Monroe, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,076. It is the county seat of Monroe County6. The city is adjacent to Monroe Charter Township, but is politically independent. Monroe, Michigan is part of Detroit Metropolitan Area.
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.1 km² (10.1 mi²). 23.4 km² (9.0 mi²) of it is land and 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²) of it (10.14%) is water.
[edit] History
The City of Monroe and Monroe County was named for President James Monroe, who paid the Michigan Territory a visit in 1817.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 22,076 people, 8,594 households, and 5,586 families residing in the city. The population density was 942.9/km² (2,440.9/mi²). There were 9,107 housing units at an average density of 389.0/km² (1,007.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.87% White, 5.07% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.76% of the population.
There were 8,594 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,810, and the median income for a family was $51,442. Males had a median income of $42,881 versus $25,816 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,948. About 9.0% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 16.1% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Other notes
- Monroe is known for its ties to General George Armstrong Custer. Although born in Ohio, he attended school in Monroe on two separate occasions: at the age of ten he attended New Dublin primary school for two years and in 1853, at the age of fourteen, he attended the Stebbins Academy for two years. While attending Stebbins, he met his future wife Elizabeth Bacon. He returned to marry her in 1864.
- Monroe is the birthplace of model Christie Brinkley.
- The furniture company La-Z-Boy's world headquarters is located in Monroe.
- The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary have their mother house in Monroe.
- Monroe is the birthplace of 1988 Miss America winner Kaye Lani Rae Rafko.
[edit] Trivia
The Port of Monroe is the only port in Michigan that is on Lake Erie.
The Monroe Power Plant, which is a coal burning plant operated by Detroit Edison, has four 750MW units; the second largest generating capacity of any coal plant in North America.
Monroe Fire Department union IAFF Local 326 is the oldest continuous IAFF local in the State of Michigan. IAFF Local 326
[edit] Neighborhoods
Monroe has several different neighborhoods. They are:
- Greenwood - Lower-middle class side of town.
- Orchard East - Easternmost side of town, primarily African-American. Commonly referred to by locals as "the East End."
- Downtown - Many historical buildings.
- Country Club - Perhaps the nicest neighborhood in Monroe, it sits right by the Monroe Golf & Country Club.
- Riverside Manor - West side of town, mostly middle- to upper-middle class.
