When Drew County was formed in 1846, its citizens decided that a new town should be built to serve as the county seat. In 1849, land was donated for the town site. The first courthouse was built in 1851, and a second courthouse was erected in 1857. Two trials were held in that courthouse in March and September 1859 to consider whether the slave Abby Guy ought to be freed. The first trial resulted in a hung jury but the second jury of twelve local men found in her favor and she was set free. During the Civil War, several small skirmishes were fought around Monticello. The Rodger's Female Academy was used as a hospital for Confederate soldiers.
Geography
Monticello is located west of the center of Drew County at . U.S. Routes 425 and 278 intersect in the city, west of downtown. U.S. 425 leads north to Pine Bluff and south to Hamburg, while US 278 leads west to Warren and east to McGehee. According to the United States Census Bureau, Monticello has a total area of, of which, or 0.14%, is water.
Climate
Monticello lies in the humid subtropical climate zone. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,146 people, 3,592 households, and 2,316 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 3,972 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 64.96% White, 32.62% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population. There were 3,592 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94. In the city, the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 16.1% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males. The median income for a household in the city was $26,821, and the median income for a family was $36,615. Males had a median income of $32,029 versus $21,546 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,113. About 14.8% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 20.2% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Monticello operates under a mayor-council government, with two aldermen representing the city's four wards on the city council. Aldermen are elected to two-year terms. The mayor, city attorney, and municipal judge are elected to four-year terms.
High School football is a popular community event; the Monticello High School Billies won the AAA state championship in 1994 and in 2009.; the Monticello Middle School football team was undefeated in the years from 2005–2008. The Drew Central High School football team was recently reincorporated after a fire destroyed the team's equipment.
