West Monroe, Louisiana
West Monroe, Louisiana | |
---|---|
CDT) | |
Area code | 318 |
FIPS code | 22-80955 |
Website | [1] |
West Monroe is a city in
History
Originally laid out in 1837 as Byron by John Campbell at the foot of the ferry landing to Monroe, the town floundered and Campbell went bankrupt. The area was bought by Christopher Dabbs, a doctor from Virginia who submitted the plans for Cotton Port in 1854; it was officially recognized in 1859. It too languished until the arrival of the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railway and the construction of the bridge over the Ouachita River. Cotton Port boomed as a river port and rail depot.[2]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.0 square miles (20.6 km2), of which 7.7 square miles (20.0 km2) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.6 km2) (3.14%) is water.
West Monroe is a separate municipality from Monroe.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
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[3] |
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% |
Latino
|
744 | 5.68% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 13,103 people, 5,616 households, and 2,636 families residing in the city.
Government
The current mayor is Staci Albritton Mitchell, who has served since 2018.
A 2013 "Community Impressions" report complimented the green spaces, including the Kiroli and Restoration parks, and Antique Alley as important assets to the West Monroe community. According to long-term Mayor
National Guard
1022nd Engineer Company (Vertical) of the 527th Engineer Battalion of the
Media
Radio
West Monroe shares the radio market with Monroe
Notable people
- Evelyn Blackmon, Realtor and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 15 from 1984 to 1988[6]
- Donnie Copeland, former West Monroe Pentecostal assistant pastor and Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, 2015 to 2017[7]
- Clarence Faulk, publisher, broadcaster, businessman in Ruston, born in West Monroe in 1909
- William C. Feazel, oilman, interim U.S. Senator in 1948, and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1932 to 1936
- Bruce Fowler, opera singer
- Andy Griggs, country singer
- Kevin Gordon, Americana singer/songwriter
- James D. Halsell, astronaut; space shuttle pilot
- Dixon Hearne, author
- Alton Hardy Howard, co-founder of Howard Brothers Discount Stores; gospel songwriter and author
- NFL linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys who played football at Louisiana State University, Wossman High School, before transferring to West Monroe High School
- Rickey Minor, music director, composer and music producer. Born in Monroe.
- William Wiley Norris, III (1936-2016), city, district, and circuit court judge
- Country Music Hall of Famemember
- Phil Robertson, Duck Dynasty star and founder of Duck Commander
- Kay Robertson, Duck Dynasty star
- Sadie Robertson, Duck Dynasty star
- Si Robertson, Duck Dynasty star
- Willie Robertson, Duck Dynasty star
- Jase Robertson, Duck Dynasty star
- Korie Robertson, Duck Dynasty star
- Bill Russell, professional basketball player, center for Boston Celtics, five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and twelve-time All-Star
- Mike Walsworth, 1st State Senator from West Monroe
- NFL offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams who played football at Louisiana State Universityand West Monroe High School
References
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
- ^ "Antique Alley".
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Greg Hilburn, "Consultants: 'West Monroe clean, vibrant, growing'"". Monroe News-Star. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ^ "Former state representative Blackmon dead at 89", Monroe News-Star, May 22, 2014
- Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 18, 2016.