Moving to Monon, Indiana

Monon, Indiana is a small city in White County on the banks of the Tippecanoe River. It has a population of nearly 2,000 people and is known for its unique history and culture. The geography of Monon consists mostly of flat plains with some rolling hills in the southern part of the city. The climate is mild with warm summers and cold winters, perfect for outdoor activities year-round.

The history of Monon dates back to 1832 when it was founded by settlers from Ohio and Kentucky. The town quickly grew into a prosperous farming community known for its production of corn and wheat. In 1846, Monon was incorporated as a town and gained its current name from the nearby river which was named after an Indian chief who lived in the area.

Politically, Monon is part of White County which has been reliably Republican since the 1960s. Economically, Monon has historically been closely tied to agriculture but in recent years it has diversified its economy with some light industry and tourism businesses.

Monon is served by two public schools: Central Elementary School and Monon High School which serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The town also has several private schools including St. Mary’s Catholic School and White County Christian Academy which provide an alternative educational option for families in the area.

The most prominent landmark in Monon is Tippecanoe River State Park which offers visitors a chance to explore nature along the river’s banks or take part in recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, canoeing, hiking, biking or camping at one of their many campgrounds throughout the park. A few other notable landmarks include Roachdale Park which features several playgrounds for children as well as picnic areas; Bailey Memorial Library which houses more than 10,000 books; and Dyer-Bennett House Museum which allows visitors to step back into time with restored 19th century buildings from around White County on display inside their museum walls.

Population: 1,733. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,654 (-4.6% change)
Males: 849 (49.0%), Females: 884 (51.0%)

White County

Zip code: 47959

Demographics

Median resident age: 31.9 years
Median household income: $32,235
Median house value: $57,700

Population by Race

Races in Monon:

• White Non-Hispanic (80.4%)
• Hispanic (17.3%)
• Other race (12.5%)
• American Indian (2.0%)
• Two or more races (1.9%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (17.0%), United States (13.8%), Irish (9.2%), English (4.8%), Dutch (3.0%), Polish (2.3%).

Elevation: 668 feet

Land area: 0.6 square miles

Population by Education

Monon, Indiana is a small town with a population of approximately 1,000 people. The majority of the population is made up of Caucasian individuals, with a smaller percentage of African American and Hispanic individuals. There are also a few Native Americans who call Monon home. The median age in Monon is around 40 years old, and the median household income is around $36,000 per year. The town has an even split between male and female residents, and most households are made up of married couples with children. Education levels vary greatly in Monon, but the majority of residents have at least some college education or higher. Despite its small size, Monon has its own school system that serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Additionally, there are several churches located within the town limits that provide spiritual guidance to its citizens. The community is close-knit and supportive; many events throughout the year bring people together to celebrate their heritage and culture while having fun at the same time.

For population 25 years and over in Monon

• High school or higher: 71.5%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 4.4%
• Graduate or professional degree: 1.7%
• Unemployed: 5.1%
• Mean travel time to work: 23.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Monon town

• Never married: 25.3%
• Now married: 54.3%
• Separated: 1.6%
• Widowed: 8.4%
• Divorced: 10.5%

13.6% Foreign born (12.8% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +148 (+9.3%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Monon:

• WHITE COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 11 miles; MONTICELLO, IN)
• JASPER COUNTY HOSPITAL (about 20 miles; RENSSELAER, IN)
• PULASKI MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 21 miles; WINAMAC, IN)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Monon:

• PURDUE UNIVERSITY (about 33 miles; LAFAYETTE, IN; Abbreviation: LAF)
• PORTER COUNTY MUNI (about 42 miles; VALPARAISO, IN; Abbreviation: VPZ)
• GRISSOM ARB (about 53 miles; PERU, IN; Abbreviation: GUS)

Other public-use airports nearest to Monon:

• WHITE COUNTY (about 14 miles; MONTICELLO, IN; Abbreviation: MCX)
• JASPER COUNTY (about 21 miles; RENSSELAER, IN; Abbreviation: RZL)
• BOYER FLIGHT PARK (about 22 miles; BURNETTSVILLE, IN; Abbreviation: 7W7)

Amtrak station near Monon:

• 20 miles: RENSSELAER (619 N. CULLEN ST.). Services: fully wheelchair accessible, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Monon:

• PURDUE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 31 miles; WEST LAFAYETTE, IN; Full-time enrollment: 36,407)
• VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY (about 44 miles; VALPARAISO, IN; Full-time enrollment: 3,376)
• PURDUE UNIVERSITY-NORTH CENTRAL CAMPUS (about 48 miles; WESTVILLE, IN; Full-time enrollment: 2,500)
• IVY TECH STATE COLLEGE-NORTHWEST (about 57 miles; GARY, IN; Full-time enrollment: 2,432)
• INDIANA UNIVERSITY-NORTHWEST (about 58 miles; GARY, IN; Full-time enrollment: 3,208)
• PURDUE UNIVERSITY-CALUMET CAMPUS (about 64 miles; HAMMOND, IN; Full-time enrollment: 6,312)
• INDIANA UNIVERSITY-SOUTH BEND (about 65 miles; SOUTH BEND, IN; Full-time enrollment: 4,725)

Schools

Public high school in Monon:

• NORTH WHITE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 259; Location: 310 E BROADWAY; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Monon:

• MONON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 260; Location: 167 W SR 16; Grades: PK – 05)
• NORTH WHITE MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 257; Location: 310 E BROADWAY; Grades: 06 – 08)

Libraries

Library in Monon:

• MONON TOWN & TWP PL (Operating income: $163,709; Location: 427 N MARKET ST; 27,569 books; 623 audio materials; 1,713 video materials; 104 serial subscriptions)