Monroe County, Kentucky

Monroe County
Monroe County courthouse in Tompkinsville
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°43′N 85°43′W / 36.71°N 85.72°W / 36.71; -85.72
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1820
Named afterJames Monroe
SeatTompkinsville
Largest cityTompkinsville
Area
  Total
332 sq mi (860 km2)
  Land329 sq mi (850 km2)
  Water2.7 sq mi (7 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
11,338
  Estimate 
(2024)
11,163
  Density34/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.monroecounty.ky.gov

Monroe County is a county located in the Eastern Pennyroyal Plateau region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. Its county seat is Tompkinsville. The county is named for President James Monroe. It was a prohibition or dry county until November 7, 2023, when voters approved the sale of alcohol.