Monroe Michigan   City   Monroes historic downtown on South Monroe Street Location in Monroe County and the state of Michigan Coordinates: 415459N 832352W / 41.91639N 83.39778W / 41.91639; -83.39778 Country United States State Michigan County Monroe Platted 1817 Incorporated 1837 Government  - Mayor Robert Clark Area  - City 10.1 sq mi (26.1 km2)  - Land 9 sq mi (23.4 km2)  - Water 1 sq mi (2.7 km2) Elevation 594 ft (182 m) Population (2010)  - City 20733  - Density 2303.7/sq mi (886.0/km2)  - Urban 53153  - Metro 152021 Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)  - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4) ZIP codes 48161 48162 Area code(s) 734 FIPS code 26-550201 GNIS feature ID 06325722 Website http://www.ci.monroe.mi.us/

Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County.3 The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles (23 km) north of Toledo Ohio and 25 miles (40 km) south of Detroit. The United States Census Bureau lists Monroe as the core city in the Monroe Metropolitan Area which had a population of 152021 in 2010.4 Monroe itself is officially part of the Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint CSA and Monroe is also sometimes unofficially included as a northerly extension of the Toledo Metropolitan Area.

Settled as early as 1784 Monroe was platted in 18175 and was named after then-President James Monroe. Today the city has a strong sense of historic preservationism and is remembered for the Battle of Frenchtown during the War of 1812 as well as being the childhood residence of George Armstrong Custer and other members of his family including his wife Elizabeth Bacon and brother Boston Custer. The city has numerous historic museums and landmarks. Monroe is also recognized as the home of the La-Z-Boy world headquarters. Contents 1 History 2 Demographics 3 Geography 3.1 Climate 4 Education 5 Transportation 6 Notable residents 7 Sister cities 8 References 9 External links History

The area was settled by Indian tribes (specifically the Potawatomi) hundreds of years before the French reached the area for the first time in the late seventeenth-century. Robert de LaSalle claimed the area for New France after his 1679 exhibition on the Griffon. In 1784 Francis Navarre was given a portion of land south of the River Raisin by the Potawatomi. Frenchtown was settled shortly thereafter as the third European settlement in the state. Around the same time the Sandy Creek Settlement was established just north of Frenchtown by Joseph Porlier Benec.6 Front Street looking east toward the Old Village around the year 1900 (top) and in 2010 (bottom)

The area because of its close location to Detroit was of strategic importance during the War of 1812 especially after Detroit fell to the enemy British during the Siege of Detroit in August 1812. The area of Frenchtown served as a stepping stone for the American forces to retake Detroit and this led to the devastating Battle of Frenchtown in January 1813. The American forces camped in the area in an attempt to move to retake Detroit when they met British and Indian opposition near the shores of the River Raisin on January 18. Initially the Americans under the command of James Winchester fought off the British and Indians in what was later dubbed the First Battle of the River Raisin. However four days later the Americans were counterattacked in the same location. Many of the Americans were injured from the previous battle and their escape routes were cut off. The British under Henry Proctor and their Indian allies slaughtered almost 400 American soldiers in what would later be known as the Battle of Frenchtown (or the Second Battle of the River Raisin). The surviving Americans who were unable to retreat became prisoners of war but some were later slaughtered by Indian forces in an incident dubbed the River Raisin massacre.7 Today the site of the battle houses a small visitor center8 and the recently authorized River Raisin National Battlefield Park.9 Custers statue unveiled in 1910 now sits at the corner of Elm Street and Monroe Street.

