Monroe, Michigan

Monroe, Michigan
City
Downtown Monroe along the River Raisin
River Raisin National Battlefield Park
Monroe County Courthouse
Custer Equestrian Monument
St. Mary's Church Complex
Flag of Monroe, Michigan
Flag
Location within Monroe County and the state of Michigan
Location within Monroe County and the state of Michigan
Monroe is located in Michigan
Monroe
Monroe
Monroe is located in the United States
Monroe
Monroe
Coordinates: 41°54′59″N 83°23′52″W / 41.91639°N 83.39778°W / 41.91639; -83.39778
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyMonroe
Settled1785
Platted1817
Incorporated1837
Government
[1]
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • MayorRobert Clark
 • ManagerVince Pastue
 • ClerkMichelle LaVoy
Area
[2]
 • City10.21 sq mi (26.46 km2)
 • Land9.05 sq mi (23.43 km2)
 • Water1.17 sq mi (3.03 km2)
Elevation
594 ft (182 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • City20,462
 • Density2,261.99/sq mi (873.34/km2)
 • Urban
51,240 (US: 490th)
 • Metro
151,560 (US: 264th)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
48161, 48162
Area code734
FIPS code26-55020
GNIS feature ID0632572[4]
Websitemonroemi.gov

Monroe is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County, Michigan, United States. The population was 20,462 as of the 2020 census.[5] The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but the two are administered autonomously. Monroe is the core city in the Monroe metropolitan area, which is coterminous with Monroe County and had a population of 154,809 in 2020.[6] Located on the western shores of Lake Erie approximately 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Toledo, Ohio, and 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Detroit, the city is part of the Detroit–Ann Arbor–Flint combined statistical area.

The Monroe area was the scene of several military conflicts during the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom and is known for the Battle of Frenchtown. In 1817, portions of the Frenchtown settlement along the River Raisin were platted and renamed "Monroe" after then-president James Monroe. When Michigan became a state in 1837, Monroe was incorporated as a city.[7]

Monroe is known as the childhood residence of George Armstrong Custer and other members of his family, including his brother Boston Custer and wife Elizabeth Bacon. Several structures are named after Custer, including Custer Airport. Founded in 1928, the La-Z-Boy world headquarters are located in Monroe.

  1. ^ City of Monroe (2020). "City Council". Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  2. ^ "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "P1. Race – Monroe city, Michigan: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  4. ^ United States Geological Survey (October 25, 2007). "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  6. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  7. ^ Romig, Walter (1986). Michigan Place Names. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. p. 376. ISBN 978-0-8143-1838-6.