The city of Monroe is the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. "Monroe, Louisiana (LA) Detailed Profile" (notes), City Data, 2007, webpage: blank">C-Monroe. "Census 2000 Data for the State of Louisiana" (town list), _US Census Bureau, May 2003, webpage: blank">C2000-LA. It is the principal city of the Monroe, Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area (pop. 171,188), which is included in the Monroe-Bastrop, Louisiana Combined Statistical Area. The population of Monroe's Combined Statistical Area is 202,209. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 52,027, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana.
Monroe is the home of the _University of Louisiana at Monroe (formerly known as Northeast Louisiana University). It also houses the headquarters of CenturyTel, the eighth-largest telecommunications provider in the nation. Monroe is situated on the Ouachita River and continues to serve as the population center and distribution outlet for the surrounding farming community. Monroe will soon play host to a motor speedway in March 2008. Monroe and the neighboring town of West Monroe (pop. 13,250), which sits just across the Ouachita River, are often referred to as the Twin Cities of northeast Louisiana.
