Editing Monrovia, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Monrovia, California
| settlement_type    = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
| image_skyline      = Monrovia CA San Gabriel Mountains i210.JPG
| image_caption      = [[Interstate 210 (California)|I-210]] in Monrovia with San Gabriel Mountains in the background
| image_flag         = Flag of Monrovia, California.gif
| image_seal         = Monrovia_CA_seal.jpg
| image_map          = LA County Incorporated Areas Monrovia highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location of Monrovia in [[Los Angeles County, California]]
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| pushpin_map        = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[California]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in California|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles]]
| government_type    = [[Council-Manager]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Becky A. Shevlin
| leader_title1      = [[Mayor Pro Tem]]
| leader_name1       = Dr. Tamala P. Kelly
| leader_title2      = [[City Council]]
| leader_name2       = {{Plain list|
* Larry Spicer
* Sergio Jimenez
* Edward Belden
}}
| leader_title3      = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name3       = Dylan Feik
| leader_title4      = [[City Treasurer]]
| leader_name4       = Janet Wall<ref>[http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/24827.Electedcitytreasurers06.rtf California League of Cities, Elected City Treasurers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212231050/http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/24827.Electedcitytreasurers06.rtf |date=February 12, 2012 }} <!--CiteWeb or the Wayback Machine can be used to relocated dead link, Checklinks is designed to handle this.--></ref>
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date   = December 15, 1887<ref>{{cite web
| url          = http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc
| title        = California Cities by Incorporation Date
| format       = Word
| publisher    = California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s
| access-date  = August 25, 2014
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc
| archive-date = November 3, 2014
| url-status   = dead
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref>
<!-- Area------------------>
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 13.74
| area_land_sq_mi    = 13.63
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.11
| area_total_km2     = 35.59
| area_land_km2      = 35.31
| area_water_km2     = 0.28
| area_water_percent = 0.79
| area_note          = 
| elevation_m        = 174
| elevation_ft       = 571
| coordinates        = {{coord|34|8|45.28|N|118|0|3.42|W|region:US-CA_type:city(38,000)|display=inline,title}}
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name=quif>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648648.html|title=Monrovia (city) QuickFacts|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416034324/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648648.html|archive-date=April 16, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_total   = 37931
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| population_density_km2 = 1074.2
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
| utc_offset         = −8
| timezone_DST       = PDT
| utc_offset_DST     = −7
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 91016–91017
| area_code          = [[Area code 626|626]]
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 06-48648
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = {{GNIS 4|1661049}}
| website            = {{URL|www.monroviaca.gov}}
| population_density_sq_mi = 
}}

'''Monrovia''' is a city in the foothills of the [[San Gabriel Mountains]] in the [[San Gabriel Valley]] of [[Los Angeles County, California]], United States. Monrovia is the fourth-oldest [[General-law municipality|general-law city]] in Los Angeles County and the [[Los Angeles Basin|L.A. Basin]] (after [[Los Angeles]], [[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica]], and [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]], all now [[Charter city|charter cities]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Charter_Cities List|url=https://www.cacities.org/Resources-Documents/Resources-Section/Charter-Cities/Charter_Cities-List|website=League of California Cities|access-date=July 9, 2017}}</ref>). Incorporated in 1887, it has grown from a sparse community of orange ranches to a residential community of over 37,000. The population was 37,931 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US0648648|title=Census - Geography Profile: Monrovia city, California|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 8, 2022}}</ref>

==History==
[[Image:Monrovia-1886.jpg|left|thumb|Monrovia, 1886 (Myrtle Avenue, looking north)]]

