Monroe, North Carolina

Monroe is a city in Union County, North Carolina in the United States. It is an important place because it is the county seat, which means it is the main city for the county. In 2010, about 32,797 people lived there, and by 2020, the population grew to around 34,551, making it the 28th most populous city in North Carolina.

Monroe is part of the fast-growing Charlotte metropolitan area. This area is becoming more and more popular, with many people moving in and new things being built. The city runs with a council-manager form of government, which helps it stay organized and make decisions for the community.

History

Monroe was founded as a planned settlement in 1843 and became the county seat of Union County that year. It was named after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States. The city grew as a trading center for the surrounding agricultural areas.

During the civil rights movement, Monroe saw efforts to end racial segregation. Leaders like Robert F. Williams worked to integrate public places such as libraries and swimming pools. Despite facing strong opposition, these efforts helped advance equal rights. Later, Monroe became part of the growing Charlotte metropolitan area, attracting new residents and businesses.

Geography

The city of Monroe covers a total area of 24.9 square miles (64 km²). Out of this, 24.6 square miles (64 km²) is land, and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) is water.

Demographics

2020 census

According to the 2020 census, Monroe had a population of 34,562 people. The median age was 35.5 years. About 27% of residents were younger than 18, and 14.5% were 65 years or older.

Most people, around 95%, lived in urban areas, with only 5% in rural areas. There were 12,160 households, with many having children under 18. Most households were led by married couples, but some were led by single males or females.

There were 12,924 housing units, with a small percentage being empty. Some homes were owned, while others were rented.

2010 census

In 2010, the city had 32,797 people. The population density was 1,067.5 people per square mile. The racial makeup included White, African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, people from other races, and those from two or more races. Many people identified as Hispanic or Latino.

There were 9,029 households. Many had children under 18, and about half were led by married couples. Some households were led by single females. The average household size was 2.83, and the average family size was 3.27.

The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. The median income for a household was $40,457, and for a family, it was $44,953. About 11.7% of families and 17.2% of the population lived below the poverty line, including many younger people and older adults.

Sports

Monroe, North Carolina, was home to two minor league baseball teams in the Western Carolinas League. The Monroe Indians played there in 1969, and the Monroe Pirates played there in 1971.

Media

Monroe has a local newspaper called The Enquirer-Journal. It is published three days a week: Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

The city also has local radio stations. These include WIXE at 1190 AM and WDZD at 99.1 FM.

Transportation

U.S. Route 74 goes east to west through Monroe, and U.S. Route 601 goes north to south through the city. The Monroe Expressway goes around the city.

The Charlotte–Monroe Executive Airport (EQY) is about 5 miles northwest of Monroe. The closest airport with flights is Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is 37 miles northwest of Monroe.

The Seaboard Air Line Railroad used to have many trains going daily on the Raleigh-Athens-Atlanta route through Monroe, including the Silver Comet. They also had trains from Charlotte to Hamlet to Wilmington that stopped in Monroe. This service ended in 1958, and the last train, the Silver Comet, stopped running in October 1969. Trains would stop at the Seaboard Air Line Railroad depot.

Notable people

Monroe, North Carolina, has been home to many interesting people. Some of them became well-known for their achievements in sports, music, politics, and more.

Here are a few examples:

• Adrian Autry, a former basketball player and now a coach
• Terry Baucom, a talented banjo player
• Thomas Walter Bickett, who served as the Governor of North Carolina
• Walter P. Carter, who worked hard for civil rights
• Gil Coan, a player in Major League Baseball
• Jamison Crowder, a football player for the Washington Commanders
• Christine Darden, an important aeronautical engineer at NASA
• JoJo Hailey and K-ci Hailey, singers known for their music
• Jesse Helms, a U.S. Senator
• Richard Huntley, a former football player
• Michael Macchiavello, a wrestler who won a national championship
• Calvin Richardson, another talented singer
• Speedy Thompson, a race car driver
• Paul Waggoner, a guitarist for the band Between the Buried and Me

These individuals have made their mark in various fields and have connections to Monroe.