Western Oregon University is the town's most prominent feature and adds significantly to it's population while school is in session. Beyond the university Monmouth is a mostly agricultural town.
A 144-year-old ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in supermarkets, restaurants and barss came to an end January 10, 2003 after a public vote in 2002. At the time the ban was lifted, Monmouth was the last "dry" municipality in not only Oregon, but the western United States (excluding Alaska).
Before the ban of liquor was lifted, most travelled to Momouth's very nearby sister city of Independence, Oregon to buy and consume alcohol.
Geography
Monmouth is located at 44°50'57" North, 123°13'48" West (44.849153, -123.230004)1. It is about 30 miles west of Salem, Oregon via Highway 99.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.0 km² (1.9 mi²). 5.0 km² (1.9 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 7,741 people, 2,757 households, and 1,488 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,548.6/km² (4,004.3/mi²). There are 2,934 housing units at an average density of 587.0/km² (1,517.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 85.67% White, 0.92% African American, 1.05% Native American, 2.04% Asian, 0.74% Pacific Islander, 6.21% from other races, and 3.37% from two or more races. 9.73% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,757 households out of which 26.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% are married couples living together, 9.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 46.0% are non-families. 24.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.50 and the average family size is 3.03.
In the city the population is spread out with 19.5% under the age of 18, 35.9% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 23 years. For every 100 females there are 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $32,256, and the median income for a family is $48,600. Males have a median income of $33,500 versus $25,185 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,474. 24.6% of the population and 7.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.1% are under the age of 18 and 5.6% are 65 or older.