Monroe is a town located in eastern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 18,825 at the 2020 census. Monroe is largely considered a bedroom community of New York City, New Haven, and Bridgeport. History 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. Geography 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. Neighborhoods Monroe is made up of several neighborhoods: East Village Midtown Monroe Center North Central Stepney Stevenson Upper Stepney Whitney Farms Zoar Demographics 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. As of the census of 2000, there were 19,247 people, 6,481 households, and 5,346 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 6,601 housing units at an average density of . 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