West Monroe, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Monroe, Louisiana
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Cottonport Historic District in West Monroe
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Location of West Monroe in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.
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Location of Louisiana in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Ouachita |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.31 sq mi (21.53 km2) |
| • Land | 8.03 sq mi (20.79 km2) |
| • Water | 0.29 sq mi (0.74 km2) |
| Elevation | 82 ft (25 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 13,103 |
| • Density | 1,632.57/sq mi (630.35/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 318 |
| FIPS code | 22-80955 |
| Website | [1] |
West Monroe is a city in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. It's the second largest city in this area. West Monroe is located right on the Ouachita River. It sits across the river from its neighbor, Monroe. Because they are so close, these two cities are often called the Twin Cities of northeast Louisiana. In 2020, about 13,103 people lived in West Monroe. It is part of the larger Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History of West Monroe
West Monroe was first planned in 1837 by John Campbell. He called it Byron. It was located near the ferry crossing to Monroe. But the town didn't grow much, and Campbell faced financial problems.
Later, in 1854, a doctor named Christopher Dabbs bought the land. He submitted new plans for a town called Cotton Port. This name became official in 1859. Cotton Port also grew slowly until something big happened: the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railway arrived. A bridge was built over the Ouachita River, connecting the two sides. After that, Cotton Port became a busy place, serving as both a river port and a train station.
Geography of West Monroe
West Monroe covers a total area of about 8.31 square miles (21.53 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 8.03 square miles (20.79 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.29 square miles (0.74 square kilometers), is water.
It's important to know that West Monroe is its own city. It is separate from Monroe, even though they are very close.
People and Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 447 | — | |
| 1900 | 775 | 73.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,127 | 45.4% | |
| 1920 | 2,240 | 98.8% | |
| 1930 | 6,566 | 193.1% | |
| 1940 | 8,560 | 30.4% | |
| 1950 | 10,302 | 20.4% | |
| 1960 | 15,215 | 47.7% | |
| 1970 | 14,868 | −2.3% | |
| 1980 | 14,993 | 0.8% | |
| 1990 | 14,096 | −6.0% | |
| 2000 | 13,250 | −6.0% | |
| 2010 | 13,065 | −1.4% | |
| 2020 | 13,103 | 0.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of West Monroe has changed over the years. The table shows how many people lived in the city during different U.S. Census counts. For example, in 1890, there were 447 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 13,103.
Who Lives in West Monroe?
In 2020, there were 13,103 people living in West Monroe. These people lived in 5,616 households, and 2,636 of these were families.
The table below shows the different groups of people living in West Monroe based on the 2020 census.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 7,082 | 54.05% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 4,607 | 35.16% |
| Native American | 27 | 0.21% |
| Asian | 116 | 0.89% |
| Pacific Islander | 6 | 0.05% |
| Other/Mixed | 521 | 3.98% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 744 | 5.68% |
Media and Radio
West Monroe shares its radio stations with the nearby city of Monroe. This means people in West Monroe can listen to the same radio channels as those in Monroe.
Education in West Monroe
The schools in West Monroe are part of the Ouachita Parish School System. This school district manages the public schools in the area.
Notable People from West Monroe
Many interesting people have connections to West Monroe. Here are a few:
- Bill Russell: A very famous professional basketball player. He played as a center for the Boston Celtics. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player award five times and was an All-Star twelve times.
- James D. Halsell: An astronaut who was a space shuttle pilot.
- Bradie James: An NFL linebacker who played for the Dallas Cowboys. He also played football at Louisiana State University and West Monroe High School.
- Andrew Whitworth: Another NFL offensive tackle who played for the Los Angeles Rams. He also played football at Louisiana State University and West Monroe High School.
- Webb Pierce: A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- The Robertson Family: Several members of the Robertson family, known from the TV show Duck Dynasty, are from West Monroe. This includes Phil Robertson (who founded Duck Commander), Kay Robertson, Sadie Robertson, Si Robertson, Willie Robertson, Jase Robertson, and Korie Robertson.
- Rickey Minor: A music director, composer, and music producer.
See also
In Spanish: West Monroe (Luisiana) para niños
