Monticello, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Monticello, Arkansas
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Location of Monticello in Drew County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Drew |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council government |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.74 sq mi (27.82 km2) |
| • Land | 10.72 sq mi (27.78 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 292 ft (89 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,442 |
| • Density | 787.13/sq mi (303.91/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
71655-71657
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-46580 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0052144 |
Monticello ( MON-tih-SEL-oh) is a college town in, and the county seat of, Drew County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 9,467. Founded in 1849 in the Arkansas Timberlands very near the Arkansas Delta region, the city has long been a commercial, cultural and educational hub for southeast Arkansas. With a historically agriculture- and silviculture-based economy, Monticello has diversified to include growth from the medical sector and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM).
Contents
History
When Drew County was formed in 1846, its citizens decided that a new town should be built to serve as the county seat. In 1849, land was donated for the town site. The first courthouse was built in 1851, and a second courthouse was erected in 1857.
During the Civil War, several small skirmishes were fought around Monticello. The Rodger's Female Academy was used as a hospital for Confederate soldiers.
Geography
Monticello is located west of the center of Drew County at 33°37′38″N 91°47′38″W / 33.62722°N 91.79389°W (33.627183, −91.793787). U.S. Routes 425 and 278 intersect in the city, west of downtown. U.S. 425 leads north 50 miles (80 km) to Pine Bluff and south 29 miles (47 km) to Hamburg, while US 278 leads west 16 miles (26 km) to Warren and east 26 miles (42 km) to McGehee.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Monticello has a total area of 11.0 square miles (28.6 km2), of which 0.02 square miles (0.04 km2), or 0.14%, is water.
Climate
Monticello lies in the humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen Cfa). The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.
| Climate data for Monticello, Arkansas (1981–2010 normals) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 83 (28) |
85 (29) |
89 (32) |
96 (36) |
98 (37) |
104 (40) |
109 (43) |
107 (42) |
108 (42) |
96 (36) |
89 (32) |
82 (28) |
109 (43) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 53 (12) |
58 (14) |
67 (19) |
75 (24) |
82 (28) |
89 (32) |
92 (33) |
92 (33) |
87 (31) |
76 (24) |
65 (18) |
55 (13) |
74 (23) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 33 (1) |
38 (3) |
44 (7) |
52 (11) |
61 (16) |
69 (21) |
72 (22) |
71 (22) |
64 (18) |
53 (12) |
44 (7) |
36 (2) |
53 (12) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −6 (−21) |
−6 (−21) |
11 (−12) |
22 (−6) |
36 (2) |
46 (8) |
52 (11) |
49 (9) |
35 (2) |
24 (−4) |
11 (−12) |
0 (−18) |
−6 (−21) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.68 (119) |
5.16 (131) |
5.16 (131) |
4.79 (122) |
5.04 (128) |
4.08 (104) |
3.59 (91) |
2.85 (72) |
2.96 (75) |
4.63 (118) |
5.10 (130) |
5.64 (143) |
53.68 (1,364) |
| Source: The Weather Channel | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 891 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,285 | 44.2% | |
| 1900 | 1,579 | 22.9% | |
| 1910 | 2,274 | 44.0% | |
| 1920 | 2,378 | 4.6% | |
| 1930 | 3,076 | 29.4% | |
| 1940 | 3,650 | 18.7% | |
| 1950 | 4,501 | 23.3% | |
| 1960 | 4,412 | −2.0% | |
| 1970 | 5,085 | 15.3% | |
| 1980 | 8,259 | 62.4% | |
| 1990 | 8,116 | −1.7% | |
| 2000 | 9,146 | 12.7% | |
| 2010 | 9,467 | 3.5% | |
| 2020 | 8,442 | −10.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 4,324 | 51.22% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 3,293 | 39.01% |
| Native American | 50 | 0.59% |
| Asian | 78 | 0.92% |
| Pacific Islander | 7 | 0.08% |
| Other/Mixed | 322 | 3.81% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 368 | 4.36% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,442 people, 3,703 households, and 2,104 families residing in the city.
Education
Primary and secondary
Most of Monticello is served by the Monticello School District while small portions are served by the Drew Central School District.
The Monticello School District consists of Monticello Elementary School (grades K to 2), Monticello Intermediate School (grades 3 to 5) Monticello Middle School (grades 6 to 8), and Monticello High School (grades 9 to 12).
The Drew Central School District primarily serves the outlying areas of Monticello. It consists of Drew Central Elementary School (grades PreK to 4), Drew Central Middle School (grades 5 to 8), and Drew Central High School (grades 9 to 12).
Monticello also has two private academies. Monticello Christian Academy serves grades K through 12, and Grace Christian Academy serves grades K through 8.
Athletics
High School football is a popular community event; the Monticello High School Billies won the AAA (now AAAAA) state championship in 1994 and in 2009.
Post-secondary
Monticello is the home of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Notable people
- James Milton Carroll, Baptist pastor and historian
- Saul Davis, Negro league baseball player
- Rodney Shelton Foss, potentially the first American killed in World War II
- Hershel Gober, former United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
- Jesse Gonder, baseball player for New York Mets
- Catherine Dorris Norrell, U.S. Representative, 1961-1963
- William F. Norrell, U.S. Representative, 1939-1961
- Eric Reed, Major League Baseball player
- William F. Slemons, U.S. Representative, 1875-1881
- Trent Harmon, winner of the 15th season of American Idol
See also
In Spanish: Monticello (Arkansas) para niños
