MONROE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

'Monroe County' is in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Named in honor of James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, the county is located in the east of the state, along its border with New Jersey. In 2000, its population was 138,687. Its county seat is Stroudsburg⁶. The county is home to East Stroudsburg University.

Contents

Geography

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Politics

Municipalities

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated places

Education

Colleges and universities

Public school districts

Other Notable Resources

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,599 km² (617 mi²). 1,576 km² (608 mi²) of it is land and 23 km² (9 mi²) of it (1.44%) is water.
Monroe County was formed from the northern section of Northampton County.
Due to its close proximity to New York City, Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell and many Wall Street executives have decided to construct a "backup" Wall Street, in case of a terrorist attack on New York. The construction would contain millions of square feet of office space in Monroe County alone. Over seven other Pennsylvania counties will also have headquarters.

Adjacent Counties

★ Wayne County (north)

★ Pike County (northeast)

★ Sussex County, New Jersey (northeast)

★ Warren County, New Jersey (east)

★ Northampton County (south)

★ Carbon County (west)

★ Luzerne County (northwest)

★ Lackawanna County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 138,687 people, 49,454 households, and 36,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 88/km² (228/mi²). There were 67,581 housing units at an average density of 43/km² (111/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.21% White, 6.02% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.42% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. 6.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
It is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation.
There were 49,454 households out of which 36.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.30% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

Politics

The county is closely-divided politically between the Democratic and Republican parties. In the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the county was carried by a margin of four votes.
In May 2007, there were 101,228 registered voters in Monroe County [1].

★ Democratic: 43,323 (42.80%)

★ Republican: 38,597 (38.13%)

★ Other: 19,308 (19.07%)

Municipalities

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, , and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Monroe County:

Boroughs

★ Delaware Water Gap ★ East Stroudsburg

★ Mount Pocono ★ Stroudsburg

Townships

★ Barrett Township ★ Chestnuthill Township ★ Coolbaugh Township ★ Eldred Township ★ Hamilton Township ★ Jackson Township ★ Middle Smithfield Township ★ Paradise Township

★ Pocono Township ★ Polk Township ★ Price Township ★ Ross Township ★ Smithfield Township ★ Stroud Township ★ Tobyhanna Township ★ Tunkhannock Township

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

★ Arlington Heights ★ Brodheadsville

★ Mountainhome ★ Pocono Pines

Education

Colleges and universities

★ East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

★ Northampton Community College (Monroe Campus)

Public school districts

★ East Stroudsburg Area School District

★ Pleasant Valley School District

★ Pocono Mountain School District

★ Stroudsburg Area School District

Other Notable Resources

In addition to its rich cultural heritage, Monroe County is home to the Pennsylvania portion of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Sullivan Trail (The portion of the route of General John Sullivan's famous march of 1778 from Easton to New York that reaches from Tannersville to Pocono Pines. This trail leads to the road that scales Big Pocono Mountain, one of the highest points in the Poconos that offers magnificent vistas.), Sanofi-Pasteur (manufacturer of vaccines), Pocono Raceway (home of two major NASCAR events held annually), Camelbeach Water Park and Ski Area, Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, The Crossings Factory Stores (named the number one outlet center in North America by the Outlet Retail Merchants Association (ORMA) for 2000-2001), three state parks (Big Pocono State Park, Gouldsboro State Park and Tobyhanna State Park, and Tobyhanna Army Depot (a major element of the Communications-Electronics Command and the largest Communications-Electronics repair, overhaul and fabrication facility in the Department of Defense).