Mountain View, Arkansas | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Music on the steps of the Stone County Courthouse | |
| Nickname: Folk Music Capital of the World | |
| Motto: "Your Place in the Mountains"[1] | |
 Location of Mountain View in Stone County, Arkansas. | |
| Coordinates:35°51′54″N92°6′31″W / 35.86500°N 92.10861°W /35.86500; -92.10861 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Stone |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Roger Gardner |
| Area | |
• Total | 7.30 sq mi (18.91 km2) |
| • Land | 7.30 sq mi (18.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0039 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 755 ft (230 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,877 |
• Estimate (2024) | 2,950 |
| • Density | 394.3/sq mi (152.25/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 72533, 72560 |
| Area code | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-47540 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404333[3] |
| Website | www |
Mountain View is the largest city in and thecounty seat ofStone County, Arkansas, United States, located inthe Ozarks. As of the2020 census, Mountain View had a population of 2,877.[4] The city's economy is largely based on tourism related to its title as the "Folk Music Capital of the World".[5] The city is also known for outdoors recreation opportunities, includingBlanchard Springs Caverns,trout fishing on theWhite River and theOzark National Forest.
The town's name is derived from its location in a valley bordered by the Blue Mountain Range of the Ozark Mountains. Mountain View was incorporated on August 14, 1890.[6] Prior to the founding of Mountain View in 1890, the town of Riggsville, established in 1819 by Thomas Augustus Riggs, existed immediately to the east remaining until after theCivil War, when towns with southern sympathies were to be renamed or moved altogether.[citation needed]
AnEF4 tornado caused major damage to the town on February 5, 2008, in the2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak.
Mountain View is located at35°51′54″N92°6′31″W / 35.86500°N 92.10861°W /35.86500; -92.10861 (35.864886, −92.108497).[7]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.7 km2), of which 6.8 square miles (17.7 km2) is land and 0.15% is water.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Mountain View has ahumid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[8]
| Climate data for Mountain View, Arkansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1962–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 78 (26) | 83 (28) | 91 (33) | 94 (34) | 95 (35) | 108 (42) | 109 (43) | 114 (46) | 106 (41) | 93 (34) | 88 (31) | 81 (27) | 114 (46) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 69.3 (20.7) | 73.5 (23.1) | 80.0 (26.7) | 84.9 (29.4) | 88.6 (31.4) | 94.3 (34.6) | 99.0 (37.2) | 99.3 (37.4) | 95.9 (35.5) | 87.7 (30.9) | 76.8 (24.9) | 69.8 (21.0) | 101.2 (38.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 47.6 (8.7) | 52.8 (11.6) | 61.2 (16.2) | 70.8 (21.6) | 78.1 (25.6) | 86.5 (30.3) | 91.1 (32.8) | 90.5 (32.5) | 83.6 (28.7) | 72.9 (22.7) | 60.5 (15.8) | 50.5 (10.3) | 70.5 (21.4) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 37.9 (3.3) | 42.3 (5.7) | 50.4 (10.2) | 59.4 (15.2) | 67.7 (19.8) | 76.1 (24.5) | 80.3 (26.8) | 79.1 (26.2) | 71.7 (22.1) | 60.7 (15.9) | 49.7 (9.8) | 40.8 (4.9) | 59.7 (15.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 28.3 (−2.1) | 31.7 (−0.2) | 39.7 (4.3) | 48.0 (8.9) | 57.3 (14.1) | 65.8 (18.8) | 69.5 (20.8) | 67.7 (19.8) | 59.7 (15.4) | 48.6 (9.2) | 39.0 (3.9) | 31.1 (−0.5) | 48.9 (9.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 9.3 (−12.6) | 13.9 (−10.1) | 19.6 (−6.9) | 30.7 (−0.7) | 39.8 (4.3) | 52.1 (11.2) | 59.0 (15.0) | 56.0 (13.3) | 42.6 (5.9) | 30.4 (−0.9) | 21.4 (−5.9) | 15.2 (−9.3) | 6.6 (−14.1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −12 (−24) | −7 (−22) | 7 (−14) | 21 (−6) | 32 (0) | 42 (6) | 49 (9) | 42 (6) | 30 (−1) | 21 (−6) | 8 (−13) | −9 (−23) | −12 (−24) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.49 (89) | 3.41 (87) | 4.99 (127) | 5.64 (143) | 5.63 (143) | 3.81 (97) | 3.82 (97) | 3.88 (99) | 3.54 (90) | 4.26 (108) | 5.11 (130) | 4.30 (109) | 51.88 (1,318) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.2 (3.0) | 1.5 (3.8) | 1.3 (3.3) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.8 (2.0) | 4.9 (12) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 7.1 | 6.6 | 9.2 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.2 | 92.1 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 2.1 |
| Source:NOAA[9][10] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 99 | — | |
| 1900 | 226 | — | |
| 1910 | 272 | 20.4% | |
| 1920 | 342 | 25.7% | |
| 1930 | 458 | 33.9% | |
| 1940 | 745 | 62.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,043 | 40.0% | |
| 1960 | 983 | −5.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,866 | 89.8% | |
| 1980 | 2,147 | 15.1% | |
| 1990 | 2,439 | 13.6% | |
| 2000 | 2,876 | 17.9% | |
| 2010 | 2,748 | −4.5% | |
| 2020 | 2,877 | 4.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 2,950 | 2.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 2,641 | 91.8% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 12 | 0.42% |
| Native American | 17 | 0.59% |
| Asian | 13 | 0.45% |
| Other/Mixed | 126 | 4.38% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 68 | 2.36% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 2,877 people, 1,273 households, and 540 families residing in the city.