[[Image:Monrovia-1892.jpg|left|thumb|Monrovia, 1892 (Myrtle Avenue, looking north)]]
The San Gabriel Valley was first inhabited by the [[Tongva]] whose traditional lands extended throughout the area of modern-day [[greater Los Angeles]].<ref name="Sepulveda2018">{{Cite journal |last=Sepulveda |first=Charles |date=January 2018 |title=Our Sacred Waters: Theorizing Kuuyam as a Decolonial Possibility |url=https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/des/article/view/30384/23037 |journal=Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society |volume=7 |issue=1 |p=49}}</ref> While [[Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo]] first discovered California for Spain in 1542, Spanish colonization did not begin until 1769 with the [[Portolá expedition]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Servin |first=Manuel P. |date=Winter 1973 |title=California’s Hispanic Heritage: A View Into the Spanish Myth |url=https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/1973/january/myth/ |journal=[[Journal of San Diego History]] |volume=19 |issue=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619160011/https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/1973/january/myth/ |archive-date=June 19, 2024}}</ref> In 1771, the entire valley, including present-day Monrovia, came under the domain of the newly established [[Mission San Gabriel Arcángel|Mission San Gabriel]], initially located along the [[San Gabriel River (California)|San Gabriel River]] near the southern edge of the valley. The mission utilized the lower portion of the valley for raising cattle and farming while the uplands, including Monrovia, remained untouched.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Robinson |first=W.W. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31158005928097&seq=5 |title=Monrovia : A Calendar of Events in the Making of a City |publisher=Title Guarantee and Trust Co. |year=1936 |location=Los Angeles |pages=5–6}}</ref>

Following Mexico's [[Mexican War of Independence|independence]] from Spain and the [[Congress of the Union|Mexican Congress]]'s enactment of [[Mexican Secularization Act of 1833|secularization laws]] in 1833, the government of [[Alta California]] began the process of secularizing missions and dispersing their property.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=MaryEllen |last2=Breschini |first2=Gary S. |title=Secularization and the Ranchos, 1826-1846 |url=https://mchsmuseum.com/local-history/mexican-era/secularization-and-the-ranchos-1826-1846/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126142630/https://mchsmuseum.com/local-history/mexican-era/secularization-and-the-ranchos-1826-1846/ |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=February 14, 2025 |website= |publisher=Monterey County Historical Society}}</ref> On April 16, 1841, [[Hugo Reid]], a naturalized Mexican citizen from Great Britain, was provisionally granted ownership of [[Rancho Santa Anita]], which included most of present-day Monrovia to the west of Norumbega Drive, and received a [[fee simple]] title to the land in 1845.<ref>{{harvp|Robinson|1936|p=7–9}}.</ref> Rancho Santa Anita then changed hands several times before [[Lucky Baldwin]] acquired it on April 8, 1875.<ref>{{harvp|Robinson|1936|p=9–14}}.</ref> In 1884, [[William Newton Monroe|William N. Monroe]] purchased a 120-acre plot from Baldwin in present-day Monrovia that encompassed both sides of White Oak Avenue (now [[Foothill Boulevard (Southern California)|Foothill Boulevard]]). Monroe acquired an additional 90 acres in 1885.<ref>{{harvp|Robinson|1936|p=16–17}}.</ref> 

