View source for Monroe, Louisiana

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Monroe, Louisiana
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = Twin Cities of Northeast Louisiana (along with [[West Monroe]])
|motto                    = "Oneroe"
|image_skyline            = Monroe, Louisiana skyline in 2021.png
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Downtown Monroe
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = Monroe_LA_Seal.jpg
|image_map                = Ouachita Parish Louisiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Monroe Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Monroe in [[Ouachita Parish]], [[Louisiana]]
|pushpin_map              = United States
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief           = yes
|pushpin_label            = Monroe
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Louisiana]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of parishes in Louisiana|Parish]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Ouachita Parish, Louisiana|Ouachita]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_party             = [[Independent Party (United States)|I]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Friday Ellis
|leader_title1            = [[City Council]]
|leader_name1             = {{Collapsible list|title=Members List |frame_style=border:none; padding: 0; |title_style= |list_style=text-align:left;display:none; |1=President of the Council: Doug Harvey |2=Clerk: Carolus Riley |3=Dist 1: Doug Harvey |4=Dist 2: Gretchen Ezernack |5=Dist 3: Juanita G. Woods |6=Dist 4: Bishop Rodney McFarland |7=Dist 5: Verbon R. Muhammad |8=City Attorney: Angie Sturdivant}}
|leader_title2            = 
|leader_name2             = {{Collapsible list|title=Members List |frame_style=border:none; padding: 0; |title_style= |list_style=text-align:left;display:none;}}
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = {{Start date and age|1785|p=fy}}
|established_title1       = Incorporated (town)
|established_date1        = {{Start date and age|1845|p=fy}}
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] (city)
|established_date2        = {{Start date and age|1906|p=fy}}
|named_for                = the [[steamboat]] ''James Monroe''
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_22.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 85.23
|area_land_km2            = 76.80
|area_water_km2           = 8.42
|area_total_sq_mi         = 32.91
|area_land_sq_mi          = 29.66
|area_water_sq_mi         = 3.25
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 46616
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 47702
|population_rank          = US: 857th<br>LA: [[List of municipalities in Louisiana|8th]]
|population_urban         = 119964 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|280th]])
|population_metro         = 222695 (US: [[Metropolitan statistical area|212nd]])
|population_density_km2   = 621.08
|population_density_sq_mi = 1608.57
|population_demonym       = Monroyan
|population_note          = Urban area includes Monroe-[[West Monroe]]
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = −6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m              = 22
|elevation_ft             = 72
|coordinates              = {{coord|32|30|34|N|92|07|06|W|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code              = 71201, 71202, 71203, 71207, 71209, 71210, 71211, 71212, 71213, 71217
|area_code                = [[Area code 318|318]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 22-51410
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2404283<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404283}}</ref>
|blank2_name              = [[Sales tax]]
|blank2_info              = 10.44%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/louisiana/cities/monroe.html|title=Monroe (LA) sales tax rate|access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://monroela.us/|monroela.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Monroe''' is the [[list of municipalities in Louisiana#List of Municipalities|ninth-largest city]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Louisiana]], and is the [[County seat|parish seat]] and largest city of [[Ouachita Parish, Louisiana|Ouachita Parish]]. With a [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]-tabulated population of 47,702,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Monroe_city,_Louisiana?g=160XX00US2251410 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> it is the principal city of the [[Monroe, Louisiana metropolitan area|Monroe metropolitan statistical area]], the second-largest metropolitan area in [[North Louisiana]].

==Etymology==
As [[List of governors of Louisiana|governor of Louisiana]], [[Esteban Rodríguez Miró]] had ''Fort Miro'' built in 1791.<ref>[https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/about/] Northeast Passage, Louisiana Life, Winter 2003/2004</ref> Fort Miro changed its name to Monroe to commemorate the first arrival of the [[steamboat]] ''James Monroe'' in the spring of 1820.<ref name="Sirmans 2011 83–98">{{cite journal|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23645709|title=Pharmacy and Medicine in Nineteenth-Century Ouachita Parish, Louisiana|last=Sirmans|first=Susan|journal=Pharmacy in History|year=2011 |volume=53 |issue=2/3 |pages=83–98 |jstor=23645709 |pmid=23045878 |accessdate=May 20, 2022}}</ref> The ship's arrival was the single event, in the minds of local residents, that transformed the outpost into a [[town]].

Credit for the name is indirectly given to [[James Monroe]] of [[Virginia (U.S. state)|Virginia]], the fifth [[President of the United States]], for whom the ship was named. The steamboat is depicted in a [[mural]] at the main branch of the Ouachita Parish Public Library.

== History ==

===Early history–late 20th century===
Monroe's origins date back to the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spanish colonial period]].

