Monett, Missouri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Monett, Missouri
City
Monett Downtown facing west
Motto(s):  Pride & Progress
Location of Monett, Missouri
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Counties	Barry, Lawrence
Township	Monett, Pierce
Founded	1870
Incorporated	1887
Area
• Total	8.82 sq mi (22.83 km2)
• Land	8.79 sq mi (22.77 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Elevation	1,309 ft (399 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,576
• Density	1,089.05/sq mi (420.48/km2)
Demonym(s)	Monettian
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	65708
Area code(s)	417
FIPS code	29-49196
GNIS feature ID	2395370

Monett is a city in the state of Missouri, USA. It is located in both Barry and Lawrence counties. Monett is the largest city in Barry County.

The city is nestled in the beautiful Ozarks. It sits just south of Interstate 44. This highway connects Monett to bigger cities like Joplin and Springfield. In 2020, about 9,576 people lived in Monett.

A Look Back: Monett's History

Monett started as a railroad town. The St. Louis–San Francisco Railway, also called the "Frisco Line," arrived in 1870. They built a main line and a branch line going to Paris, Texas. Both of these train lines are still used today by the BNSF Railway.

How Monett Got Its Name

Before it was called Monett, the area had a few different names. It was known as Kings Prairie Depot, then Plymouth, and later Plymouth Junction. When the Post Office said there were too many "Plymouths," it was briefly called Gonten. Finally, in 1887, the town was officially named Monett. It was named after Henry Monett, a well-liked train station agent.

Monett's Sweet Past

Monett was famous for its railroads. It even had a "Harvey House" at the train station from 1896 to 1930. These were popular restaurants for travelers. The town was also known for its fruit farms. It was nicknamed the "Strawberry Capital of the Midwest" because so many strawberries grew there! The Ozark Fruit Growers Association building, built in 1927, is now a historic landmark.

Historic Places in Monett

Several buildings in Monett are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. These include the David W. Courdin House, the Downtown Monett Historic District, and the Waldensian Church and Cemetery of Stone Prairie.

Who Lives in Monett? Demographics

Monett has grown steadily over the years. Here's how its population has changed:

Monett's Population in 2020

The 2020 census counted 9,576 people living in Monett. There were 3,246 households, which are groups of people living together. About 35.5% of these households had children under 18. The average household had about 2.8 people.

The median age in Monett was 33.6 years old. This means half the people were younger than 33.6, and half were older. About 26.1% of the population was under 18 years old.

What Drives Monett's Economy?

Monett's economy is strong and diverse. It relies on several key areas:

• Manufacturing (making things)
• Financial services (money-related businesses)
• Software development
• Retail (stores and shops)
• Education (schools and colleges)

Key Businesses in Monett

Many important companies have a presence in Monett. These include:

• Jack Henry & Associates (software for banks)
• CoxHealth (healthcare)
• Tyson Foods (food production)
• Miracle Recreation Equipment Company (playground equipment)
• Schreiber Foods (dairy products)
• Hydro Aluminum
• International Dehydrated Foods
• Architectural Systems Inc.
• EFCO
• WinTech

Growth and Development

Monett has grown a lot in the past 20 years. The historic downtown area has seen many improvements. These changes have brought new businesses and a lively cultural scene to the city.

Getting Around: Transportation in Monett

Monett is well-connected by different types of transportation.

Highways for Travel

Monett is located where U.S. Route 60 and Missouri Route 37 meet. These highways connect the town to Interstate 44. This makes it easy to reach larger areas like Joplin, Springfield, and Northwest Arkansas.

Trains meeting in Monett

Monett Municipal Airport

The Monett Municipal Airport (HFJ) is a public airport. In 2008, it had 18,100 aircraft operations. This means many planes took off or landed there. The airport is important for the local economy.

Railroads Still Active

Monett was once a very busy train depot for the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway. Today, it is served by the BNSF Railway and the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad. Trains continue to be a part of Monett's transportation.

Learning in Monett: Education

Monett has a good education system, from elementary school to college.

Public Schools

Monett is part of the Monett R-1 School District. The district includes:

• Monett High School
• Scott Regional Technology Center
• Monett Middle School
• Monett Intermediate School
• Central Park Elementary
• Monett Elementary

There is also the Oakview State School K-12. This school is for students with severe disabilities in the Monett area.

Private Schools

Monett also has private schools. These include Berean Christian Academy and St. Lawrence Catholic Elementary.

Higher Education Opportunities

For students looking to continue their education, Drury University has a satellite campus in downtown Monett.

Public Library

Monett has a public library. It is a branch of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library. This means residents can borrow books and use other library services.

Fun and Culture in Monett

Monett is part of a group of cities and towns in Southwest Missouri. This area is known for its Ozark Mountain culture.

Entertainment and Arts

• The Performing Arts Center (PAC) hosts plays and shows by the Community Theatre.
• "First on Front" is a fun festival held from May to August. It happens on the first Friday of each month. You can find live music, food trucks, and a beer garden there.

Sports in Monett

Monett has a history of sports success.

• From 1936 to 1939, the Monett Red Birds played baseball. They were a minor league team for the St. Louis Cardinals.
• The Monett High School Football team is very successful. In 2018, they were inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. They have won three state championships (in 1971, 1977, and 2016). They also have many conference and district titles.

News and Media

Monett has its own local media to keep residents informed.

Newspapers

• The Monett Times is the local newspaper.

Radio

• KKBL is a radio station at 95.9 FM. It plays adult contemporary music and news.

Magazines

• "Connection" is a magazine for people in Southwest Missouri.

Healthcare in Monett

Monett has a modern hospital. The Cox Monett Hospital is part of CoxHealth. It was built in 2021 to serve the community.

Famous People from Monett

Many notable people have connections to Monett:

• Murray Bishoff: An author and journalist who won an Inkpot Award.
• Walter Bribeck: A baseball player in the American Negro League.
• Ginny Duenkel: An Olympic gold medalist swimmer from 1964.
• Jack Henry: The founder of Jack Henry & Associates, a major financial services company based in Monett.
• James B. Kring: A professor of entomology (the study of insects).
• Heinie Mueller (outfielder): A Major League Baseball player and manager of the Monett Red Birds.
• Phil Mulkey: A track and field athlete.
• Sally Shelton-Colby: A U.S. Ambassador to several countries.
• Howard F. Stone: A lieutenant general in the U.S. Army.

Monett's Location: Geography

Monett is located at coordinates 36°55′25″N 93°55′20″W / 36.92361°N 93.92222°W / 36.92361; -93.92222.

The United States Census Bureau says that Monett covers a total area of about 8.45 square miles (21.89 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small amount of water.

Images for kids

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  Monett Downtown facing west

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  Location of Monett, Missouri

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  Trains meeting in Monett