In 1886, Monroe partnered with [[Edward Falles Spence|Edward F. Spence]], [[John Dustin Bicknell|John D. Bicknell]], and [[James F. Crank]] to form a 120-acre town centered around Myrtle Avenue and present-day Colorado Boulevard; the first sale of townsite lots began on May 17, 1886.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Shannon |url=https://www.monroviaca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/15147/636594844097370000 |title=City of Monrovia Historic Context Statement |last2=Novell |first2=Marilyn |last3=Taylor Kung |first3=Laura |last4=Voisin George |first4=Laura |publisher=ASM Affiliates, Inc. |year=2018 |pages=17–18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203143027/https://www.monroviaca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/15147/636594844097370000 |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Robinson|1936|p=19}}.</ref> Within nineteen months, several banks, hotels, churches, and schools were built.<ref>{{harvp|Davis|Novell|Taylor Kung|Voisin George|2018|p=18}}.</ref> In 1887, Monrovia reached a population of 500 and was incorporated on December 15, making it the fourth incorporated city in Los Angeles County after Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Pasadena.<ref>{{harvp|Robinson|1936|p=19}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Early Monrovia History |url=https://www.mohpg.org/early-monrovia-history.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217001405/https://www.mohpg.org/early-monrovia-history.html |archive-date=February 17, 2025 |access-date=February 16, 2025 |publisher=Monrovia Historical Preservation Group}}</ref> Monrovia was connected to Los Angeles by rail in 1888 through the efforts of the [[San Gabriel Valley Rapid Transit Railroad Company]]. The [[Los Angeles Terminal Railway]] briefly assumed control over the rail line in 1892 before selling the railway to [[Southern Pacific Railroad|Southern Pacific]] in 1893.<ref>{{harvp|Davis|Novell|Taylor Kung|Voisin George|2018|p=18–19}}.</ref>[[Image:Monrovia-1903.jpg|left|thumb|Pacific Electric in Monrovia, 1903]]
In 1903, the ''Monrovia News'' was established. The same year, the [[Pacific Electric]] was opened, providing transportation to and from Los Angeles, making it possible for Monrovia homeowners to work in Los Angeles.[[Image:Monrovia-May-16-1914.jpg|thumb|Monrovia, 1914 (Myrtle Avenue, looking north)]]
In 1905, [[Andrew Carnegie|Carnegie]] funds became available and, with the help of the Board of Trade (forerunner to the [[Chamber of Commerce]]) and the Monrovia Women's Club, a bond issue was passed to purchase the Granite Bank Building to be used as a city hall, and to acquire property for a public park. The Granite Building has served as the city hall, fire and police department facilities since 1961 and the fire department since 1974. In 1956, the old [[Carnegie library]] building was torn down and a new library was constructed. In March 2007, a new library was voted on by the people of Monrovia. It won with 70% yes votes. The library now has 190,000 books, a heritage room for historical documents, and areas for children, teens, and adults.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://monrovia.patch.com/listings/monrovia-public-library |title=Monrovia Public Library – Monrovia Patch – Patch.com |publisher=Monrovia.patch.com |date=January 27, 2011 |access-date=July 1, 2013}}</ref>

A [[Council–manager government|city council–manager]] type government was instituted in 1923.

In 1930, the [[Monrovia Airport, California|Monrovia Airport]], also known as the Foothill Flying Club, was commercially established. The small airstrip claimed to have had 12,000 paying customers use the airfield in 1932 and on May 19, 1938, the first airmail flight took off from Monrovia Airport. Ownership of the airport changed hands several times while it was in operation; pilots remembered it as "the friendliest little airport in the country." Apart from usage by Riley Brothers, TWA Captain and former airshow pilot Kalman Irwin, and [[Pancho Barnes]], the airfield is well known for its use as a movie-filming location. The first movie filmed at the Monrovia Airport was [[The Fighting Pilot]]. Other films shot at the airfield include [[20,000 Men a Year]], [[The Great Plane Robbery (1940 film)|The Great Plane Robbery]], and most notably, [[The Big Noise (1944 film)|The Big Noise]], featuring [[Laurel and Hardy]]. The 35-acre airfield, used as a runway as well as an airplane repair and storage service, was forced to close in 1953 after being sold to [[Consolidated Engineering Corporation]] for redevelopment as a result of increased land values.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://members.tripod.com/airfields_freeman/CA/Airfields_CA_LA_E.htm#monrovia | title=Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: California, East Los Angeles area}}</ref>

Monrovia was the home to the precursor to [[McDonald's]]. In 1937, Patrick McDonald opened a food stand on Huntington Drive (Route 66) near the old Monrovia Airport called "The Airdrome" (hamburgers were ten cents, and all-you-can-drink orange juice was five cents); it remained there until 1940, when he and his two sons, [[Richard and Maurice McDonald|Maurice and Richard]], moved the building {{convert|40|mi|km}} east to [[San Bernardino, California|San Bernardino]] to the corner of West 14th Street and 1398 North E Street, renaming it "McDonald's".