{{Blockquote
| text      =As the 19th century began, the entire [[Ouachita River|Ouachita Valley]] region ... was part of Spanish colonial holdings. [[Ouachita Parish, Louisiana|Ouachita Parish]] encompassed the area between the [[Red River of the South|Red]] and the [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]] Rivers, from north of [[Concordia Parish, Louisiana|Concordia]] and [[Rapides Parish, Louisiana|Rapides Parish]] to the [[Missouri River|Missouri]]. The area was sparsely populated, primarily by itinerant hunters and trappers until late in the 18th century. Under Spanish colonial rule, Jean Baptiste Filhiol was sent from South Louisiana to oversee the settlement of the Poste du Ouachita in 1781. In 1785 Filhiol designated ''Prairie des Canots'', now Monroe ... as the governmental center of the Poste du Ouachita. In response to a petition by the settlers, a fortification was built in 1791 and named Fort Miro in honor of the Spanish governor, [[Esteban Rodríguez Miró|Estavan Miro]].
| author    =Susan Sirmans
| title     =''Pharmacy and Medicine in Nineteenth-Century Ouachita Parish, Louisiana''<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23645709 |jstor=23645709 |last1=Sirmans |first1=Susan |title=Pharmacy and Medicine in Nineteenth-Century Ouachita Parish, Louisiana |journal=Pharmacy in History |date=February 3, 2024 |volume=53 |issue=2/3 |pages=83–98|pmid=23045878 }}</ref>
}}

Fort Miro changed its name to Monroe to commemorate the first arrival of the [[steamboat]] ''James Monroe'' in the spring of 1820 (see "Etymology" above).<ref name="Sirmans 2011 83–98" />

In 1913, [[Joseph A. Biedenharn]], the first bottler of [[Coca-Cola]], moved to Monroe from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Biedenharn and his son Malcolm were among the founders of [[Delta Air Lines]], originally Delta Dusters. That company was founded in [[Tallulah, Louisiana]] in Madison Parish. It was based on products and processes developed by the Agriculture Experimental Station to dust crops from airplanes in order to combat the devastating effects that the [[boll weevil]] had on cotton crops. Biedenharn's home and gardens have been preserved and are now operated as the [[Biedenharn Museum and Gardens]] and are open to the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goby.com/biedenharn-museum-and-gardens--near--monroe-la/ex-104335|title=Biedenharn Museum and Gardens|publisher=goby.com|access-date=August 18, 2010}}</ref>

[[Collett E. Woolman]], the Ouachita Parish agent, was originally from [[Indiana]]. He pioneered [[aerial application|crop dusting]] to eradicate the [[boll weevil]], which destroyed [[cotton]] throughout the [[Mississippi Delta]] in the early 20th century. Woolman originated the first crop-dusting service in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deltamuseum.org/M_Education_DeltaHistory_Facts_Founder.htm|title=Delta Heritage Museum|publisher=deltamuseum.org|access-date=August 18, 2010}}</ref> The collapse of cotton production meant a widespread loss of farm jobs, which contributed to the early-20th-century [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]], when a total of 1.5 million [[African Americans]] left the rural [[Southern United States|South]] for jobs in [[Northern United States|northern]] and [[Midwestern United States|midwestern]] cities. They were also escaping the oppressive racial conditions and violence under [[Jim Crow]] and the [[Disfranchisement after Reconstruction era|disenfranchisement]] that excluded most blacks from the political system.

Howard D. Griffin (1911–1986) purchased a boat dealership in 1936 while a student at what became the [[University of Louisiana Monroe]]. By the 1960s, Griffin's company had become the world's largest outboard motor dealership, and he also sold [[motorcycle]]s. From 1955 to 1985, Griffin and his wife, Birdie M. Griffin (1915–1985), operated their seasonal Land O' Toys store in Monroe.<ref name="landotoys">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/local/2015/12/17/land-toys-lives-memory/77486562/|title=Howard Griffin Land O' Toys lives on in memory|date=December 23, 2016|newspaper=The Monroe News-Star|author=Bonnie Bolden|access-date=February 18, 2017}}</ref>

==Geography==
Located in northeastern Louisiana, Monroe is the center of the [[Monroe, Louisiana metropolitan area|Monroe metropolitan statistical area]]. It is the parish seat of [[Ouachita Parish, Louisiana|Ouachita Parish]], and northeastern Louisiana's economic and cultural hub. Monroe has an elevation of {{convert|72|ft|1}} above sea level.<ref name="GR3">{{cite web | url = http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date = January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 31.6 square miles (83.9&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}), of which, 28.7 square miles (74.3&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) is water. The total area is 11.46% water.

===Climate===
[[File:Bayou Desiard, Monroe, LA IMG 2778.JPG|186px|right|thumb|Bayou Desiard flows through Monroe.]]

Monroe has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa''). Rainfall is abundant, with the normal annual precipitation averaging over {{convert|51|in|m}}. Monthly averages range from less than {{convert|3|in|mm}} in August to more than {{convert|5|in|mm}} in June. Severe thunderstorms with heavy [[rain]], [[hail]], damaging [[wind]]s and [[tornadoes]] occur in the area during the spring and summer months.

