Monroe County, Illinois

Monroe County
Monroe County Courthouse in Waterloo
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°17′N 90°11′W / 38.28°N 90.18°W / 38.28; -90.18
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1816
Named afterJames Monroe
SeatWaterloo
Largest cityWaterloo
Area
  Total
398 sq mi (1,030 km2)
  Land385 sq mi (1,000 km2)
  Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  3.3%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
34,962
  Estimate 
(2023)
34,957
  Density88/sq mi (34/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitemonroecountyil.gov

Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 34,962. Its county seat and largest city is Waterloo. Monroe County is included in the St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known historically as "Little Egypt".