In 1995, Monrovia received the [[All America City]] Award from the [[National Civic League]].
==Geography and ecology==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|35.5|km2|mi2|1|sp=us}}. {{convert|13.6|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi|km2}} of it (0.79%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-21/for-second-day-in-a-row-bear-goes-on-a-walkabout-in-monrovia-neighborhood|title='Old lady' bear tranquilized after walkabout in Monrovia neighborhood|last=Money|first=Luke|date=February 21, 2020|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|language=en-US|access-date=February 22, 2020}}</ref>

Wildlife is abundant in the adjacent [[San Gabriel Mountains]], including [[mammal]]s like [[American black bear|black bears]], [[bobcat]]s, [[coyote]]s, [[gray fox]]es, [[Cougar|mountain lions]], and [[mule deer]], many of which roam area neighborhoods and visit backyards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rand |first=Jory |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Mountain lion sighting in Monrovia sparks excitement as SoCal mourns loss of P-22 |url=https://abc7.com/mountain-lion-sighting-monrovia-southern-california-wildlife/12619905/ |access-date=December 28, 2022 |website=ABC 7}}</ref> In 2024, a mother black bear and her young cubs began regularly visiting a home in Monrovia situated close to the mountains to cool-off and play in the property's swimming pool. By May, the bear family had become such regular visitors, with the homeowners posting numerous videos online, that it was reported on by multiple local, national and international news outlets, including [[Sky News Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lloyd |first1=Jonathan |last2=Arabian |first2=Nyree |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Watch: Bear and cubs enjoy pool day in Monrovia |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/bears-pool-video-monrovia/3406608/ |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=[[NBC Los Angeles]] |quote=It's not the adult bear's first visit to the neighborhood. She visits so frequently that residents have named her Maddie. "We see her often," said resident Brian Gordon. "I think one of the neighbors got 400,000 Likes on Instagram. She's swinging on a swing. She was at a open house in somebody's hot tub down the street. So, we see her quite a bit. She's even crashed our pool parties. If we're barbecuing, she’ll show up and scare everyone."}}</ref>

===Surrounding areas===
<div style= width:700px;">
:{{pad|13em}} [[Los Angeles County| unincorporated Los Angeles County]]
:{{pad|1.3em}} [[Los Angeles County| unincorporated Los Angeles County]] [[Image:Up arrow left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Up-1.svg|30px]] [[Image:Up arrow right.svg|20px]] [[Duarte, California|Duarte]]
:{{pad|12.8em}} [[Arcadia, California|Arcadia]] [[Image:Left.svg|30px]] {{pad|2.5em}} [[Image:Right.svg|30px]] [[Bradbury, California|Bradbury]]
:{{pad|13.8em}} [[Arcadia, California|Arcadia]] [[Image:Down arrow left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Down arrow.svg|30px]] [[Image:Down arrow right.svg|20px]] [[Duarte, California|Duarte]]
:{{pad|12em}} [[Mayflower Village, California|Mayflower Village]] / [[South Monrovia Island, California|South Monrovia Island]]
</div>
{{clear|left}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 907
|1900= 1205
|1910= 3576
|1920= 5480
|1930= 10890
|1940= 12807
|1950= 20186
|1960= 27079
|1970= 30562
|1980= 30531
|1990= 35761
|2000= 36929
|2010= 36590
|2020= 37931
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706023553/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br>1860–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title=1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=September 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907072108/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title=1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828190324/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1880–1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812164053/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823050629/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828162810/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918190408/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=September 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921120611/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><br> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812164028/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812164028/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823052400/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><br> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814213918/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=February 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204210903/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><br> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

Monrovia first appeared as a town in the [[1890 U.S. Census]];<ref name=1890CensusCA/> and as a city in the [[1900 U.S. Census]].<ref name=1900CensusCA/>

===2020===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Monrovia city, California – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Monrovia city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0648648&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Monrovia city, California|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0648648&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Monrovia city, California|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0648648&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|17,211
|15,023
|style='background: #ffffe6; |12,903
|46.61%
|41.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |34.02%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|3,074
|2,346
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,955
|8.32%
|6.41%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.15%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|133
|89
|style='background: #ffffe6; |66
|0.36%
|0.24%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.17%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|2,531
|3,997
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6,210
|6.85%
|10.92%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16.37%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|34
|69
|style='background: #ffffe6; |30
|0.09%
|0.19%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.08%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|73
|93
|style='background: #ffffe6; |227
|0.20%
|0.25%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.60%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|861
|930
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,553
|2.33%
|2.54%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.09%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|13,012
|14,043
|style='background: #ffffe6; |14,987
|35.24%
|38.38%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |39.51%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''36,929'''
|'''36,590'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''37,931'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010===
The [[2010 United States census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0648648|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715094126/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0648648|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Monrovia city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Monrovia had a population of 36,590. The population density was {{convert|2,668.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Monrovia was 21,932 (59.9%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (41.1% Non-Hispanic White),<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648648.html|title=US Census Quick Facts|access-date=December 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416034324/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648648.html|archive-date=April 16, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> 4,107 (11.2%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2,500 (6.8%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 279 (0.8%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 76 (0.2%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5,818 (15.9%) from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 1,878 (5.1%) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 14,043 persons (38.4%).

