools (Fawn Hollow, Monroe Elementary, and Stepney Elementary), two middle schools (Jockey Hollow andSTEM Academy), and one high school (Masuk High School).
In 2011, STEM Academy was opened at Masuk High School as an additional middle school option for Monroe's 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.[13]
Chalk Hill Middle School housed Monroe's 5th and 6th graders from 1969 to 2011 (when it was closed due to shifting population and budget issues).[14] From 2012 to 2016, Chalk Hill was the home ofSandy Hook Elementary School inNewtown following theDecember 14, 2012, shooting.[15]
TheGreater Bridgeport Transit Authority provides bus service for Monroe.[17]
Two train stations are located near Monroe:
Both stations are served byMetro-North Railroad.[20][19] Bridgeport station is served by theNew Haven Line,Amtrak'sNortheast Corridor and theVermonter.[18] Derby–Shelton station is served only by theWaterbury Branch. Both stations are easily accessible by bus routes or driving. TheNew Haven Railroad used to serve the town.[21]
The Monroe Parks and Recreation Department manages Monroe's parks.
Monroe is protected by three independent and all-volunteer fire departments operating out of six fire stations.
In 1916, 45 men and women formed the first volunteer fire company in Monroe, the Stepney Volunteer Fire Company. In 1923 the Stepney Company built its own firehouse, which housed their first fire truck. It is the only Ladder Company in the Town of Monroe.[23] Also in 1923, the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department was established.[24]
Monroe is served by the Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service, founded 1977.[25]
Officially organized in 1952, the Monroe Police Department operates out of Monroe Town Hall.[26]
Shackelford, Lauren Mascarenhas, Caroll Alvarado, Robert. “Connecticut Flooding: State of Emergency Declared after 2 Killed and ‘Hundreds’ Evacuated during Flash Flooding.” CNN, 19 Aug. 2024,
Municipalities and communities ofGreater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut,United States | ||
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