Monroe County /

Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2000, the population was 38,961. Its county seat is Madisonville. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 653 square miles (1,690 km²), of which 635 square miles (1,644 km²) is land and 18 square miles (46 km²) (2.71%) is water. As of the census of 2000, there are 38,961 people, 15,329 households, and 11,236 families residing in the county. The population density is 61 people per square mile (24/km²). There are 17,287 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county is 94.87% White, 2.27% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. 1.76% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 15,329 households out of which 32.10% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.40% are married couples living together, 10.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% are non-families. 23.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or