Monroe, Louisiana

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City of Monroe
City
Monroe-West Monroe
Nickname : Twin City
Motto : One City, One Future
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Ouachita
Area	31.6 sq mi (81.8 km²)
- land	28.7 sq mi (74.3 km²)
- water	3.7 sq mi (9.6 km²), 11.71%
- metro	1,538 sq mi (3,983.4 km²)
Center
- coordinates	32°30′37″N 92°05′42″W / 32.51028, -92.095Coordinates: 32°30′37″N 92°05′42″W / 32.51028, -92.095
- elevation	72 ft (21.9 m)
Population	53,107 (2000)
- metro	170,053 (2000)
Density	1,851.8 /sq mi (715 /km²)
- metro	111 /sq mi (42.9 /km²)
Mayor	James E. "Jamie" Mayo
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
- summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	71201-03
Area code	318
Location of Monroe in Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Website : http://www.ci.monroe.la.us

The city of Monroe is the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. ^[1] ^[2] It is the principal city of the Monroe, Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area (pop. 171,188), which is included in the Monroe-Bastrop, Louisiana Combined Statistical Area. The population of Monroe's Combined Statistical Area is 202,209. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 52,027, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana.

Monroe is the home of the University of Louisiana at Monroe (formerly known as Northeast Louisiana University). It also houses the headquarters of CenturyTel, the eighth-largest telecommunications provider in the nation. Monroe is situated on the Ouachita River and continues to serve as a population center and distribution outlet for the surrounding farming community.

Monroe and the neighboring town of West Monroe (pop. 13,250), which sits just across the Ouachita River, are often referred to as the Twin Cities of northeast Louisiana.

[edit] Geography

Monroe is located at 32°30′37″N, 92°05′42″W (32.510343, -92.094895)^[3] and has an elevation of 72 feet (21.9 m)^[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.6 square miles (83.9 km²), of which, 28.7 square miles (74.3 km²) of it is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) of it is water. The total area is 11.46% water.

[edit] Demographics

Francis Towers located in downtown Monroe.

As of the census^[5] of 2000, there are 53,107 people,^[2] 19,421 households, and 12,157 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,851.8 people per square mile (714.9/km²). There are 21,278 housing units at an average density of 741.9/sq mi (286.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 36.78% White, 61.13% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 19,421 households, out of which 32.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.4% are married couples living together, 25.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% are non-families. 31.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.54 and the average family size is 3.26.

In the city the population is spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 15.0% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 29 years, much younger than Louisiana's median age of 34.0 years. For every 100 females there are 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 76.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $25,864, and the median income for a family is $33,263. Males have a median income of $31,840 versus $22,352 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,933. 32.3% of the population and 26.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 45.3% of those under the age of 18 and 21.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

[edit] Education

[edit] Primary and secondary schools

[edit] Public schools

The Monroe City School System manages 18 primary schools, 13 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 3 high schools. The high schools included in the city system are Carrol High School (formerly Monroe Colored High School), Neville High School, and Wossman High School. The Ouachita Parish School System is responsible for managing schools outside the Monroe city limits.

[edit] Private schools

Monroe is also home to River Oaks School, New Vision Learning Academy, Ouachita Christian School, Northeast Baptist School, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, Claiborne Christian, and St. Frederick's Catholic School.

[edit] Colleges and Universities

The University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in the city, as well as Delta Community College. The Louisiana Technical College, Delta Ouachita Campus, is located a few miles west of West Monroe and provides vocational and technical training and education for both post high school and adult students. Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech are just west of Monroe.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Bus

Greyhound Bus Lines provides transportation from Monroe to many cities across the nation. The city of Monroe also has the oldest municipally owned transit system in the nation. Created in 1906, the Monroe Transit System (mtsbus.org) is the public transportation provider of 13 bus routes covering areas of the city.

[edit] Air

Monroe Regional Airport serves the city. The airport has three main runways and is served by Delta, Northwest, American, and Continental Airlines.

[edit] Highways

Monroe can be accessed from I-20, U.S. Highway 165,U.S. Highway 15, and U.S. Highway 80.

[edit] Railroads

Monroe has two main railroads Kansas City Southern Railway that runs from east to west and Union Pacific that runs from North to South. There are also other railroads:

[edit] Area Attractions

Monroe has attractions which include:

[edit] Civic Center Complex

The Monroe Civic Center, which has multiple complexes. The main complex is the Civic center Arena. This arena provides 44,000 square feet (4,100 m²) of exhibit space along with 5,600 seats. The arena may have larger capacities up to 7,200 seats. The arena houses events such as banquets, circuses, and rodeos. The civic center also has the B.D. Robinson conference hall, Monroe Convention Center, equestrian pavilion, and the W.L. "Jack" Howard Theatre.