The area of Frenchtown was renamed and incorporated as the village of Monroe in honor of President James Monroe who visited the Michigan Territory in 1817. In the same year the city of Monroe was named the county seat of the newly-created Monroe County. Monroe re-incorporated as a city in 1837.5 Monroe is known for the residency of United States Major General George Armstrong Custer (18391876) during his childhood. While he was not born in Monroe Custer spent much of his boyhood living in Monroe where he later met and married Elizabeth Bacon (18421933) during the Civil War in 1864. In 1910 President William Howard Taft and the widowed Elizabeth Bacon unveiled an equestrian statue of Custer (George Armstrong Custer Equestrian Monument) that now rests at the corner of Elm Street and Monroe Street.1011 Custers namesake is honored as street names various historic markers buildings schools and the Custer Airport.12 City limit signs for Monroe also mention the city as "the home of General Custer." The city is also known as the home of La-Z-Boy which was founded in Monroe in 1927.13 Their world headquarters are located in Monroe on Telegraph Road. In 1974 the Monroe Power Plant currently the fourth largest coal firing plant in North America opened. At 805 feet (245 m) tall the dual smokestacks are the visible from over 25 miles (40 km) away and are among the tallest structures in the state. Demographics

In the census1 of 2000 there were 22076 people 8594 households and 5586 families in the city. The population density was 2440.9 per square mile (942.9/km). There were 9107 housing units at an average density of 1007.0 per square mile (389.0/km). The racial makeup was 90.87% White 5.07% African American 0.24% Native American 0.84% Asian 0.02% Pacific Islander 0.90% from other races and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.76% of the population.

There were 8594 households of which 33.6% had children under 18 living with them 46.6% were married couples living together 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 35.0% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size 3.10.

In the city the population was 26.9% under 18 8.7% from 18 to 24 29.3% from 25 to 44 20.1% from 45 to 64 and 15.0% who 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41810 and the median income for a family $51442. Males had a median income of $42881 versus $25816 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19948. 9.0% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line including 15.0% of those under 18 and 16.1% of those 65 or over. Geography According to the United States Census Bureau the city has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26.1 km) of which 9.0 square miles (23.4 km) of it is land and 1.0 square miles (2.6 km) of it (10.14%) is water. Monroe sits at the lowest elevation in state of Michigan which is the shores of Lake Erie at 571 feet (174 meters).14 The average elevation of the city of Monroe is 594 feet (182 meters).15 The Port of Monroe is the only Michigan port on Lake Erie16 and Sterling State Park is the only of Michigan's 98 state parks located on or near Lake Erie.17 The River Raisin and Sandy Creek travel through Monroe although these waterways are unnavigable. Climate Monroe lies in the humid continental climate zone. Monroe only receives an average of 28.5 inches (72.4 cm) of snow a yearthe lowest average snowfall for any large city in the state. July is the warmest month with an average high temperature of 84 F (29 C) and January is the coldest month with an average low temperature of 16 F (-9 C). Monroe does not normally have extremely hot or cold temperatures. On average the temperature only drops below 0 F (-18 C) a couple of times during a winter season and it is even rarer for the temperature to rise above 100 F (38 C) during the summer. The coldest recorded temperature was -21 F (-29 C) on February 5 1918. The highest recorded temperature was 106 F (41 C) on July 24 1934 with another equal temperature recorded on one occasion many years earlier.18 Climate data for Monroe Michigan Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high F (C) 70 (21.1) 70 (21.1) 83 (28.3) 90 (32.2) 95 (35) 106 (41.1) 106 (41.1) 103 (39.4) 103 (39.4) 92 (33.3) 81 (27.2) 68 (20) 106 (41.1) Average high F (C) 31 (-0.6) 33 (0.6) 43 (6.1) 57 (13.9) 69 (20.6) 