West Monroe

Located south of West Monroe, Brownsville is an unincorporated community in Ouachita Parish. “Brownsville is a bit more country. It's a bit more residential than Bawcomville" which is more industrial, says Mike Downhour, director of membership and community engagement for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. “It can be a very affordable place with lower property costs, but there’s a reason for that.” Few businesses are in the area, and nearly a third of all residents live below the poverty level. However, several local churches and community organizations are working to meet the needs of residents and make long-term changes in the area. Despite the presence of abandoned homes and stalled beautification efforts, the community is strong. “It’s a really close-knit community. The majority of residents grew up there,” says Brock Duncan, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Parishwide Partners. “You’ll find a lot of three-bedroom, one-bathroom shotgun homes, and the majority of them are more than 40 years old. You see a lot of mobile homes because you can buy land and put a mobile home on it.” Empty lots, abandoned houses and fixer-uppers can range from $15,000 to $50,000. Manufactured homes on pier and beam foundations can range from $20,000 to $80,000. A three-bedroom brick ranch can range from $100,000 to $160,000. Plus, the area has a high volume of rental properties. Kids can attend schools in the Ouachita Parish Public Schools District. Riser Elementary School and Riser Middle School both receive a B-minus from Niche. West Monroe High School receives an A-minus. Students can participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, and the football team has numerous district, state and national championships under their belt. The area’s claim to fame is Duck Commander, the warehouse, museum and gift shop owned by the Robertson family in the hit A&E reality TV show “Duck Dynasty.” Patrons can take a self-guided tour of the flagship store and museum, which spans 10,000 square feet. The Duck Commander Museum has 15 galleries of Robertson family artifacts, set recreations and behind-the-scenes props. A Cinemark Tinseltown movie theater is located further north in West Monroe. There are no parks in Brownsville, but residents can fish and boat on the Ouachita River, which borders the neighborhood to the east. Residents typically head to West Monroe for shopping and dining, but there are some local options. Latin Food and Café Restaurant is a no-frills diner with Honduran food like pupusas and fried plantains. For classic American fare, Smith Street Coney Island is the go-to place for hot dogs and burgers. Dollar stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General are common in the area, and Harvest Foods on Smith Street is the closest grocery store. Local news reports Brownsville has higher than average rates of property and violent crimes. Community organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Louisiana and local churches work to meet the immediate and long-term needs of residents. Several area churches have come together to create donation closets at elementary and middle schools in the region to provide clean clothes, hygiene items and other necessities to kids. “We feed people and pass out backpacks with supplies. We try to take the stress off of families,” says Jimmy Russell, a lead organizer with Bawcomville Outreach. The group partners with houses of worship like Family Church to host food and supply drives, provide Thanksgiving meals and host seasonal events to uplift the community. Glenwood Regional Medical Center is 2 miles north of Brownsville, and Monroe Regional Airport is less than 10 miles east. While there is no public transportation in the area, residents can drive 3 miles north on State Route 34 to get to West Monroe or take the same road 3 miles northeast to get to Downtown Monroe. Homes located between Jonesboro Road and Thomas Road are at higher risk of flooding due to their proximity to a creek that flows through the area. Residents may also catch a whiff of the Bawcomville paper mill, which produces a distinct sulfur smell.

