Monticello is all about wood. The city of more than 8,000 people is surrounded by the pine and cypress forests of the Arkansas Timberlands. Not surprisingly, the timber industry is important to the region, and it continues to expand. The Weyerhaeuser Company is constructing a $500 million timber facility near the city that is expected to create hundreds of jobs.
While timber attracts many to the area, other aspects of Monticello keep them there. Lake Monticello is a summer destination and the University of Arkansas at Monticello enrolls more than 3,000 students.
The Weyerhaeuser Company is constructing a $500 million timber facility near the city that is expected to create hundreds of jobs.
Many homes in Monticello are surrounded by tall trees.
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Ranch-style homes for below-median prices
Homes have a median price of around $175,000, below the state median, and stay on the market for about 110 days on average. Ranch-style homes with brick exteriors are found throughout the city, as are larger traditional homes. “We have some newer subdivisions, and we are expecting more to come up with the new Weyerhaeuser plant,” says Virginia Ward, a principal broker with Monticello Realty.
Brick ranch styled dwellings are a common design in Monticello.
The median home price in Monticello is around $175,000.
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Lake Monticello attracts visitors from across the region
Lake Monticello has developed a reputation as a premier bass fishing location. Multiple boat ramps allow visitors to get on the water. The lake also features a natural quail habitat, playgrounds and a disc golf course. “If people are looking for an afternoon of fun, they will head to the lake,” Ward says. The Lakewoods Trails are a set of non-motorized paths surrounding Lake Monticello. There are 7 miles of trails currently constructed with 25 miles being the end goal in the future. Other green spaces focus on athletics. About 35% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, lower than the urban U.S. median.
Stop by the town square in downtown Monticello.
Monticello is a city embraced with nature and beautiful scenery.
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The state's only Forest Resources Center
The Monticello School District serves more than 1,500 students across four schools and has a B-minus Niche grade. Monticello Elementary School holds an individual B score. Some students may be served by the Drew Central School District, which has a C-plus grade.
The University of Arkansas at Monticello is home to the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, the only such center in the state.
Older students may attend Drew Central High School.
Students may pursue a degree at The University of Arkansas at Monticello.
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Downtown murals and the Pomeroy Planetarium
A mural depicting animals, industries and places important to Monticello was painted next to city hall. More downtown murals are planned, expanding on the ideas expressed in the original.
The Turner Neal Museum of Natural History contains the Pomeroy Planetarium, one of four in Arkansas. The museum also contains information on local plant life and wildlife.
Each October, The Nightmare Maze is held in the woods behind the Allen House, a residence thought by some to be haunted. The home used to be open for tours before it was purchased by a family in 2024, but the scare-filled maze continues to run.
Monticello is a small Arkansas city located about 2 hours from Little Rock.
The Turner Neal Museum of Natural History in Monticello has several great exhibits to visit.
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Ray's Hamburgers is a local institution
Most dining and shopping options are found along U.S. Route 425, which passes through the western side of the city. The city has a mix of big-box stores like Bealls and smaller boutiques and thrift stores. Ray’s Hamburgers has served the community since 1964. “Ray’s is the talk of the town,” Ward says. “People that grew up here will come back just to eat there.”
Ray’s Hamburgers has served the Monticello community since 1964.
Stop by Walmart for your grocery needs in Monticello.
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Convenient access to Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport
U.S. Route 278 runs perpendicular to U.S. Route 425 and cuts through the middle of the city. Monticello is around 50 miles from Pine Bluff, home of Saracen Casino Resort, and about 90 miles from Little Rock, the state capital. Little Rock’s Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport has domestic flights to several destinations. Baptist Health Medical Center – Drew County is a 60-bed hospital.
For travel needs, residents may take a 2 hours drive to the Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport.
The Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff opened in 2020.
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Crime rates below the state average
The city’s violent crime rate has risen in recent years while its property crime rate has fallen. Both rates are below the state average. Summers are long and humid, while winters are short but cold. Drew County is at a moderate risk of ice storms and strong wind.
Written By
Ryan Kohn
Photography Contributed By
Zach Manwell
Video By
David Strayer
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Monticello, AR sell after 109 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Monticello, AR over the last 12 months is $182,500, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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