80 (26.7) 84 (28.9) 82 (27.8) 75 (23.9) 62 (16.7) 48 (8.9) 36 (2.2) 58 (14.4) Average low F (C) 16 (-8.9) 18 (-7.8) 27 (-2.8) 38 (3.3) 49 (9.4) 59 (15) 64 (17.8) 62 (16.7) 55 (12.8) 43 (6.1) 33 (0.6) 22 (-5.6) 40 (4.4) Record low F (C) -18 (-27.8) -21 (-29.4) -2 (-18.9) 11 (-11.7) 26 (-3.3) 35 (1.7) 35 (1.7) 38 (3.3) 27 (-2.8) 21 (-6.1) 1 (-17.2) -12 (-24.4) -21 (-29.4) Precipitation inches (mm) 1.6 (41) 1.7 (43) 2.6 (66) 3.0 (76) 3.1 (79) 3.5 (89) 3.1 (79) 3.2 (81) 3.0 (76) 2.3 (58) 2.8 (71) 2.8 (71) 32.7 (831) Source: 19 Education The Hall of the Divine Child now the Norman Towers senior citizens residence was a boarding school in Monroe from 19181980. The city of Monroe is served by only one large public school district Monroe Public Schools (MPS) which enrolls approximately 6700 students.20 MPS operates nine elementary schools one middle school one high school one alternative high school and two specialized education centers.21 At around 2100 students Monroe High School is one of the largest high schools in the state. Monroe is also served by the Monroe County Intermediate School District which provides services to other schools in the form of special education services support staff substitute teachers and educational technology (such as computers and distance learning). Students in Monroe may also attend one of two public charter schools and there are also over a dozen various parochial schools in and around Monroe. The largest of these schools is St. Mary Catholic Central High School which enrolls over 400 students a year and has a full sports program that competes against the other public school districts. Students may also be homeschooled. Marygrove College sponsored by the local Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) was founded in Monroe in 1905 as a Catholic liberal arts college. The college then moved to its current location in Detroit in 1927. The IHM also operated a boarding school the Hall of the Divine Child in Monroe from 19181980. Monroe County Community College was founded in 1964 just west of Monroe. It is the only higher education school in Monroe County.22 Transportation The city of Monroe is served by the Lake Erie Transit public transportation bus system. Established in 1975 Lake Erie Transit currently has a fleet of 31 buses and serves approximately 400000 riders every year. In 2008 the system logged 764000 miles.23 The system operates buses on eight fixed routes in and around the city of Monroe. It also serves several neighboring townships outside of its normal routes should a passenger call ahead for a ride. From Bedford Township its provides transportation to and from two shopping malls in Toledo Ohio. I-75 Interstate 75 travels through Monroe and provides access to Toledo and Detroit. There are five interchanges in and near Monroe: LaPlaisance Road (exit 11) Elm Street (exit 13) Front Street (exit 14) North Dixie Highway (exit 15) and Nadeau Road (exit 18). I-275 I-275 has its southern terminus just north of Monroe. Splitting off from I-75 I-275 is a western bypass around Detroit but does not actually merge back with I-75. Aside from I-75 the highway can be accessed near Monroe by US-24 (Telegraph Road) via exit 2. M-50 The recently truncated eastern terminus of M-50 is in Monroe at US-24 and provides a direct route to Dundee Jackson and further. In Monroe M-50 is known locally as South Custer Road. Its former terminus used to be I-75 at exit 15.24 US-24 US-24 travels through Monroe and provides access to Toledo and western portions of Detroit. The road is known locally as North Telegraph and South Telegraphdivided at the River Raisin. US-24 also connects to I-275 just north of Monroe. M-125 M-125 travels directly through the downtown area before merging into US-24 north of Monroe. South of downtown after Jones Avenue it is called South Dixie Highway. In the downtown area it is South Monroe Street. North of the River Raisin it is North Monroe Street. M-130 M-130 was a state highway existing from 19301955 and ran along the northern banks of the River Raisin. M-130 had its eastern terminus at US-24 and ran for just over nine miles (14 km). In 1955 control of the highway was transferred back to the county. Today it is called North Custer Road. Dixie Highway The old Dixie Highway ran through Monroe in as early as 1915. It was originally one of the few ways