With equal parts historic preservation and growth, Monroe is focused on progress while holding onto its past as a city of industry and innovation. The city of about 20,000 people is located on Lake Erie’s shores and named after President James Monroe, who visited in 1817. Notable battles from the War of 1812 and other important historical events are commemorated at River Raisin National Battlefield Park, and school and street names across the city pay homage to local leaders from that time. "Monroe is a very historic city, but we choose not to live in the past," says Mayor Bob Clark. "It's all about building and moving forward to the present and future."
Detroit Beach sits along Lake Erie in Monroe, Michigan and is a part of Frenchtown.
Victorian mansions are found in and around historic Monroe.
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Houses from the early 1800s priced below the national median
The oldest homes in Monroe are in Central Monroe and Northeast Monroe near downtown. Bungalows, Cape Cods, Victorian cottages and American Foursquares that date back to the 1830s line neatly gridded streets. Many of the newest homes with Modern Craftsman, Colonial Revival and sprawling ranch-style design are farthest from the city's center, in Northwest Monroe. Houses range in price from $40,000 to $450,000, on average, with a median price of $220,000 – $186,000 less than the national median of around $400,000.
Colorful homes fill the streets of historic Monroe.
This Victorian home in downtown Monroe features a beautiful pillared front porch.
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The River Raisin is a center for leisure and recreation
Annually, on the second Saturday of August, Monroe residents come together to clean up the River Raisin. Named for the wild grapes that grew in the area, the river is a source of leisure and recreation. Fishing and kayaking on the river are now possible because of the city's $25 million effort of clear dams and move piping beneath the riverbeds. The River Raisin Heritage Trail spans 8 miles through the city, starting at Munson Park and following the river's flow to Sterling State Park on Lake Erie.
Monroe winters have snow, but less than northern and western Michigan cities.
Sportsmen will enjoy fishing along the River Raisin, which runs through downtown Monroe.
Sterling State Park welcomes water lovers to camp along the shores of Lake Erie in Monroe.
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Renovated public schools and private religious institutions
Monroe Public Schools is rated a C-plus by Niche. The school district operates seven schools. Waterloo Elementary is closed for the 2024-2025 school year for major upgrades.
There are more than 20 churches in the city, many with affiliated private schools like Trinity Lutheran and St. Mary's Catholic. Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM Sisters) is a religious congregation and home for Catholic women in the Northeast Monroe neighborhood.
Waterloo Elementary School welcomes the young eager minds of Monroe.
Monroe High School offers a variety of top level sports programs for students.
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Community events and the county fair
The Monroe County Fair is a big deal for the city, and "People look forward to it all year round," Presto says. "Businesses shut down for the week, and there are rides, 4H shows and classic fair food." In 2024, the fair brought in more than 200,000 attendees. St. Mary's Park has a concert series throughout the summer with local musicians and tribute bands. The park is revitalizing in the coming years with plans to remodel the stage and space around it for viewing.
Detroit and Toledo within a short drive
Interstate 75 and Telegraph Road are the main thoroughfares leading 35 miles north to Detroit and 17 miles south to Toledo. "Some people live in Monroe and commute to Toledo and Detroit since they're only 30 minutes away by car," says Drew Presto, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is 27 miles north. An active train track runs parallel to Telegraph Road, servicing rail transport companies. Lake Erie Transit has eight fixed routes that run Monday through Friday and offers call-ahead rides on Saturdays.
Crime statistics for Monroe are not readily available.
A hot dog of a dining rivalry
The city has two long-standing hotdog hot spots: Monroe's Original Hot Dog and Vince's Drive-In. Both have bellhop service under a bright orange awning and specialize in chilidogs and root beer floats. It's standard for the city's residents to have a preference and loyalty to one of the two. Telegraph Road is the city's main shopping destination, with grocers, big-box stores and national chains on both sides of the river.
Recreational marijuana use became legal in Michigan before nearby Ohio. As a result, more than 20 dispensaries are now within 15 miles of Monroe and the Ohio state border.
Monroe's Original Hot Dog is a local favorite for root beer floats in frosted glasses.
Vince's Drive-In & Monroe's Original Hot Dog are always in the running for best dog.
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Industries getting their start in Monroe
The River Raisin Paper Co. moved the city forward from its farming roots, and then many other paper mills followed suit, with most closing in the mid-1900s. One early business still around and going strong is the La-Z-Boy World Headquarters. The furniture company, which started under another name in 1928, is now one of the city's largest employers after ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital. Another significant employer is DTE Energy's Monroe Power Plant. The coal-fired power plant is the country's third largest, and its smokestacks can be seen up to 25 miles away – visible on the horizon from everywhere in Monroe. Inviting new industries, new people and new ideas, "Monroe is more accepting and welcoming than ever, but there's always more to do," Clark says.
La Z Boy Furniture is one of Monroe's biggest employers.
Promedica Regional Hospital employs many of the professional medical society in Monroe.
On average, homes in Monroe, MI sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Monroe, MI over the last 12 months is $220,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