The winter months are normally mild, with an average of 35 days of freezing or below-freezing temperatures per year, with ice and [[Ice pellets|sleet]] storms possible. Summer months are hot and humid, with maximum temperatures exceeding 90 degrees an average of 91 days per year, with high to very high relative average humidity, sometimes exceeding the 90 percent level.{{Weather box
| location = Monroe, Louisiana ([[Monroe Regional Airport (Louisiana)|Monroe Regional Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
| single line = Y
| collapsed = Y
| Jan record high F = 86
| Feb record high F = 89
| Mar record high F = 95
| Apr record high F = 97
| May record high F = 104
| Jun record high F = 108
| Jul record high F = 109
| Aug record high F = 108
| Sep record high F = 107
| Oct record high F = 101
| Nov record high F = 90
| Dec record high F = 89
| year record high F = 109
| Jan avg record high F = 75.6
| Feb avg record high F = 78.7
| Mar avg record high F = 84.2
| Apr avg record high F = 88.2
| May avg record high F = 92.7
| Jun avg record high F = 96.5
| Jul avg record high F = 99.5
| Aug avg record high F = 100.2
| Sep avg record high F = 97.2
| Oct avg record high F = 90.9
| Nov avg record high F = 82.8
| Dec avg record high F = 78.0
| year avg record high F = 101.3
| Jan high F = 57.0
| Feb high F = 61.1
| Mar high F = 69.1
| Apr high F = 76.8
| May high F = 84.4
| Jun high F = 90.5
| Jul high F = 93.2
| Aug high F = 93.6
| Sep high F = 88.7
| Oct high F = 78.8
| Nov high F = 67.3
| Dec high F = 59.0
| year high F = 76.6
| Jan mean F = 46.8
| Feb mean F = 50.7
| Mar mean F = 58.1
| Apr mean F = 65.5
| May mean F = 73.8
| Jun mean F = 80.3
| Jul mean F = 82.8
| Aug mean F = 82.5
| Sep mean F = 77.1
| Oct mean F = 66.3
| Nov mean F = 55.6
| Dec mean F = 48.8
| year mean F = 65.7
| Jan low F = 36.7
| Feb low F = 40.2
| Mar low F = 47.2
| Apr low F = 54.2
| May low F = 63.1
| Jun low F = 70.1
| Jul low F = 72.5
| Aug low F = 71.4
| Sep low F = 65.5
| Oct low F = 53.7
| Nov low F = 43.9
| Dec low F = 38.6
| year low F = 54.8
| Jan avg record low F = 21.3
| Feb avg record low F = 26.0
| Mar avg record low F = 30.6
| Apr avg record low F = 38.8
| May avg record low F = 50.0
| Jun avg record low F = 61.6
| Jul avg record low F = 66.6
| Aug avg record low F = 64.9
| Sep avg record low F = 52.4
| Oct avg record low F = 37.8
| Nov avg record low F = 28.4
| Dec avg record low F = 24.4
| year avg record low F = 19.7
| Jan record low F = −1
| Feb record low F = −2
| Mar record low F = 18
| Apr record low F = 31
| May record low F = 39
| Jun record low F = 51
| Jul record low F = 55
| Aug record low F = 51
| Sep record low F = 35
| Oct record low F = 29
| Nov record low F = 19
| Dec record low F = 5
| year record low F = −2
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 5.15
| Feb precipitation inch = 4.65
| Mar precipitation inch = 5.21
| Apr precipitation inch = 5.83
| May precipitation inch = 4.43
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.45
| Jul precipitation inch = 3.94
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.56
| Sep precipitation inch = 3.55
| Oct precipitation inch = 4.95
| Nov precipitation inch = 4.16
| Dec precipitation inch = 5.22
| year precipitation inch = 55.10
| Jan snow inch = 0.6
| Feb snow inch = 0.1
| Mar snow inch = 0.1
| Apr snow inch = 0.0
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 0.0
| Dec snow inch = 0.1
| year snow inch = 0.9
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 10.2
| Feb precipitation days = 9.7
| Mar precipitation days = 9.8
| Apr precipitation days = 8.3
| May precipitation days = 9.7
| Jun precipitation days = 9.3
| Jul precipitation days = 9.2
| Aug precipitation days = 7.6
| Sep precipitation days = 6.8
| Oct precipitation days = 7.5
| Nov precipitation days = 8.2
| Dec precipitation days = 9.9
| year precipitation days = 106.2
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 0.3
| Feb snow days = 0.4
| Mar snow days = 0.1
| Apr snow days = 0.0
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.0
| Dec snow days = 0.2
| year snow days = 1.0
| source 1 = [[NOAA]] (snow 1981–2010)<ref name= nws>
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=shv
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = August 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00013942&format=pdf
| title = Station: Monroe RGNL AP, LA
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEIsnow>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00013942&format=pdf
| title = Station: Monroe Regional Airport, LA
| work = U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1981-2010)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 20, 2021}}</ref>
}}