to reach places like Florida but the highway was largely replaced by I-75 beginning in the 1960s. Today the namesake of the highway is used for two non-connecting highways (one being M-125) although the same route and remnants of the original highway are long gone. US-25 U.S. Route 25 was the designated name for the portion of Dixie Highway north of Cincinnati including the portion running through Monroe. Like Dixie Highway US-25 was largely replaced and the existing highway was truncated at Cincinnati. Custer Airport Built in 1946 Custer Airport is located on the former M-130. It is a very small and seldom used airport. There are no commercial or passenger flights departing from or arriving at Custer Airport. There is one paved runway used by small personal airplanes. There is also a small aviation school on the site. All air services in the area are primarily through the Metro Airport in Wayne County.12 Notable residents Boston Custer (18481876) younger brother of George Custer lived in Monroe Bronco McKart (b. 1971) former World Boxing Organization champion Carl Ford (b. 1980) American football player Christie Brinkley (b. 1954) model who was born in Monroe Elizabeth Bacon Custer (18421933) wife of General Custer was born in Monroe Elizabeth McWebb (19042004) author of the Little Brown Bear book series Ernest Ingersoll (18521946) environmentalist and naturalist George Armstrong Custer (18391876) Major General who lived much of his early life in Monroe George Spalding (18361915) former teacher and politician Henry Armstrong Reed (18581876) nephew of George Custer lived in Monroe Isaac P. Christiancy (18121890) former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court J. Sterling Morton (18321902) prominent conservationist who lived in Monroe from 18341854 Kaye Lani Rae Rafko (b. 1963) native from Monroe who was the 1988 Miss America winner Mary Harris Jones (18371930) union organizer who moved to Monroe from Ireland Randy Richardville (b. 1959) current Michigan state senator lives in Monroe Robert McCelland (18071880) prominent Michigan politician Ryan Sontag (b. 1985) current pitcher for the Boise Hawks minor league baseball team Vern Sneider (19161981) American novelist who lived in Monroe Vic Braden (b. 1929) former tennis champion and coach Sister cities Monroe Michigan has only one official sister city: Hofu Japan since 199325 References a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.  "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.  "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07.  Population of Michigan Regions and Statistical Areas 2000 and 2010 at www.michigan.gov a b Romig Walter (1986) 1973. Michigan Place Names. Detroit Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.  http://www.monroeinfo.com/set1source.html Monroe Michigan historical markers http://www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/thebattles.htm River Raisin Battlefield http://www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/visitorscenter.htm Battlefield Visitor Center Monroe Evening News staff (31 March 2009). "Battlefield bill signing celebrated". Monroe Evening News (Monroe Michigan). http://www.monroenews.com/article/20090331/NEWS01/703319972/-1/NEWS. Retrieved 3 April 2009.  http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdfr1&res9D0DE7DA1530E233A25756C1A9639C946196D6CF History of the Custer statue http://monroe.lib.mi.us/booksmoviesmusic/specialcollections/custerstatuemoved.htm Custer statue moved a b http://mich.gov/documents/Ttf191177.pdf Custer Airport details http://www.la-z-boy.com/about/ourhistory.aspx La-Z-Boy history http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest USGS Elevations and Distances in the United States http://michigan.hometownlocator.com/mi/monroe/monroe.cfm Elevation of Monroe MI http://www.portofmonroe.com/ Port of Monroe http://www.michigandnr.com/ParksandTrails/Details.aspxid497&typeSPRK Sterling State Park http://climate.geo.msu.edu/Stations/5558/NARRAT.txt Climate of Monroe "Average Weather for Monroe MI - Temperature and Precipitation". Weatherbase. http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3s855502&refer. Retrieved May 28 2009.  