[edit] Museums

The Monroe area is home to several museums including the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum, The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, Aviation Military Museum, and the Masur Museum.

[edit] Shopping

Pecanland Mall, home to major anchors Belk, Dillards, JC Penney, Sears, and Burlington Coat Factory. It is the largest mall in North Louisiana and is host to over 200 other stores. Pecanland Mall also has a Cinemark 10 Movie Complex, Food Court and a Center Court. In mid-town Monroe there is The Shoppes on Tower shopping center, Twin City Plaza, and Eastgate Shopping Center.

[edit] Children's Entertainment

Monroe - Skatetown, Inc.
Monroe - Bayou Bowl
Monroe - Tilt! [Pecandland Mall]
Monroe - Doodles [Twin City Shopping Center]
West Monroe - Dirtbike Track
West Monroe - Skatetown
West Monroe- Excalibur Fun Park

[edit] Zoo

Monroe features the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, which collectively maintains over 500 animals. The zoo also offers boat rides and a catwalk in addition to other seasonal activities.

[edit] Motor Speedway

Monroe plays host to the Louisiana Motor Speedway. It is a path figure 8 speedway. Monroe is already host to the Twin City Dragway.

[edit] Festivals

DeltaFest

[edit] Economy

From 1926 to 1941, Monroe served as the home of Delta Air Lines until the company relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Until 2004, Delta offered mainline jet service to Monroe, despite the city's small size. Monroe Regional Airport's logo is a "Delta" symbol and bears the statement "Birthplace of Delta Air Lines" at the entrance and on its website. Monroe is the site of the first Coca-Cola bottling plant. Monroe is a major distribution area for Brookshire's Grocery.

Today, Monroe, coupled with her sister city, West Monroe, are collectively the economic powerhouse of Northeast Louisiana and are home to many manufacturing, healthcare, banking, and farm-related corporations and partners. Monroe hosts corporate offices for call centers and distribution centers like Chase Manhattan Bank and other corporate satellites, the headquarters of Vantage Health Plan, (a major supplier of health insurance in Louisiana, whose offices make up a large part of Monroe's downtown skyline), Ouachita Fertilizer, a branch of the Abell Corporation, and Berry Plastics Group, formerly Tyco Plastics, which has a production facility in Monroe. Accent Marketing has offices in Monroe's old State Farm office complex. Angus Chemical, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical, located in nearby Sterlington, LA, contributes to Monroe's underlying economy as well. There are plans in place for a new production facility in the former Guide production facility.

The Monroe metro area boasts four major hospitals, including St. Francis North (formerly North Monroe Medical Center), and St. Francis Medical Center, home of the Kitty Degree Breast Health Center, respectively. Monroe's hospital system has been rated among the nation's top 5%. The other two include the Louisiana State University Medical Center - Monroe (formerly the E.A. Conway Hospital, which includes a family medicine residency program providing charity medical care to the eight parishes of Northeast Louisiana), and Glenwood Medical Center (West Monroe).

Monroe is also the corporate headquarters for CenturyTel; and the Northeast Louisiana War Veteran's Home is located adjacent to the campus.

[edit] Neighborhoods

Southern Monroe (south of U.S. Highway 80) This area contains the Pecanland Mall and the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo. This area is home to a majority of the city's African American population.

Parkview
Robinson Place
Richwood
Lamyville
Renwick's Addition
Oregon Trail
West Parkview
Bryant's Addition
Grayling Bend
Tanglewood
Charmingdale
New Town
Atkinson Quarters
King Oaks

North and East Monroe (north of U.S. Highway 80) The University of Louisiana at Monroe and the headquarters for CenturyTel can be found in this area.

Betin Heights
Oakmont
Westminister
Garden District
Marie Place Addition
Sholar's Addition
Pargoud Place
Plantation Park
Westwood
Forsythe Park
Brierfield
River Oaks
Town & Country
Northside Terrace
Cypress Point
Lakeshore
Bayou Oaks
Frenchman's Bend
Swartz
Lincoln Hills
Parkview Heights Subdivision
North Pointe Plantation
Booker T

This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy certain standards for completeness.

Revisions and sourced additions are welcome.