===Notable natural disasters===
====March 2016 flood====
In March 2016, rainfall amounts ranging between 15 and 20 inches fell area-wide over 3 days, more than any 3-day period ever previously recorded. In [[Ouachita Parish, Louisiana|Ouachita Parish]] alone, there were 9,500 homes with flood damage, and 5,400 were completely flooded. More than 1,700 high-water rescues were performed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.knoe.com/content/news/Remembering-The-March-2016-Flooding-Experts-Say-It-Can-Happen-Again--415737073.html |title=Remembering the March 2016 flooding-Experts say it could happen again |last=Robichaud |first=Dylan |date=March 8, 2017 |website=knoe.com |access-date=May 24, 2022}}</ref>

====2020 tornado====
As part of the [[2020 Easter tornado outbreak]], on April 12, the community was struck by a [[2020 Monroe tornado|low-end EF3 tornado]]. Damage was severe, but there were no deaths or injuries due to advance warnings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Easter Tornado Outbreak Spawns 140 Tornadoes From Texas to Maryland (RECAP) {{!}} The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel {{!}} weather.com|url=https://weather.com/safety/tornado/news/2020-04-12-severe-weather-outbreak-south-east-tornadoes-damaging-winds|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=The Weather Channel|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 435
|1870= 1949
|1880= 2070
|1890= 3256
|1900= 5428
|1910= 10209
|1920= 12675
|1930= 26028
|1940= 28309
|1950= 38572
|1960= 52219
|1970= 56374
|1980= 57597
|1990= 54909
|2000= 53107
|2010= 48815
|2020= 47702
|estyear=2023
|estimate=46616
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 25, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 27, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 10, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Monroe racial composition as of 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2251410&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 29, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
! scope="col" | Race
! scope="col" | Number
! scope="col" | Percentage
|-
! scope="row" | [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 14,398
| 30.18%
|-
! scope="row" | [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 30,166
| 63.24%
|-
! scope="row" | [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 84
| 0.18%
|-
! scope="row" | [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 835
| 1.75%
|-
! scope="row" | [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 10
| 0.02%
|-
! scope="row" | [[Race (United States Census)|Other/mixed]]
| 1,221
| 2.56%
|-
! scope="row" | [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 988
| 2.07%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 47,702 people, 17,327 households, and 9,811 families residing in the city. At the 2019 [[American Community Survey]], there were 48,241 people and 17,327 households. In 2010, the population was 48,815, declining from the city's historic high of 57,597 at the [[1980 United States census|1980 U.S. census]].

Of the 17,327 [[household]]s in 2019, there were 7,409 owner-occupied housing units. An estimated 3,493 of owner-occupied housing units were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together; 354 were male households with no female present, and 927 were female households with no male present. There was an average family size of 3.58; 27.4% of all households were married couples living together, 29.8% were male households with no female present, and 46.4% were female households with no male present.

The [[median income]] for a household in the city was $30,438 versus $51,073 nationwide. Families had an annual median income of $38,374, married-couple families $75,089, and non-family households $21,210. Approximately 36.8% of the population lived at or below the [[Poverty in the United States|poverty line]]; 54.1% under 18 years, 32.2% aged 18 to 16, and 21.3% aged 65 and older lived at or below the poverty line in 2019.

In 2019, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 62.0% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 32.7% [[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|non-Hispanic or Latin American white]], 0.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 0.8% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 1.0% some other race, 0.9% [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]], and 2.3% [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic and Latin American]] of any race.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=2019 Demographic and Housing Estimates|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2251410&tid=ACSDP5Y2019.DP05&hidePreview=true|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> Among the Hispanic and Latin American population at the 2019 American Community Survey, the largest groups were [[Mexican Americans]] (1.2%) and [[Puerto Ricans]] (0.1%). Other Hispanic and Latin Americans made up 1.0% of the total population. [[Vietnamese Americans|Vietnamese]] and [[Chinese Americans]] were the largest Asian American groups in the city, followed by [[Indian Americans|Asian Indians]]; the Vietnamese community in Monroe and the rest of Louisiana grew following the [[Vietnam War]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vietnamese in Louisiana|url=https://64parishes.org/entry/vietnamese-in-louisiana|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=64 Parishes|language=en}}</ref>

===Religion===
[[File:First Baptist Church, Monroe, LA IMG 1300.JPG|thumb|First Baptist Church, Monroe]]
As part of the [[Bible Belt]], [[Christianity]] is the largest religion in Monroe, the city's [[Monroe, Louisiana metropolitan area|metropolitan area]], and [[North Louisiana]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Religion in Monroe, Louisiana|url=https://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/louisiana/monroe|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=Sperling's BestPlaces}}</ref> In common with much of northern and [[Central Louisiana]], [[Baptists]] makes up the largest [[Christian denomination]] by affiliation. As a predominantly-African-American city, the largest [[List of Baptist denominations|Baptist denominations]] are the [[National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.|National Baptist Convention, USA]]; the [[National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc.|National Baptist Convention of America]]; and the [[Progressive National Baptist Convention]]. The [[Southern Baptist Convention]] also has churches throughout the Monroe area.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Agency|first=Mere|title=SBC Churches Directory|url=https://churches.sbc.net/|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=Southern Baptist Convention|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Methodism]] make up the second-largest Christian denomination by affiliation, primarily divided among the [[African Methodist Episcopal Church|African Methodist Episcopal]] and [[Christian Methodist Episcopal Church|Christian Methodist Episcopal]] churches. The [[Catholic Church]] is the third-largest, and the city's Catholic population is served by the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport]] as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Monroe & West Monroe|url=https://www.dioshpt.org/monroe|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=The Catholic Diocese of Shreveport|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Pentecostalism]] is a growing tradition among the population, divided among Classical Pentecostals, and [[Oneness Pentecostalism|Oneness Pentecostals]]. The [[Church of God in Christ]] and [[United Pentecostal Church International|United Pentecostal Church]] are the largest Pentecostal denominations in the city and metropolitan area; there are also some independent Oneness Pentecostal churches in the city.

