Monroe is a town located in Orange County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 31,407.

The Village of Monroe is within the Town of Monroe.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 55.1 km² (21.3 mi²). 52.0 km² (20.1 mi²) of it is land and 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 5.55% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 31,407 people, 8,228 households, and 6,878 families residing in the town. The population density is 603.6/km² (1,563.5/mi²). There are 8,517 housing units at an average density of 163.7/km² (424.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.91% White, 1.22% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.15% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 4.91% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 8,228 households out of which 53.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.3% are married couples living together, 6.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% are non-families. 13.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.72 and the average family size is 4.14.

In the town the population is spread out with 41.5% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 22 years. For every 100 females there are 107.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 103.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $50,889, and the median income for a family is $54,315. Males have a median income of $51,125 versus $34,547 for females. The per capita income for the town is $16,569. 29.1% of the population and 22.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 39.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Friction with Kiryas Joel

The Satmar Hasidic Judaism community has built an indepenedent village, known as Kiryas Joel, New York next to Monroe. There is frequent opposition from the people of Monroe to what they see as "encroachment" by Orthodox Jews due to the rapid growth of the Satmar hasidim who have extremely large growing families, and who need more land to build their homes and community-related building projects such as synagogues, yeshivas and mikvahs.