Monroe, LA

Monroe is located at 322km northwest of New Orleans. It is the trade center for that region of the state. It's looking a bit forlorn and run down these days, however. In the middle of a lakes-and-streams area, it does make a convenient base for fishing and other water sports. The Emy-Lou Biedenharn Foundation has a trio of attractions: the home of Joseph Biedenharn, the first man to bottle Coca-Cola; Elsong Gardens, formal gardens surrounding the house, named for his daughter Emy-Lou; and the Bible Research Center, containing artwork, manuscripts and rare Bibles.

Population (year 2000): 53,107. Estimated population in July 2005: 51,914 (-2.2% change)
Males: 24,259 (45.7%), Females: 28,848 (54.3%)

Zip codes: 71201, 71202, 71203.

Median resident age: 29.1 years
Median household income: $25,864 (year 2000)
Median house value: $72,300 (year 2000)

Races in Monroe:

Ancestries: United States (5.7%), English (5.2%), Irish (4.5%), German (2.9%), French (2.8%), Italian (2.7%).

Land area: 28.7 square miles

For population 25 years and over in Monroe

• High school or higher: 74.1%
• Bachelor's degree or higher: 26.9%
• Graduate or professional degree: 10.4%
• Unemployed: 12.8%
• Mean travel time to work: 17.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Monroe city

• Never married: 38.4%
• Now married: 39.1%
• Separated: 3.6%
• Widowed: 9.0%
• Divorced: 9.9%

1.3% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -1,665 (-3.0%).