[[Islam]] is Monroe's second-largest religion. [[Muslim]]s are predominantly [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]], though the [[Nation of Islam]] also maintains a presence in the area. Former [[mayor]] Jamie Mayo controversially awarded a [[key to the city]] to the head of the Nation of Islam [[Louis Farrakhan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nation of Islam hate group thanks MPD officials for Farrakhan escort|url=https://www.hannapub.com/ouachitacitizen/news/local_state_headlines/nation-of-islam-hate-group-thanks-mpd-officials-for-farrakhan-escort/article_dd1ebe34-eb4b-11e7-9d5b-6fadd274fa2e.html|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=Hanna Newspapers|date=December 27, 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mayo: Nothing Farrakhan said was 'not true'|url=https://www.hannapub.com/ouachitacitizen/news/local_state_headlines/mayo-nothing-farrakhan-said-was-not-true/article_e0f57c52-0d5e-11e8-813a-4b1a087fe838.html|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=Hanna Newspapers|date=February 9, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Judaism]] is Monroe's third-largest religion, with most being of the [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] denomination. Temple B'nai Israel, established in 1868, is Monroe's oldest [[synagogue]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISJL - Louisiana Monroe Encyclopedia|url=https://www.isjl.org/louisiana-monroe-encyclopedia.html|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Russell|first=Olivia|title=Celebrating 150 years of Judaism in Northeast Louisiana|url=https://www.knoe.com/content/news/Celebrating-150-years-of-Judaism-in-Northeast-Louisiana-507464781.html|access-date=August 19, 2021|website=KNOE|date=March 21, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:St. Francis Medical Center Monroe August 2023.jpg|186px|right|thumb|St. Francis Medical Center is located off [[Interstate 20]] in downtown Monroe.]]

===Top employers===
[[File:GGP Pecanland 060616 0106.jpg|right|thumb|186px|[[Pecanland Mall]] south entrance]]

According to the city's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://monroela.us/sites/default/files/2019%20Audit%20%26%20Comprehensive%20Annual%20Financial%20Report%20%281%29.pdf|title=City of Monroe 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report|page=216|date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> the largest employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of employees
|-
|1
|[[Ouachita Parish School Board]]
|2,844
|-
|2
|[[Lumen Technologies|Lumen Technologies, Inc.]] (formerly CenturyLink)
|2,360
|-
|3
|St. Francis Specialty Hospital
|1,584
|-
|4
|[[Monroe City Schools]]
|1,348
|-
|5
|[[Iasis Healthcare|IASIS Healthcare]] (Glenwood Regional Medical Center)
|1,156
|-
|6
|City of Monroe
|1,105
|-
|7
|[[Chase Bank|JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.]]
|930
|-
|8
|[[Walmart]] (three locations)
|912
|-
|9
|[[University of Louisiana at Monroe]]
|885
|-
|10
|[[Graphic Packaging|Graphic Packaging Holding Company]]
|840
|}

===Shopping===
*[[Pecanland Mall]] has major anchor stores: [[Belk]], [[Dillard's]], and [[JC Penney]]. The largest mall in [[North Louisiana]], it has a total of 83 retail stores.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brookfieldpropertiesretail.com/properties/property-details/pecanland-mall.html|title=Retail Space for Lease in Monroe, LA &#124; Pecanland Mall|website=Brookfieldpropertiesretail.com}}</ref>

==Government==
{{see also|List of mayors of Monroe, Louisiana}}
[[File:Monroe City Hall 2023 02.jpg|180px|thumb|Monroe City Hall in 2023]]Monroe uses a [[Mayor–council government|mayor–council form of government]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/la/monroe/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH|title=Monroe, Louisiana - Code of Ordinances (Charter)|website=municode.com|accessdate=May 20, 2022}}</ref> It is led by a city council consisting of a mayor and five councilors. The mayor is elected at large and city councilors are elected by members of a geographic district. Each city council meeting has time for public comment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Your City Government Works |url=https://monroela.us/government/how-it-works |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=City of Monroe, Louisiana |language=en}}</ref>

In the [[Louisiana State Legislature]], Monroe is in the [[Louisiana's 33rd State Senate district|33rd]] and [[Louisiana's 34th State Senate district|34th]] Senate districts, represented by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Stewart Cathey Jr.]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Katrina Jackson]], and the 14th, 16th, and 17th House districts, represented by Republican Michael Charles Echols, and Democrats Adrian Fisher and Patricia "Pat" Moore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senators {{!}} Full Info |url=https://www.senate.la.gov/Senators_FullInfo |access-date=September 13, 2023 |website=www.senate.la.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Full Member Info |url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/H_Reps_FullInfo |access-date=September 13, 2023 |website=house.louisiana.gov}}</ref>

Monroe is located in [[Louisiana's 5th congressional district]], represented by [[Julia Letlow]] in the [[United States House of Representatives]].

