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Monroe County, Missouri facts for kids

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Monroe County
U.S. county
The Monroe County Courthouse in Paris
The Monroe County Courthouse in Paris
Map of Missouri highlighting Monroe County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Missouri
Founded January 6, 1831
Named for James Monroe
Seat Paris
Largest city Monroe City
Area
 • Total 670 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land 648 sq mi (1,680 km2)
 • Water 23 sq mi (60 km2)  3.4%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 8,840
 • Estimate 
(2018)
 8,664
 • Density 13.19/sq mi (5.09/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 6th

Monroe County is a county in northeast Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,840. Its county seat is Paris. It is the birthplace of Mark Twain.

History

The county was organized January 6, 1831 and named for James Monroe, fifth President of the United States.

Monroe County was one of several along the Missouri River settled by migrants from the Upper South, especially Kentucky and Tennessee. They brought slaves and slaveholding traditions with them, and quickly started cultivating crops similar to those in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky: hemp and tobacco. They also brought characteristic antebellum architecture and culture. The county was considered at the heart of what was called Little Dixie.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 670 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 648 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 23 square miles (60 km2) (3.4%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1840 9,505 —
1850 10,541 10.9%
1860 14,785 40.3%
1870 17,149 16.0%
1880 19,071 11.2%
1890 20,790 9.0%
1900 19,716 −5.2%
1910 18,304 −7.2%
1920 16,414 −10.3%
1930 13,466 −18.0%
1940 13,195 −2.0%
1950 11,314 −14.3%
1960 10,688 −5.5%
1970 9,542 −10.7%
1980 9,716 1.8%
1990 9,104 −6.3%
2000 9,311 2.3%
2010 8,840 −5.1%
2018 (est.) 8,664 −2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2015

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,840 people, 3,656 households, and 2,566 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 inhabitants per square mile (5.4/km2). There were 4,565 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (2.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.66% White, 3.83% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Approximately 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.7% were of German, 23.2% American, 14.2% English and 11.8% Irish ancestry.

There were 3,656 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,871, and the median income for a family was $36,895. Males had a median income of $26,534 versus $20,440 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,695. About 8.30% of families and 11.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Education

Public schools

    • Holliday Elementary School (K-08)
    • Madison Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Madison High School (07-12)
  • Middle Grove C-1 School District – Madison
    • Middle Grove Elementary School (K-08)
    • Monroe City Elementary School (PK-04)
    • Monroe City Middle School (05-08)
    • Monroe City High School (09-12)
    • Paris Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Paris Junior High School (07-08)
    • Paris High School (09-12)

Public libraries

  • Monroe City Public Library

Notable people

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