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Created in 1847, Montserrado  County, located in Liberia, is a first-level administrative division with its capital Bensonville. The county is also houses the national capital Monrovia.

Background and Introduction

Spanning 1,908 square kilometers (km²), Montserrado is situated in north western Liberia. It is bounded by Bomi to the west, Bong to the north, and Margibi to the east. The southern part of Montserrado lies on the Atlantic Coast.

There are 17 Electoral Districts (ED) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17; and 15 Administrative Districts (Careysburg, West Point Township, St. Paul River, Todee, Borough of New Kru Town, Gardnersville Township, Barnersville Township, Lousana Township, Paynesville Township, Congo Town Township, New Georgia Township, Caldwell Township, Greater Monrovia, Garglohn Township and Johnsonville Township), comprising 2 Chiefdom and 7 Clans. County leadership is headed by a superintendent, while districts, townships, and boroughs are governed by representatives and senators, commissioners, and governors respectively. See the Table below.

Montserrado Electoral Districts Registered Voters Summary Dashboard (View/Close)

According to the 2022 census by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), the population stands at 1,920,965 made up of 942,559 males and  978,406  females representing 49.1% and 50.9% respectively. See the Table below.

According to the 2022 census by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), the population stands at 1,920,965 made up of 942,559 males and  978,406  females representing 49.1% and 50.9% respectively and 36.59% of the national population figure of 5,250,187. Montserrado is the oldest county. See the Table below.

History

Montserrado County, the oldest county in Liberia, has a rich history dating back to the early days of the Republic of Liberia. In 1821, a group of formerly enslaved African Americans settled on Providence Island along the Mesurrado River, where Monrovia, the nation’s capital, is now located.

The county was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 26, 1847. Many townships and cities in Montserrado County are named after the early settlers or the places they came from in the United States, such as Brewerville, Royesville, Harrisburg, Virginia, Caldwell, and Gardnerville. Over time, the county’s administrative territories changed, leading to the formation of other counties.

Flag

The flag of Montserrado symbolizes governance and national leadership.

Technical Description

The flag contains four colours, blue, red, brown and green. The top half is blue and the bottom half is red, split along a diagonal line running from the lower left hand corner to the upper right hand corner. In the center of the flag features a light blue circle containing a scene with a house surrounded by tall trees. The imagery reflecting governance and commerce with the Liberian flag in the canton and the county seal on the field.

Design Elements and Symbolism

Blue – symbolizes governance and that Montserrado was the first county.
Red – Represents the bloodshed from wars between tribal members and the African-American settlers.
Green Trees and a Brown House – Green trees surrounding a brown house depict landscape and development of the region.
Liberian Flag Canton – National unity.

Credit Sources:
Republic of Liberia – Ministry of Internal Affairs
Liberian Government Gazette (1964 Establishment Act)
National Archives of Liberia
Montserrado County Administration
Official County Publications
County Development Agenda (CDA)
2022 Housing and Population Census: Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS)
National Elections Commission (NEC), Republic of Liberia
Senate.gov.lr