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Monroe Civic Center, Louisiana.jpg|right|thumb|186px|Monroe Convention Hall across [[Monroe Civic Center]] designed by [[Hugh G. Parker, Jr.]]]]The [[Monroe Civic Center]] has multiple facilities, the main complex being the Civic Center arena.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Monroe-WestMonroe - Monroe Civic Center|url=https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/facilities-details.cfm?id=2|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=www.monroe-westmonroe.org}}</ref> The arena provides {{convert|44000|sqft|m2|-2}} of exhibit space along with 5,600 seats, with a larger potential capacity of up to 7,200 seats. The arena houses events such as [[banquet]]s, [[circus]]es, and [[rodeo]]s.[[File:Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe, LA IMG 4155.JPG|186px|thumb|The [[Chennault Aviation and Military Museum]] in Monroe|left]]The center also holds the B. D. Robinson Conference Hall,<ref>{{Cite web|title=B.D. Robinson Conference Hall|url=https://monroela.us/government/departments-divisions/community-affairs/venues-divisions/conference-hall|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=City of Monroe, Louisiana|language=en}}</ref> Monroe Convention Center,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Convention Center {{!}} Monroe Civic Center|url=http://yourciviccenter.org/project/conventioncenter/|access-date=August 20, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> equestrian pavilion, and the 2,200-seat W. L. Jack Howard Theatre<ref>{{Cite web|title=W.L. "Jack" Howard Theatre {{!}} Monroe Civic Center|url=http://yourciviccenter.org/project/howard-theatre/|access-date=August 20, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> named for [[W. L. "Jack" Howard]], the [[Union Parish, Louisiana|Union Parish]] native who served as mayor of Monroe from 1956 to 1972 and again from 1976 to 1978. The [[Harvey H. Benoit Recreation Center]] is used for [[basketball]] games and has outdoor [[tennis]] courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://monroela.us/community/parks-and-rec/harvey-h-benoit-community-center|title=Harvey H. Benoit Recreation Center|website=Monroela.us|access-date=May 5, 2019}}</ref>

During the last week of June, Monroe hosts the annual [[Miss Louisiana]] pageant.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20130625/NEWS01/130625001/Contestants-excited-about-50th-Miss-Louisiana-competition-Monroe|title=Sarah Eddington, "Contestants excited about 50th Miss Louisiana competition in Monroe"|newspaper=Alexandria Daily Town Talk|access-date=June 25, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628024644/http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20130625/NEWS01/130625001/Contestants-excited-about-50th-Miss-Louisiana-competition-Monroe|archive-date=June 28, 2013|author-first1=Sarah|author-last1=Eddington}}</ref>

Monroe is the home of the [[Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo]], which collectively maintains over 500 animals. It also offers boat rides and a catwalk, in addition to other seasonal activities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo|url=https://monroela.us/government/departments-divisions/community-affairs/louisiana-purchase-gardens-and-zoo|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=City of Monroe, Louisiana|language=en}}</ref>

The Monroe area is home to several museums, including the [[Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Info|url=https://www.nelcm.org/general-info/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 2, 2021|title=Northeast Louisiana Children's museum to relocate to Forsythe Park|url=https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/northeast-louisiana-childrens-museum-to-relocate-to-forsythe-park/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=KTVE - myarklamiss.com|language=en-US}}</ref> the [[Biedenharn Museum and Gardens]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Monroe-WestMonroe - Biedenharn Museum & Gardens|url=https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/places-to-discover-details.cfm?id=34|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=www.monroe-westmonroe.org}}</ref> the [[Chennault Aviation and Military Museum]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://chennaultmuseum.org/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=Chennault Aviation Museum|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=September 15, 2020|title=Chennault Military Museum|url=https://heartoflouisiana.com/chennaults-flying-tigers/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=The Heart of Louisiana|language=en-US}}</ref> the [[Masur Museum of Arts]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yoshonis|first=Scott|title=Masur Museum is back in business after COVID shutdown, tornado|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/life/2021/06/05/masur-museum-monroe-back-business-after-covid-shutdown-tornado/7449049002/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=The News-Star|language=en-US}}</ref> and the [[Northeast Louisiana Delta African-American Heritage Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum|url=https://countryroadsmagazine.com/locations/northeast-louisiana-delta-african-american-heritage-museum/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=Country Roads Magazine|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=African American Heritage Museum: Celebrating a culture|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/life/2016/07/23/african-american-heritage-museum-celebrating-culture/86365242/|access-date=August 20, 2021|website=The News-Star|language=en-US}}</ref> This is one of the 26 sites identified in the early 21st century as part of the state's [[Louisiana African American Heritage Trail|African American Heritage Trail]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Walk along the African American Heritage Trail|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23565789|access-date=August 20, 2021|publisher=[[NBC News]]|date=March 14, 2008 |language=en}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
Monroe is home to the [[Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge]]. Admission is free.