The census reported that 36,434 people (99.6% of the population) lived in households, 61 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 95 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 13,762 households, out of which 4,725 (34.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,295 (45.7%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 2,073 (15.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 778 (5.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 793 (5.8%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 131 (1.0%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 3,649 households (26.5%) were made up of individuals, and 1,276 (9.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65. There were 9,146 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (66.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.24.

The population was spread out, with 8,514 people (23.3%) under the age of 18, 3,084 people (8.4%) aged 18 to 24, 10,733 people (29.3%) aged 25 to 44, 10,018 people (27.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 4,241 people (11.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

There were 14,473 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,055.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 6,809 (49.5%) were owner-occupied, and 6,953 (50.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.9%. 18,478 people (50.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 17,956 people (49.1%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States census, Monrovia had a median household income of $71,768, with 9.8% of the population living below the federal poverty line.<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov"/>

===2000===
As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 36,929 people, 13,502 households, and 9,086 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,686.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 13,957 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,015.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 62.92% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 8.67% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 7.02% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.87% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.13% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 15.61% from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 4.77% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 35.24% of the population.

There were 13,502 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,375, and the median income for a family was $49,703. Males had a median income of $41,039 versus $32,259 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,686. About 9.7% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

[[Mexicans|Mexican]] (27.0%) and [[Germans|German]] (7.9%) were the most common ancestries. [[Mexico]] (48.1%) and the [[Philippines]] (8.6%) were the most common foreign places of birth.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/neighborhood/monrovia/ | title=Monrovia }}</ref>

==Economy==
[[Original Tommy's]], [[Trader Joe's]], [[Green Dot Corporation|Green Dot]] and [[Naked Juice]] are based in Monrovia. Monrovia has a "Technology Corridor,"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cityofmonrovia.ws/about-monrovia/economic-development/technology-corridor |title=Technology Corridor |publisher=Cityofmonrovia.ws |access-date=July 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316000353/http://cityofmonrovia.ws/about-monrovia/economic-development/technology-corridor |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmonrovia.org/home/showdocument?id=1486|title=City of Monrovia General Plan Amendment Land Use Element|date=April 1, 2015|access-date=February 8, 2018}}</ref> which includes [[AeroVironment]], Tanner Research, [[Parasoft]], Xencor, and ITT Deep Space Division.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Top employers===
According to the city's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 30, 2021|title=City of Monrovia Annual Comprehensive Financial Report|url=https://www.cityofmonrovia.org/home/showpublisheddocument/27724/637801105952170000|access-date=May 24, 2022|website=City of Monrovia}}</ref> the top employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of employees
|-
| 1
|Monrovia Unified School District
|724
|-
| 2
|[[Trader Joe's]]
|341
|-
| 3
|STAAR Surgical
|254
|-
| 4
|Sierra Autocars
|244
|-
| 5
|City of Monrovia
|238
|-
| 6
|[[Worley (company)|WorleyParsons]]
|218
|-
| 7
|[[Home Depot]]
|209
|-
| 8
|[[Ducommun]]
|182
|-
| 9
|Vinyl Technology
|179
|-
| 10
|[[Amada Miyachi America|Amada Myachi America]]
|164
|}

==Arts and culture==
[[File:UptonSinclairHouse-186-sm.jpg|thumb|[[Upton Sinclair House]]]]

[[Upton Sinclair House]], home to author [[Upton Sinclair]], is in Monrovia and is a [[National Historic Landmark]].