Flanked to the north by Bayou D’Arbonne and the D’Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge, Claiborne is a largely rural area with a population of about 12,000. Although Claiborne is an unincorporated census-designated place 3 miles west of West Monroe, many residents simply call the area West Monroe. “It’s just a great place to be,” says Samuel Nelson, a former resident and Realtor with five years of experience at THLT Realty. “As far as raising families, it’s great. West Monroe High School is a sought-after high school. There’s a ton of kids here, and there’s great parks. We’re in the Bible Belt, so there’s a lot of great community stuff within the churches.” Many families choose to move to the area for its highly rated schools. Kids can start at Claiborne Elementary School, one of the most sought-after elementary schools in Claiborne and an A-minus school according to Niche. “It’s the largest elementary school, but it is the No. 1 elementary school,” says Brian Bendily, a sales associate with John Rea Realty with 18 years of experience. “We have a very robust education system. It’s a great place to raise a family.” Kids in grades 6-8 can attend West Ridge Middle School, which also receives an A-minus. Teens can graduate from West Monroe High School, another A-minus school. The high school football team has won eight state championships and two national championships. There are several churches in the region, and faith plays an important role in everyday life for many residents. “It’s a faith-based area for sure. There are churches everywhere,” Nelson says. “Even if someone seems rude, if you’re in a serious situation or bind, I can’t think of too many people who wouldn’t give you the shirt off their back. That’s what I love about this area. I can get in my car and start driving, and within 10 minutes I’ll see 15-20 cars with my church sticker on the back of it.” Residents turn to churches for both spiritual and social nourishment by participating in Bible studies, youth groups and outreach ministries that give back to the West Monroe and Monroe area. The area boasts a diverse array of churches, from quaint chapels with a few dozen congregants to large-scale churches like Whites Ferry Road Church that can see more than 1,000 worshipers on Sunday mornings. Potential homebuyers can find a broad array of homes in the area. Ranches and single-story homes with brick and wood siding are common, as are single-car garages with additional carports. “We’re a very rural community, but there are a lot of great homes here and a lot of great value for people in West Monroe,” Bendily says. “We have a very diverse housing stock, anywhere from homes that are less than five years old to homes that are 50-plus years old. With a lot of the older homes, we’re seeing people re-invest in them and upgrade them in many cases. You can get a starter home in the $150,000s all the way to luxury homes that are $700,000-plus.” On the lower end of the price spectrum, buyers can expect a three-bedroom fixer-upper built between the 1960s and the early 1990s to range from $150,000 to $200,000. A move-in ready ranch with three bedrooms can range from $200,000 to $300,000. New builds tend to skew higher, ranging from $250,000 to $350,000. Larger abodes with four or more bedrooms can cost between $400,000 and $600,000, but the most expensive homes in coveted neighborhoods like Lost Lakes and Briarcliff can range from $600,000 to $850,000. There’s no shortage of things to do in the West Monroe area. Hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing are popular at D’Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge, a protected habitat for bottomland hardwood forest and the alligators, bald eagles and the little-known Rafinesque's big-eared bat that call the forest home. Spanning 150 acres, Kiroli Park is a community staple with a little something for everyone. The park has several playgrounds, including the all-abilities Smiles Park. Anglers can catch catfish in the park’s stocked fishing pond, while outdoor enthusiasts can walk and bike on more than 5 miles of unpaved trails. Pups can play at the dog park and splash around the water feature on hot summer days. However, parkgoers should be aware that there is a $1 admission fee per person. Sports lovers can hit the courts at West Monroe Sports and Events, a $25 million sports facility designed to host large indoor sports tournaments and events that opened in January 2024. Surge Entertainment was built for family fun and to get kids moving, whether that’s scrambling through an obstacle course or playing a riveting round of laser tag. The facility also has bowling alleys, an arcade, sports simulators and a rock-climbing wall. Residents can grab groceries at Walmart inside the neighborhood. While the area has its fair share of national chain restaurants, there are some local eateries and franchises. Breakfast is king at Belle’s Ole South Diner, where patrons can tuck into pillowy beignets and fluffy homemade biscuits. Magic Grill is known for its “magical” po-boys served with fresh-cut fries and homemade gravy. Those looking for fine dining can turn to downtown Monroe about 5 miles east. Parish Restaurant & Bar — a gourmet restaurant owned by Cory Bahr, a Monroe native and decorated chef — sports a rotating menu of fresh seasonal ingredients, seafood, steaks and handmade pasta in a luxe atmosphere. Warehouse No. 1 overlooks the Ouachita River and serves up steaks and Louisiana-style seafood in a rustic setting. Glenwood Regional Medical Center is about 3 miles east of the area, while Monroe Regional Airport is about 11 miles east. There is no public transportation in the region. Interstate 20 — a major east-west artery that stretches from the Texas state line to the Mississippi River— is just south of the neighborhood. “As far as location, it’s very, very easy to get around,” Nelson says. “You have that feeling of seclusion, but you can get in town super fast. A lot of people here will commute fairly good distances given how close we are to the interstate.” He adds that residents are within a four-hour drive of weekend getaway destinations like Dallas, New Orleans and Little Rock, Arkansas.