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 2,876 people, 1,287 households, and 792 families residing in the city. The population density was 421.8 inhabitants per square mile (162.9/km2). There were 1,450 housing units at an average density of 212.7 per square mile (82.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.97%White, 0.94%Native American, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.31% fromother races, and 1.74% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 1,287 households, out of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.1 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $19,302, and the median income for a family was $27,589. Males had a median income of $20,000 versus $16,790 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,375. About 10.2% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.
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The local economy is largely tourism-based. Numerous hotels and restaurants exist to serve travelers who come to visit the nearbyBlanchard Springs Caverns, inFifty-Six, Arkansas, TheOzark Folk Center State Park, andLoco Ropes Treetop Adventure Park. Many others seek the world-renowned trout fishing of theWhite River, or the excellent camping, hiking and mountain-biking that can be found in theOzark National Forest. A few live music and variety shows, such as the White River Hoedown, also entertain travelers by mixing contemporary country,gospel andbluegrass music with a bit of local humor. However, the majority of visitors to Mountain View come to attend one of the two majorfestivals held here every year, and to enjoy the impromptufolk music jam sessions that occur around the courthouse square.
The remainder of the local economy consists mostly of agriculture, specifically the farming of livestock, primarily cattle andchickens. Large-scale industrial activities in the area are overall nonexistent, excepting a few small manufacturing companies. The Stone County Iron Works, a nationally known company that produces iron furniture, fixtures and housewares, is headquartered in Mountain View. Recently, the city has seen expansion of its personal aircraft maintenance and repair industry.
Stone County, along with four of six neighboring Arkansas counties, is adry county.
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Localfestivals play an integral part in Mountain View's economy and culture, and the city is widely known throughout the country for its hospitality, uniqueness and relaxed pace of life. As such, thousands of people travel to Mountain View each year to attend one of these events and get a taste ofOzark Mountain culture. Often lodging must be secured a year in advance of the two major festivals. Some local estimates say that the city's population has grown to as much as 100,000 during past festivals, though this is likely an exaggeration. Average festival attendance tends to fall between 40,000 and 60,000.
In April, the city hosts theArkansas Folk Festival. A highlight of this festival is an old-fashioned "home-town" parade, which brings outschool bands, patrioticveterans groups, show horses, and decorated floats. Numerous folkcraft vendors and many impromptu performances of livefolk music are also part of the celebration.
During the spring, summer and fall, anytime the weather is nice, people from all over will gather in and around the courthouse square to play and listen to music. Bluegrass mostly, but a wide array of folk, swing, country and gospel can be heard performed by local townsfolk as well as pickers from hundreds of miles away. A few dedicated musicians play only the old-time tunes that have been passed down through generations.
During the fourth weekend of October, thousands attend theArkansas Bean Fest andGreat Championship Outhouse Races. Early Saturday morning, nearly one ton of pintobeans are cooked in large, antique iron kettles that are set up along the west side of thecourthouse square. Promptly at noon, a couple thousand pounds of pinto beans andcornbread are served to the gathered crowd. The festival continues with the famousOuthouse Race. Local teams (and anyone who else who wishes to haul in an entry) push outhouses built on wheels (similar to a go-kart) in a series of races. The overall champion receives the coveted Golden Toilet Seat Trophy. Handmadecrafts andfolk music play an integral part in this festival as well.
Other local festivals included the Mountain ViewBluegrass Festival, held in both mid-March and mid-November; An Old-FashionedFourth of July; and Mountains Music & Motorcycles in August. The town gets into the holiday spirit each year by lighting downtown buildings for Christmas open house events, and an annual Christmas tree lighting on the first Saturday in December.
TheOzark Folk Center plays host to several events throughout the year, including live concerts by well-known artist such as theOld Crow Medicine Show andDel McCoury, the Arkansas StateFiddle Championships, and workshops teachingbanjo,dulcimer, and other folkcrafts.
The city hosts a satellite campus ofOzarka College, a two-year institution whose main campus is located inMelbourne, Arkansas. The city is also home to the main campus of theMountain View School District, asecondary school that also maintains campuses inTimbo, Arkansas andFox, Arkansas. The school district boundaries are the same as those ofStone County, Arkansas.
Municipalities and communities ofStone County, Arkansas,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Other unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