==Government==
In the [[California State Legislature]], Monrovia is in {{Representative|casd|25|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|41|fmt=adistrict}}. A small portion of the city is in {{Representative|caad|48|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |title=Statewide Database |publisher=[[Regents of the University of California]] |access-date=March 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201113744/http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Monrovia is mostly within {{Representative|cacd|31|fmt=district}} with a small portion of the city in {{Representative|cacd|28|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{cite web
|url          = http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/downloads/meeting_handouts_072011/handouts_20110729_q2_cd_finaldraft_splits.zip
|title        = Communities of Interest - City
|publisher    = California Citizens Redistricting Commission
|access-date   = September 27, 2014
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20130930184128/http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/downloads/meeting_handouts_072011/handouts_20110729_q2_cd_finaldraft_splits.zip
|archive-date = September 30, 2013
|url-status     = dead
 |df           = mdy-all
}}</ref>

==Education==
===Public schools===
[[File:Monrhs.JPG|thumb|right|[[Monrovia High School]]]]
The [[Monrovia Unified School District]] operates 12 public schools, consisting of 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 alternative school, 1 independent study school, and 1 adult school:

=== Preschools (Pre-K) ===

* Canyon Early Learning Center

=== Elementary Schools (TK-5th) ===

* Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy
* Mayflower Elementary School
* Monroe Elementary School
* Plymouth Elementary School
* Wildrose School of Creative Arts

=== Middle Schools (6th-8th) ===

* Clifton Middle School

* Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School

=== High Schools (9th-12th) ===

* [[Monrovia High School|Monrovia High School (MHS)]]

=== Alternative Schools (7th-12th) ===

* Canyon Oaks High School

=== Independent-Study Schools (K-12th) ===
* Mountain Park School

=== Adult Schools ===
* Monrovia Community Adult School

=== Colleges and universities ===
The city is a part of the [[Citrus Community College District]].

==Media==
Newspapers with offices in Monrovia include the ''[[San Gabriel Valley Tribune]]'', which publishes community news, and ''Monrovia Weekly'', a community newspaper. Public access television is provided by KGEM-TV, which is available primarily to cable viewers, with some content online.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kgem.tv/about-kgem/|title=About KGEM-TV|access-date=February 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101163908/http://kgem.tv/about-kgem/|archive-date=January 1, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[File:Monrovia trolley bus.jpg|thumb|right|Monrovia Trolley Bus in front of the Krikorian Theater (2005)]]
Monrovia's main roads include [[Foothill Boulevard (Southern California)|Foothill Boulevard]] and Huntington Drive (historic [[U.S. Route 66|Route 66]]). It is also served by the [[Interstate 210 and State Route 210 (California)|Foothill Freeway]] (I-210).

In 2016, [[Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority|Metro]] opened a new at-grade light rail station in Monrovia, [[Monrovia station]], at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Duarte Road. It is served by the [[A Line (Los Angeles Metro)|Metro A Line]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foothillgoldline.org/construction_phases/pasadena_to_azusa|title=Foothill Gold Line Pasadena to Azusa|access-date=February 8, 2018}}</ref> It is at the location of the former Santa Fe Depot, which still stands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sgvtribune.com/2017/12/06/heres-what-developers-are-planning-for-monrovias-restored-1926-santa-fe-train-depot/ |title=Here's what developers are planning for Monrovia's restored 1926 Santa Fe train depot|date=December 6, 2017 |access-date=February 8, 2018|first1=Steve|last1=Scauzillo|website=San Gabriel Valley Tribune}}</ref>

===Health care===
The [[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services]] operates the Monrovia Health Center in Monrovia.<ref>"[http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phn/docs/HealthCenter/monrovia.pdf Monrovia Health Center]." [[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services]]. Retrieved on March 27, 2010.</ref>