[edit] Media

Monroe is served by a Gannett newspaper, the Monroe News Star, formerly an afternoon daily owned and operated by the late father-son team of publishers, Robert Wilson Ewing, I, and John D. Ewing of New Orleans and Shreveport, respectively. When the Ewing's Monroe Morning World ceased publication, the sister publication, the News Star, became the city's morning-only newspaper. The News Star can be found online at http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage. Among the staff members of the News Star is political reporter Greg Hilburn, son of Wiley W. Hilburn, head of the Journalism Department at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston and himself a former World-News Star reporter.

Monroe is also served by two African-American weekly newspapers: The Monroe Free Press and the Monroe Dispatch. The Free Press was founded in 1969 by Roosevelt Wright, Jr.; its web presence began in 1996 and is located at http://monroefreepress.com. The Dispatch was founded in 1975 by Irma and Frank Detiege.

[edit] Television

KNOE 8 (CBS)
KTVE 10 (NBC)
KAQY 11 (ABC)
KLTM 13 (PBS)
KARD 14 (FOX)
KMCT 39 (TBN)

[edit] Radio

KMYY 92.3 Country
KZRZ 98.3 Soft Rock
KQLQ 103.1 Top 40
KXRR 106 New Rock

[edit] Notable residents

[edit] Athletes

Brian Bateman (PGA Golfer, 2007 Buick Open Winner)
Benoit Benjamin (Former NBA Center for the Cleveland Cavaliers)
Bubby Brister (Former Denver Broncos Quarterback)
Billy Joe Dupree (Former Tight End for the Dallas Cowboys)
Chuck Finley (Former St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher)
Ralph Garr (Former MLB player)
Shawn King (ULM/LSU and Carolina Panthers Defensive End)
Stan Humphries (Former San Diego Chargers Quarterback)
Rudy Niswanger (LSU and Kansas City Chiefs Center)
Johnny Robinson (Former LSU and Kansas City Chiefs saftey)
Bill Russell (Former NBA center for the Boston Celtics)
Aeneas Williams (Former St. Louis Rams Free Safety)
Pat Williams (Minnesota Vikings Defensive Tackle)
Andrew Whitworth (LSU and Cincinnati Bengals Offensive tackle)
Joe Profit (Former Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints Running Back)

[edit] Musicians

Hamid Drake (Jazz drummer and percussionist)
Carl Fontana (Jazz trombonist)
Kevin Griffin (Lead Singer of Better Than Ezra)
Andy Griggs (Country music singer)
Frank Ticheli (Internationally known composer, conductor, Professor of Music, University of Southern California)

[edit] Politicians

James E. Mayo (current Democratic mayor of Monroe
Edwards Barham (former member of the Louisiana State Senate from Morehouse Parish)
Robert J. Barham (Director of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission; former Louisiana state senator from Morehouse Parish)
William R. Boles, Sr., (attorney and former member of the Louisiana State Senate)
James L. Dennis (Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit)
Jimmy Dimos (former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, retired judge)
W.L. "Jack" Howard (five-term mayor and cofounder of former Howard Brothers Discount Company)
Kay Katz (Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and Republican National Committeewoman from Louisiana)
Robert Kostelka (Republican state senator and former judge)
Sam Little (Republican state representative from Morehouse Parish and portions of Ouachita, West Carroll, and East Carroll parishes
James A. Noe (Governor of Louisiana, founder of WNOE & KNOE radio & TV stations)
Frank Spooner (Pioneer of the Republican Party in Ouachita Parish, oil and natural gas land man)
Lawson Swearingen (Former Louisiana state senator and president of ULM)
Mike Walsworth (Louisiana state senator from Ouachita and Morehouse parishes)
W.E. Whetstone (Former Member of the Louisiana State Board of Education)

[edit] Businesspeople

Edmund Graves Brown (1921-2008), executive of the Monroe News Star from 1952-1977; member of the Ewing newspaper family

Grady A. Dugas (1923-2007), inventor of the "Safer Automatic Wheelchair Wheel Locks"

Robert Ewing, III (1935-2007), Monroe newspaper executive and photographer

William Cecil "Billy" Farr (1942-2008), a pioneer in the mobile home business, opened Farr's Manufactured Housing in West Monroe in 1963, the first such company in Northeast Louisiana. A native of Gainesville, Texas, and a former medic in the United States Air Force, Farr was inducted into the Louisiana Manufactured Housing Association Hall of Fame. He died of cancer and is interred in Mulhearn Memorial Park in Monroe.^[6]