[[File:BlackBayouLake.Bridge.jpg|thumb|[[Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge]]]]

===Parks===
The City of Monroe owns and operates 17 city parks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parks and Recreation |url=https://monroela.us/community/parks-recreation |access-date=September 13, 2023 |website=City of Monroe, Louisiana |language=en}}</ref>{{cast listing|*Jesse Williams Park
*Lamyville/Magnolia Park
*Charles Johnson Park
*Orange Street Park
*Mt. Nebo Playground Park
*Anita Lane Park
*Hawthorne Street Park
*Myrtle Street Park
*Jasmine Street/Civic Street Park
*Triangle/Stuart Park
*Lida Benton Playground
*Anna Grey Noe Park
*Henry Bry Park
*River Oaks Neighborhood Park
*Sherrouse Neighborhood Park
*Forsythe Point Recreation Area
*Forsythe Park}}

===Golf===
*[[Bayou Desiard Country Club]]
*Chennault Golf Course
*Frenchman's Bend Country Club
*The Links at Muny, Forsythe Park

===Professional Sports===
Monroe was home to the [[Monroe Moccasins]] minor league hockey team in the Western Professional Hockey League from 1997 to 2001. The team will resume play in 2024.

==Media==
{{further|Media in Monroe, Louisiana}}

The [[Gannett]] owned ''News Star'' is the primary daily newspaper serving Monroe and area.

Monroe is served by two African-American-owned weekly newspapers: the ''[[Monroe Free Press]]'' and the ''Monroe Dispatch.'' ''The Free Press'' was founded in 1969 by Roosevelt Wright, Jr., and ''The Dispatch'' was founded in 1975 by Irma and Frank Detiege. ''[[The Ouachita Citizen]]'' is a locally owned and operated weekly newspaper that was founded in 1924. It has all-local coverage of events in Ouachita Parish, including Monroe, [[West Monroe]], [[Sterlington, Louisiana|Sterlington]] and [[Richwood, Louisiana|Richwood]].

=== Television ===

Monroe is the principal city of the Monroe media market for television. Both [[KNOE-TV]] and [[KTVE]] offer a full range of network and local daily news programming.

{{Monroe TV}}

===Radio===
Monroe is served by local radio station [[KJLO-FM|KJLO]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://streame.co/en/Radio_Online_K_104_KJLO_FM_104_1_Monroe|title=Listen Live K-104 - KJLO FM 104.1 - Monroe|website=Streame.co}}</ref> and [[KMVX]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://streame.co/en/s-KMVX|title=Search results for KMVX online radios &#124; Radio stations|website=Streame.co}}</ref> that also broad [[KMLB]] AM 540.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://streame.co/en/Radio_Online_Talk_540_KMLB_AM_540_Monroe|title=Listen Live Talk 540 - KMLB AM 540 - Monroe|website=Streame.co}}</ref>

{{Monroe Radio}}

===Emergency alert stations===
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
*KMLB-KNOE 540 AM
*KMVX-KNOE 101.9 FM
*KNOE TV 8
*KTVE-TV 10
*KARD-TV 14
{{div col end}}

==Education==
[[File:ULM Library and Conference Center, Monroe, LA IMG 2760.JPG|180px|thumb|[[University of Louisiana Monroe]] Library and Conference Center]]
[[File:Monroe City High School (Postcard, dated 1907).jpg|186px|right|thumb|Monroe City High School historic postcard, dated 1907)]]

===Colleges and universities===
* [[Louisiana Delta Community College]]
* [[McCann School of Business & Technology]]
* [[University of Louisiana Monroe]]

===K-12 education===
The city is within the [[Monroe City Schools]] school district, which uses the city boundaries as its boundary.<ref name=CensusSDmap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st22_la/schooldistrict_maps/c22073_ouachita/DC20SD_C22073.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ouachita Parish, LA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2025-01-04}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st22_la/schooldistrict_maps/c22073_ouachita/DC20SD_C22073_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> The school district consists of three high schools, three junior high schools, and 18 elementary schools.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mcschools.net/|title=Home - Monroe City Schools|website=Mcschools.net}}</ref> The Monroe school district operates the following high schools:<!-- any Ouachita Parish public schools outside of the Monroe city limits are not relevant to Monroe city, as it is just in the Monroe city SD-->
* [[Carroll High School (Monroe, Louisiana)|Carroll High School]]
* [[Neville High School]]
* [[Wossman High School]]

