Monrovia, Indiana

History

Monrovia was laid out in 1834. The town's name is derived from Monroe Township. A post office has been in operation at Monrovia since 1834.

The Lake Ditch Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Geography

Monrovia is located at 39°34′46″N 86°28′49″W (39.579389, -86.480402).

According to the 2010 census, Monrovia has a total area of 1.77 square miles (4.58 km²), all land.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,063 people, 365 households, and 288 families residing in the town. The population density was 600.6 inhabitants per square mile (231.9/km²). There were 402 housing units at an average density of 227.1 per square mile (87.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.3% White, 1.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 365 households of which 47.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 21.1% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.27.

The median age in the town was 31.2 years. 31.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 32.3% were from 25 to 44; 21% were from 45 to 64; and 6.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 628 people, 234 households, and 187 families residing in the town. The population density was 709.1 people per square mile (272.4/km²). There were 245 housing units at an average density of 276.6 per square mile (106.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.20% White, 0.16% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.

There were 234 households out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.1% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $49,583, and the median income for a family was $53,571. Males had a median income of $32,917 versus $21,111 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,366. About 6.8% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Monroe-Gregg School District which serves students in Monroe and Gregg townships in Morgan County operates three schools:

Hall Elementary School, which had previously housed grades 4-6 (with Monrovia Elementary School housing K-3 and Monrovia Junior-Senior High School housing 7-12), has recently closed.

High School Academics

Monrovia High School won a state championship in Academic Super Bowl Competition in 1988.

High School Band

In 2006, the Monrovia High School Band won the Mid-States Band Association Class A Championships at Kings Mill, OH. In 2007, the band was a Class A Finalist and National Semi-finalist at the Bands of America Grand National Competition in Indianapolis. The Bulldog Brigade repeated the 2006 MSBA championship with a second in 2009, scoring a 90.1 in finals, the highest score ever achieved in class A competition in the Mid-States Band Association. The 2009 Monrovia Bulldog Brigade also finished 4th in Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Marching Band Finals, the highest finish ever for a Monrovia band. They also collected their fourth All-Music Award, a feat unparalleled in ISSMA history for class D (small school) bands. On November 6, 2010, the band won its 3rd championship in the Mid-States class A championships, winning music and general effect captions on their way to the win. In May, 2011 the band collected its fifth All-Music Award, adding to their record of success in marching, concert, jazz and solo/ensemble performances. In 2011, the band again reached ISSMA State Finals (finishing 9th), and was second at the Mid-States Band Association Class AA Championships. Also, at Bands of America Grand National Championships, the band was a Class A Finalist and National Semi-Finalist, and finished in third place in Class A National Championships.The program is led by director Brian Willett and assistant director Dr. Albert Lilly. The Monrovia band organization has also had 9 Indiana State Music Award which is more than any other class D band in Indiana. In 2012, the band was an ISSMA State Finalist, finishing fifth at state finals. 2013 was a momentus year as the band performed at MSBA and ISSMA Finals on the same day, the only band in history to do so. They were 5th at ISSMA State Finals, and 3rd at MSBA Finals. 2014 had the band returning again to ISSMA state finals, but due to scheduling, unable to compete in MSBA finals. The 2014 show "The Diary" told the story of Anne Frank, and was unique is scope, music, and design. The Jazz Band performed at the Super Bowl Village in 2012 in Indianapolis, and usually plays at Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Plainfield, Indiana during the Christmas season, and again in the spring. They also host a "Swing into Spring" dinner/dance on Mother's Day weekend annually.

High School Football

The 2009 Monrovia High School football team capped a fantastic run with an appearance in the Class AA State Football Finals, losing to the Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 24-17. Tim Connor was named the Mental Attitude award winner for Class AA after the game. Garrett Johnson and Brent McCleerey received Defensive Player of the Year, while Austin Parks was named Offensive Player of the Year as well as MVP player of the team. The football program later went on to win the 2015 IHSAA Class AA State Championship against the Whiting Oilers, ending with a score of 33-6, and setting a new state record for rushing yards in a season with 6,368 total yards.

High School Basketball

The girls' basketball team of 1929 won the Indiana State Championship. They then went on to defeat the Kentucky State Champions. In 1930, the program was discontinued.

High School Cheeerleading

The 2015-2016 Varsity Competition Cheer team won the IASP State cheer competition at Lucas Oil Stadium. They were also the ICC Conference Champions.

Notable people