http://www.greatschools.net/michigan/monroe/Monroe-Public-Schools/ Great Schools profile of Monroe Public Schools http://www.monroe.k12.mi.us/ Monroe Public Schools homepage http://www.monroeccc.edu/ MCCC homepage Michigan DOT: Lake Erie Transit http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/016077-151-962521607-164483--00.html http://www.michiganhighways.org/listings/MichHwys50-59.html Michigan Highways 50 through 59 http://www.ci.monroe.mi.us/HofuMayorVisit.cfm Twin towning with Hofu Japan External links City's official website Monroe County Tourism Bureau History of Monroe Monroe Evening News  "Monroe Mich.". Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.   "Monroe a city and county-seat of Monroe co. Mich.". Collier's New Encyclopedia. 1921.  v d eMunicipalities and communities of Monroe County Michigan County seat: Monroe Cities Flat Rock  Luna Pier  Milan  Monroe  Petersburg Villages Carleton  Dundee  Estral Beach  Maybee  South Rockwood Charter townships Berlin  Frenchtown  Monroe General law townships Ash  Bedford  Dundee  Erie  Exeter  Ida  La Salle  London  Milan  Raisinville  Summerfield  Whiteford Unincorporated communities Azalia  Detroit Beach  Diann  Erie  Ida  Lambertville  La Salle  Newport  Ottawa Lake  Samaria  Scofield  South Monroe  Stony Point  Temperance  West Monroe  Whiteford Center  Woodland Beach Footnotes This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties v d eToledo Ohio General Catholic Diocese  City League  Climate  Government  Mayors  Media  Metropolitan Area  Port Authority  Rivers (Maumee  Ottawa)  TARTA  Terrorism  Toledo War Attractions Arboretum  ARCA 200  Art Museum  Huntington Center  Express Airport  Fifth Third Field  Fort Meigs  Imagination Station  Inverness Club  Library  Lighthouse  Maumee Bay  Mud Hens  One SeaGate  Sculpture in the Park  Speedway  Sports Arena  Stranahan Theater  Raceway Park  Suburban Airport  Symphony Orchestra  Yacht Club  Zoo Metroparks Bend View  Blue Creek  Fallen Timbers  Botanical Garden  Farnsworth  Oak Openings  Pearson's  Providence  Secor  Side Cut  Swan Creek  Wildwood Shopping malls Westfield Franklin Park  The Shops at Fallen Timbers  Woodville Mall  North Towne Square (defunct)  Southwyck Mall (defunct) Businesses Toledo Complex  The Blade  The Village Voice  Toledo Free Press  Jeep  Toledo Transmission Hospitals Mercy St. Anne  St. Charles  St. Vincent  St. Vincent Children's ProMedica Bay Park  Flower  St. Luke's  Toledo  Toledo Children's Education Secondary Catholic  Public Tertiary Bowling Green State University  Davis College  Lourdes College  Mercy College of Northwest Ohio  Monroe County Community College  Owens Community College  Professional Skills Institute  Stautzenberger College  Toledo Academy of Beauty  University of Toledo Suburbs Allen Twp.  Assumption  Bedford Twp.  Berkey  Bowling Green  Clay Twp.  Delta  Elmore  Erie Twp.  Genoa  Holland  Jerusalem Twp.  Lake Twp.  Lambertville  Luna Pier  Lyons  Maumee  Metamora  Millersville  Monclova Twp.  Monroe  Northwood  Oregon  Ottawa Hills  Perrysburg  Perrysburg Twp.  Providence Twp.  Rossford  Springfield Twp.  Swanton  Sylvania  Sylvania Twp.  Temperance  Walbridge  Waterville  Wauseon  Whiteford Twp.  Whitehouse  Woodville v d eMetro Detroit Topics Architecture  Culture  Detroit River  Economy  Freeways  History  Historic places  International Riverfront  Lake St. Clair  Media  Music  Parks and beaches  People  Skyscrapers  Sports  Theatre  Tourism Transportation Major city Detroit Municipalities over 80000 Canton Township  Clinton Township  Dearborn  Livonia  Sterling Heights  Troy  Warren  Westland Municipalities 50000 to 80000 Dearborn Heights  Farmington Hills  Grosse Pointe  Macomb Township  Novi  Pontiac  Redford Township  Rochester Hills  Royal Oak  Saint Clair Shores  Shelby Township  Southfield  Taylor  Waterford Township  West Bloomfield Township Satellite cities Ann Arbor  Brighton  Flint  Howell  Lapeer  Monroe  Port Huron  Toledo  Windsor  Ypsilanti Counties in MSA Lapeer  Livingston  Macomb  Oakland  St. Clair  Wayne Counties in CSA Genesee  Monroe   Washtenaw Regions Southeast Michigan  Great Lakes Outlying regions Central Michigan  Flint/Tri-Cities  Northwest Ohio  Southwestern Ontario  Michigan  United States Coordinates: 415459N 832352W / 41.91639N 83.39778W / 41.91639; -83.39778 Ann Arbor Milan Maybee Belleville Romulus Carleton Detroit Downriver South Rockwood Adrian / Petersburg / Dundee Lake Erie    Monroe     Temperance Lambertville Luna Pier Toledo Ohio Lake Erie