The Monroe district is separate from the larger [[Ouachita Parish School System]], which does not include any part of the Monroe city limits.<ref name=CensusSDmap2020/> The Ouachita Parish school district formerly had its headquarters in Monroe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsb.net/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991004190758/http://www.opsb.net/|publisher=Ouachita Parish School Board|archive-date=1999-10-04|access-date=2025-01-04 |title=OPSB.net &#124; Home }}</ref> Ouachita Junior High School is physically in the Monroe city limits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ouachitajunior.opsb.net/|title=Home|publisher=Ouachita Junior High School|access-date=2025-01-04|quote=5500 Blanks Street Monroe, Louisiana 71203}} - Compare with [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st22_la/place/p2251410_monroe/DC20BLK_P2251410.pdf US Census Bureau map of the city, page 6 (PDF p. 7/9), find "Blanks St"]</ref> [[Ouachita Parish High School]] has a Monroe postal address, though it is in an [[unincorporated area]].<ref name=Mapofschool>{{cite web|url=https://ouachitahigh.opsb.net/|title=Home|publisher=Ouachita Parish High School|access-date=2025-01-04|quote=681 Hwy 594 Monroe, Louisiana 71203}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st22_la/place/p2251410_monroe/DC20BLK_P2251410.pdf Compare to this map pages 6-7 (PDF pp. 7-8/9)].</ref> The attendance boundaries of both schools do not include any part of the city limits.

Schools of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Shreveport]]:
*[[St. Frederick Catholic High School (Monroe, Louisiana)|St. Frederick Catholic High School]]
*Jesus the Good Shepherd School - Began operations in 1960<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jesusgoodshepherd.org/|title=Home|publisher=Jesus the Good Shepherd School|access-date=2025-01-04|quote=900 Good Shepherd Lane Monroe, LA 71201 }}</ref>
*Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fatimaschool.org/|title=Home|publisher=Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School|access-date=2025-01-04|quote=3202 Franklin Street Monroe , LA 71201 }}</ref>

Other private schools in the area include:
*[[River Oaks School]] has a Monroe postal address though it is outside of the city limits<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.romustangs.com/|title=Home|publisher=River Oaks School|access-date=2025-01-04|quote=600 Finks Hideaway Rd. Monroe, LA 71203}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st22_la/place/p2251410_monroe/DC20BLK_P2251410.pdf Compare to this map page 4 (PDF p. 5/9)].</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===National Guard===
Monroe is home to the [[528th Engineer Battalion]] of the [[Louisiana]] [[Army National Guard]]. This unit is part of the [[225th Engineer Brigade (United States)|225th Engineer Brigade]] which is headquartered in [[Pineville, Louisiana]] at [[Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville]].

===Transportation===
Monroe was the founding city of [[Delta Air Lines]] in the 1920s. As the airline expanded, it moved to [[Atlanta]]. [[Monroe Regional Airport (Louisiana)|Monroe Regional Airport]] serves the city and northeast Louisiana. It has three main runways and is served by regional partners of [[American Airlines]] and [[Delta Air Lines]].

[[Greyhound Bus Lines]] provides transportation from Monroe to many cities across the nation. Monroe has the oldest municipally owned transit system in the nation. Created in 1906 as a four-line street railroad, the Monroe Transit System now provides 13 fixed bus routes covering most areas of the city, and three demand-response buses serving the disabled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://monroela.us/monroe-transit.php |title=Monroe Transit |access-date=February 1, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222193852/http://monroela.us/monroe-transit.php |archive-date=December 22, 2014}}</ref>

Monroe can be accessed from [[Interstate 20 in Louisiana|Interstate 20]], [[U.S. Route 165|U.S. Highway 165]], [[Louisiana Highway 15]], [[U.S. Route 80 in Louisiana|U.S. Highway 80]], and [[Interstate 420 (Louisiana)|Interstate 420]] (proposed).

[[Kansas City Southern Railway|Kansas City Southern]], [[Union Pacific]], [[BNSF]], and [[Norfolk Southern]] serve [[freight transport|freight traffic]] in the city.

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Monroe, Louisiana}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://monroela.us/}}
* {{Cite Americana|wstitle=Monroe (Louisiana)|year=1920|display=Monroe, La. |short=x}}
* {{Cite Collier's|wstitle=Monroe (Louisiana)|year=1921|display=Monroe, a city of Louisiana}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Monroe
|North     = [[Pine Bluff, Arkansas|Pine Bluff, AR]]
|Northeast = [[Greenville, Mississippi|Greenville, MS]]
|East      = [[Vicksburg, Mississippi|Vicksburg, MS]]
|Southeast = [[Natchez, Mississippi|Natchez, MS]]
|South     = [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]]
|Southwest = [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]
|West      = [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]]
|Northwest = [[El Dorado, Arkansas|El Dorado, AR]]
}}
{{Navboxes
| list =
{{Monroe, Louisiana}}
{{Ouachita Parish, Louisiana}}
{{Louisiana parish seats}}
{{Louisiana}}
}}

{{Portal bar|Cities|Louisiana}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Monroe, Louisiana| ]]
[[Category:1845 establishments in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Cities in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Cities in North Louisiana]]
[[Category:Cities in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Louisiana African American Heritage Trail]]
[[Category:Louisiana populated places on the Ouachita River]]
[[Category:Parish seats in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1845]]