==Notable people==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Allen Allensworth]], American chaplain, colonel, and founder of Allensworth, Tulare County
*[[Kenny Baker (American singer and actor)|Kenny Baker]], singer and actor
*[[Corie Blount]], basketball player, [[Los Angeles Lakers]], [[Chicago Bulls]]
*[[Cisco Carlos]], Major League Baseball pitcher
*[[Jason Earles]], actor
*[[Mary Ford]], vocalist and guitarist
*[[Jim Fuller (musician)|Jim Fuller]], guitarist for [[The Surfaris]] (of "Wipeout" fame)
*[[Prince Gomolvilas]], playwright
*[[Dean R. Hirsch]], president of [[World Vision International]]
*[[Ernie Johnson (shortstop)|Ernie Johnson]], former baseball player and member of the New York Yankees first World Series championship team 1923
*[[Ian Johnson (American football)|Ian Johnson]], American football player
*[[Katie Johnson (soccer)|Katie Johnson]], Mexican-American soccer player for the [[San Diego Wave]] in the [[NWSL]]
*[[Anna H. Jones]], African American educator and activist
*[[Steven Kiyoshi Kuromiya]], gay rights activist
*[[Ellis McCarthy]], defensive tackle for [[Miami Dolphins]]
*[[Corky King]], founder of [[Summum]]
*[[Scott Land]], puppeteer/actor
*[[Don Mankiewicz]], screenwriter and novelist
*[[Francis M. Pottenger, Jr.]], nutrition researcher
*[[Kim Rhode]], three-time Olympic gold medalist (six medals total) in trap and skeet shooting
*[[Thomas J. Sargent]], 2011 Nobel Prize in Economics, graduated from [[Monrovia High School]] in 1961
*[[Upton Sinclair]] and [[Mary Craig Sinclair]], authors and producers
*[[Jacob Smith (actor)|Jacob Smith]], actor
*[[William A. Spinks]] (1865–1933), champion [[carom billiards]] pro, co-inventor of modern [[Billiard chalk|billiards cue chalk]], oil investor, and flower and [[avocado]] farmer (developer of the Spinks avocado [[cultivar]]); also maintained home and farm in nearby Duarte
*[[Leslie Van Houten]], Monrovia High School graduate, [[Charles Manson]] follower
*[[Henry B. Walthall]] (1878–1936), actor
*[[The Fabulous Wonder Twins]], entertainers
{{div col end}}
*[[Ashley Sanchez]] Professional Soccer Player for the [[Washington Spirit]] in the [[NWSL]] and the [[USWNT]]

==In popular culture==
*The house seen in the 1986 horror-comedy cult film ''[[House (1986 film)|House]]'' is at 329 Melrose Avenue in Monrovia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/h/House.html |title=Film locations for House (1986) |publisher=Movie-locations.com |access-date=July 1, 2013}}</ref>
*The exterior house seen in the 2018 [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] [[Horror film|horror]] [[thriller film]] ''[[Bird Box (film)|Bird Box]]'', which was [[Over-the-top media service|streamed]] worldwide on [[Netflix]], is at 304 North Canyon Boulevard and the corner of East Greystone Avenue in Monrovia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalfilmlocations.net/2018/12/23/bird-box-2018-film-locations/ |title=Bird Box (2018) Film Locations |date=December 23, 2018 |publisher=globalfilmlocations.net |access-date=March 9, 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Greater Los Angeles}}
*[[Baseball Reliquary]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Monrovia (California)}}
*{{official website|https://www.cityofmonrovia.org/}} City of Monrovia website
*{{Cite Americana|wstitle=Monrovia (California)|display=Monrovia, Cal. |year=1920 |short=x}}

{{Geographic location
 | Centre =Monrovia
 | North =[[San Gabriel Mountains]]
 | Northeast =[[Bradbury, California|Bradbury]]
 | East =[[Duarte, California|Duarte]]
 | Southeast = [[Baldwin Park, California|Baldwin Park]]
 | South = [[El Monte, California|El Monte]]
 | Southwest =[[North El Monte, California|North El Monte]]
 | West = [[Arcadia, California|Arcadia]]
 | Northwest = [[San Gabriel Mountains]]
 | image =
}}
{{Cities of Los Angeles County, California}}
{{Greater Los Angeles Area}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Monrovia, California| ]]
[[Category:1887 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Cities in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Communities in the San Gabriel Valley]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1887]]