| Monroe, Connecticut | |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | U.S. state |
| Subdivision Name1: | Connecticut |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Fairfield |
| Subdivision Type3: | Region |
| Subdivision Name3: | CT Metropolitan |
| Established Title: | Incorporated |
| Established Date: | 1823 |
| Government Type: | Selectman-town council |
| Leader Title: | First Selectman |
| Leader Name: | Terrence P. Rooney[1] |
| Leader Title1: | Town Council |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Total Km2: | 68.1 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 26.3 |
| Area Land Km2: | 67.7 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 26.1 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.5 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.2 |
| Elevation M: | 159 |
| Elevation Ft: | 522 |
| Population Total: | 18,825 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 721.3 |
| Timezone: | Eastern |
| Utc Offset: | −5 |
| Timezone Dst: | Eastern |
| Utc Offset Dst: | −4 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP Code |
| Postal Code: | 06468 |
| Area Code: | 203/475 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 09-48620 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 0213463 |
Monroe is a town located in eastern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 18,825 at the 2020 census.[2] The town is part of the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region.
Monroe is largely considered a bedroom community of New York City, New Haven, and Bridgeport.
On May 15, 1656, the Court of the Colony of Connecticut in Hartford affirmed that the town of Stratford included all of the territory inland from Long Island Sound, between the Housatonic River and the Fairfield town line, to include the southern portion of present-day Monroe. In 1662, Stratford selectmen Lt. Joseph Judson, Captain Joseph Hawley and John Minor secured all the written deeds of transfer from the Golden 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 after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States.[3]
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 the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which is land and, or 0.76%, is water. The Pequonnock River begins in Monroe in Wolfe Park. Monroe borders Lake Zoar, a reservoir on the Housatonic River formed by the Stevenson Dam.
Monroe is made up of several neighborhoods:
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income.
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. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/monroetownfairfieldcountyconnecticut/LND110210
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 19,247 people, 6,481 households, and 5,346 families residing in the town. The population density was 736.5sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 6,601 housing units at an average density of 252.6sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the town was 95.8% White, 0.20% African American, 0.08% Native American, 2.62% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the town was $34,161. About 1.8% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
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 to Barry M. Goldwater.
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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[8] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 and STEM 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.[9]
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).[10] From 2012 to 2016, Chalk Hill was the home of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown following the December 14, 2012, shooting.[11]
The Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority provides bus service for Monroe.[13]
Two train stations are located near Monroe:
Both stations are served by Metro-North Railroad.[16] Bridgeport station is served by the New Haven Line, Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and the Vermonter. Derby–Shelton station is served only by the Waterbury Branch. Both stations are easily accessible by bus routes or driving. The New Haven Railroad used to serve the town.[17]
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.[19] Also in 1923, the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department was established.[20]
Monroe is served by the Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service, founded 1977.[21]
Officially organized in 1952, the Monroe Police Department operates out of Monroe Town Hall.[22]
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,