Richwood is a supportive rural community just south of Monroe
The rural community of Richwood sits just south of Monroe, getting access to the mid-sized city’s amenities while retaining its country atmosphere. The region’s people are “warm and friendly,” says Brian Bendily, a Realtor with John Rea Realty. Its sense of community is seen in the celebration of the Richwood High School boys basketball team, which won a state championship in 2025. In response, the town put a large picture of the Rams on the home page of its administrative website. The area’s close to 3,500 residents often spend time together playing sports at local parks or enjoying Monroe’s arts scene a few miles away. “There’s something to offer everyone here,” Bendily says. “You just might have to look a little harder to find it.”
Brick ranch-style homes with carports sit along narrow streets
Brick homes are typical in the community, especially ranch-style homes. They often sit on lots of an acre or more and can have carports. Properties can range from $55,000 to $140,000. More than half of the community rents. The car-dependent area’s rural roads are spaced far apart; most do not lie in a grid-like pattern. Streets are narrow, and many lack lane lines and sidewalks. Drivers will commonly see dense woods and farmland surrounding the roads. Yards are typically sparse but can have medium- and large-sized trees and small bushes along the front of the house.
Nearby restaurants include Southern eateries and Warehouse No. 1
The community has no restaurants within its boundaries, but several sit a few miles away. Downtown Monroe’s Warehouse No. 1 is an upscale steak and seafood restaurant overlooking the Ouachita River. “It’s a great local hangout,” Bendily says. Chisley’s Soul Food serves down-home meals in a casual environment. Kravins Restaurant specializes in wings and Southern-style entrees. Big Momma’s Fine Foods has daily plate lunches and homemade desserts. DG Market and Mac’s Fresh Market are nearby, and retail stores like Ross Dress for Less and JCPenney are close to 5 miles north.
Ouachita Parish Schools offers students varied career paths
Students are served by Ouachita Parish Schools. They can attend Robinson Elementary School, which has a C Niche grade. Richwood Junior High School also receives a C. Richwood High School offers career pathways like business management and architecture and construction. It earns a C-minus score.
The state’s LA GATOR Scholarship Program creates education scholarship accounts for eligible families. The state sends money to these accounts for families to use on private school tuition and other expenses. Ouachita Christian School, about 10 miles away in North Monroe, receives an A-minus from Niche. The community is just over 5 miles from the University of Louisiana Monroe, which has more than 8,000 students.
Train at a boxing gym, learn about Coca-Cola or visit animals at a zoo
Richwood Park has a playground, a running track, picnic areas and a multi-purpose field. About one mile west is the B.J. Washington Boxing & Fitness Center, which has workout equipment and runs youth programs. To the north, the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo has about 200 animal species living in naturalistic habitats. In Monroe’s Garden District, close to 7 miles away, the Biedenharn Museum & Garden offers several attractions, including an English garden and exhibits on the history of Coca-Cola — the museum was named after the first bottler of the soft drink.
Monroe celebrates Christmas, July 4th and Mardi Gras
Each 4th of July, Monroe shoots fireworks over the Ouachita River, and the area’s Krewe of Janus throws an annual Mardi Gras Parade. The town also holds Christmas Markets and screens holiday movies outdoors each December. Nearby, The Well Church donates care packages and food to local schools and residents as part of its Contagious Compassion initiative.
Interstate 20 is close, as is St. Francis Medical Center
U.S. Route 165 is the community’s western boundary, and Interstate 20 is a few miles north. Monroe’s downtown is close to 5 miles away, and Monroe Regional Airport is about a 7-mile drive. Monroe Transit buses take riders throughout the city. St. Francis Medical Center, a 325-bed facility, is less than 5 miles away. Bendily says the area has a typically mild climate and is rarely affected by hurricanes or other heavy storms.
