kids encyclopedia robot

Monroe, North Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Monroe, North Carolina
City
Union County Courthouse in Monroe
Union County Courthouse in Monroe
Flag of Monroe, North Carolina
Flag
Official seal of Monroe, North Carolina
Seal
Motto(s): 
"Where Heartland Meets High Tech"
Location of Monroe, North Carolina
Location of Monroe, North Carolina
Country United States
State North Carolina
County Union
Named for James Monroe
Government
 • Type Council–manager
Area
 • Total 31.54 sq mi (81.68 km2)
 • Land 30.92 sq mi (80.08 km2)
 • Water 0.62 sq mi (1.60 km2)
Elevation
591 ft (180 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 34,562
 • Density 1,117.86/sq mi (431.61/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
28110-28112
Area code(s) 704 980
FIPS code 37-43920
GNIS feature ID 2404284

Monroe is a city in and the county seat of Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population increased from 32,797 in 2010 to 34,551 in 2020. It is within the rapidly growing Charlotte metropolitan area. Monroe has a council-manager form of government.

History

In 1843, the first Board of County Commissioners, appointed by the General Assembly, selected an area in the center of the county as the county seat and Monroe was incorporated that year. It was named for James Monroe, the country’s fifth president. It became a trading center for the agricultural areas of the upland region, which cultivated tobacco.

Since the early 20th century, Ludwig drums and timpani have been manufactured in Monroe. The Ludwig brothers developed a hydraulic action timpani. In 1916 they invented a spring mechanism—the basis for the current Balanced Action Pedal Timpani.

Monroe had the typical segregation of the state following World War II, and local blacks, including Marine veteran Robert F. Williams, began to work to gain civil rights. At this time, the city had a population estimated at about 12,000; the press reported an estimated 7500 members of the Ku Klux Klan in the city. Williams became president of the local NAACP chapter and began to work to integrate public facilities, starting with the library and the city's swimming pool. These had been built with federal funds during the Great Depression of the 1930s and were operated from revenues derived from taxes on blacks as well as whites.

Monroe was home to the Starlite Speedway in the 1960s to 1970s. On May 13, 1966 the 1/2 mile dirt track hosted NASCAR's 'Independent 250.' Darel Dieringer won the race.

As part of the developing Charlotte metropolitan area, in the 21st century, Monroe has attracted new Hispanic residents. North Carolina has encouraged immigration to increase its labor pool.

The Malcolm K. Lee House, Monroe City Hall, Monroe Downtown Historic District, Monroe Residential Historic District, Piedmont Buggy Factory, John C. Sikes House, Union County Courthouse, United States Post Office, and Waxhaw-Weddington Roads Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Charlotte–Monroe Executive Airport (EQY) is located 5 mi (8.0 km) northwest of Monroe.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.9 square miles (64 km2), of which, 24.6 square miles (64 km2) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) of it (1.13%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 204
1860 239 17.2%
1870 1,144 378.7%
1880 1,564 36.7%
1890 1,866 19.3%
1900 2,427 30.1%
1910 4,082 68.2%
1920 4,084 0.0%
1930 6,100 49.4%
1940 6,475 6.1%
1950 10,140 56.6%
1960 10,882 7.3%
1970 11,282 3.7%
1980 12,639 12.0%
1990 16,127 27.6%
2000 26,228 62.6%
2010 32,797 25.0%
2020 34,551 5.3%
2021 (est.) 34,888 6.4%

2020 census

Monroe racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 14,118 40.85%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 7,787 22.53%
Native American 97 0.28%
Asian 390 1.13%
Pacific Islander 15 0.04%
Other/Mixed 1,216 3.52%
Hispanic or Latino 10,939 31.65%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 34,562 people, 11,482 households, and 8,657 families residing in the city.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 32,797 people, 9,029 households, and 6,392 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,067.5 people per square mile (412.2/km2). There were 9,621 housing units at an average density of 391.6 per square mile (151.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 60.12% White, 27.78% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 9.37% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.39% of the population.

There were 9,029 households, out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,457, and the median income for a family was $44,953. Males had a median income of $30,265 versus $22,889 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,970. About 11.7% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Sports

Two minor league baseball teams in the Western Carolinas League were based in Monroe. The Monroe Indians played in the city in 1969, while the Monroe Pirates played there in 1971.

Media

The local newspaper is The Enquirer-Journal, which is published three days a week (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday).

The local radio stations are WIXE 1190 AM radio and WDZD 99.1 FM.

Transportation

U.S. Route 74 runs east-west through Monroe; U.S. Route 601 runs north-south through the city. The Monroe Expressway bypasses the city.

Charlotte–Monroe Executive Airport (EQY) is located 5 mi (8.0 km) northwest of Monroe. Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the nearest airport with commercial flights is 37 mi (60 km) northwest of Monroe.

The Seaboard Air Line Railroad ran multiple passenger trains a day on the Raleigh-Athens-Atlanta route through Monroe, including the Silver Comet (New York-Birmingham). The SAL also operated Charlotte (SAL station)-Hamlet-Wilmington passenger trains, also making stops in Monroe. This Charlotte-Wilmington service ended in 1958. The last train was the Silver Comet, ending service in October 1969. Trains used to stop at the Seaboard Air Line Railroad depot.

Notable people

  • Adrian Autry, retired professional basketball player who is currently the associate head coach for the Syracuse Orange
  • Terry Baucom, banjoist
  • Thomas Walter Bickett, 54th Governor of North Carolina (1917–1921)
  • Skipper Bowles, politician
  • Walter P. Carter, civil rights activist
  • Gil Coan, Major League Baseball player
  • Grover Covington, Canadian Football Hall of Famer
  • Jamison Crowder, NFL wide receiver for New York Jets
  • Carlo Curley, classical organist
  • Christine Darden, aeronautical engineer at NASA; first African-American woman at agency promoted to Senior Executive Service, top rank of federal civil service
  • Theodore L. Futch, Brigadier general in the United States Army during World War II
  • JoJo Hailey, R&B and soul singer-songwriter
  • K-ci Hailey, R&B and soul singer-songwriter
  • Jesse Helms, U.S. Senator
  • Richard Huntley, former NFL running back
  • Michael Macchiavello, American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler, won NCAA Wrestling national championship at NC State
  • Carroll McCray, NCAA head football coach of Gardner-Webb University
  • Jeff McNeely, Major League Baseball player
  • James W. Nance, U.S. Navy officer, 10th Deputy National Security Advisor (1981–1982)
  • John J. Parker, U.S. judge who served on tribunal of Nuremberg Trials
  • Samuel I. Parker, recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I
  • Aaron W. Plyler, politician and businessman
  • Mike Pope, former NFL tight end coach
  • Calvin Richardson, R&B and soul singer-songwriter
  • Speedy Thompson, former NASCAR driver
  • Andy Tomberlin, Major League Baseball player
  • John Tsitouris, Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Paul Waggoner, guitarist for Between the Buried and Me
  • Robert F. Williams, civil rights activist
  • Terry Witherspoon, former NFL fullback

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Monroe (Carolina del Norte) para niños

kids search engine
Monroe, North Carolina Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.