Monroe County is located in the east-central region of Arkansas and has a population of 8441 people as recorded by the 2010 Census. Its county seat and largest city is Clarendon. Monroe County was created on November 2nd 1829 from portions of Phillips and Arkansas Counties and named after James Monroe who served as President from 1817 to 1825. It's economy relies primarily on agriculture as well as small business enterprises such as logging, manufacturing textiles and tourism related services with its numerous outdoor activities including hunting fishing hiking horseback riding etc.