Central Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area | |
   From top to bottom: Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway | |
 | |
| Coordinates:34°44′10″N92°19′52″W / 34.73611°N 92.33111°W /34.73611; -92.33111 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| Principal cities | Little Rock North Little Rock Conway |
| Area | |
| • Urban | 258.3 sq mi (669 km2) |
| • MSA | 4,085.18 sq mi (10,580.6 km2) |
| • CSA | 7,150.31 sq mi (18,519.2 km2) |
| Population (2022) | |
| • Urban | 461,864 (US:89th) |
| • MSA | 748,031 (US:81st) |
| • CSA | 912,604 (US:62nd) |
| GDP | |
| • MSA | $47.322 billion (2022) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 501 &870 |
| Part ofa series on |
| Regions of Arkansas |
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Geographic Regions |
Administrative divisions |
Central Arkansas, also known as theLittle Rock metro, designated by theUnited States Office of Management and Budget as theLittle Rock-North Little Rock-Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area, is the most populous metro area in theU.S. state ofArkansas. With an estimated 2020 population of 748,031, it is the most populated area in Arkansas. Located at the convergence of Arkansas's other geographic regions, the region's central location make Central Arkansas an important population, economic, education, and political center in Arkansas andthe South. Little Rock is the state's capital and largest city, and the city is also home to twoFortune 500 companies,Arkansas Children's Hospital, andUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
The site known as "little rock" along the Arkansas River was found by explorerBernard de la Harpe in 1722.[2] The territorial capitol had been located atArkansas Post inSoutheast Arkansas since 1819, but the site had proven unsuitable as a settlement due to frequent flooding of the Arkansas River. Over the years, the "little rock" was known as a waypoint along the river, but remained unsettled. A land speculator fromSt. Louis, Missouri who had acquired many acres around the "little rock" began pressuring theArkansas territorial legislature in February 1820 to move the capital to the site, but the representatives could not decide between Little Rock orCadron (nowConway), which was the preferred site ofTerritorial GovernorJames Miller. The issue was tabled until October 1820, by which time most of the legislators and other influential men had purchased lots around Little Rock.[3] The legislature moved the capital to Little Rock, where it has remained ever since.
Central Arkansas is located in theSouthern United States (commonly known as the South in the US), and within a subregion commonly known as theDeep South, although it is influenced byUpper South culture. The South is a distinct cultural region reliant upon aplantation economy in the 18th and 19th century, until the secession of theConfederate States of America and theCivil War.
The region is the point of convergence for five other Arkansas regions: theOzarks to the north, theArkansas River Valley & theOuachita Mountains to the west, theArkansas Delta to the east, andPiney Woods to the southwest.
TheArkansas River crosses the region, and serves as the dividing line between Little Rock and North Little Rock. The Arkansas is an important geographic feature in Central Arkansas, requiring long bridge spans but allowing barge traffic to the Port of Little Rock and points upriver.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 7,411 | — | |
| 1850 | 10,538 | 42.2% | |
| 1860 | 20,804 | 97.4% | |
| 1870 | 42,605 | 104.8% | |
| 1880 | 76,558 | 79.7% | |
| 1890 | 109,569 | 43.1% | |
| 1900 | 134,590 | 22.8% | |
| 1910 | 173,926 | 29.2% | |
| 1920 | 207,941 | 19.6% | |
| 1930 | 233,056 | 12.1% | |
| 1940 | 249,799 | 7.2% | |
| 1950 | 288,070 | 15.3% | |
| 1960 | 334,011 | 15.9% | |
| 1970 | 396,462 | 18.7% | |
| 1980 | 494,758 | 24.8% | |
| 1990 | 535,034 | 8.1% | |
| 2000 | 610,518 | 14.1% | |
| 2010 | 699,757 | 14.6% | |
| 2020 | 748,031 | 6.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[4] 1790–1960[5] 1900–1990[6] 1990–2000[7] | |||
Central Arkansas includes both the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway MSA, though the broader Little Rock CSA is also considered Central Arkansas. The MSA is defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget asFaulkner,Grant,Lonoke,Perry,Pulaski andSaline counties. The CSA definition adds thePine Bluff metropolitan area addingCleveland,Jefferson, andLincoln counties, and theSearcy Micropolitan Area, which addsWhite County, and theHot Springs metropolitan area, which addsGarland County.
It is the core of the broaderLittle Rock-North Little Rock Combined Statistical Area (CSA). Its economic, cultural, and demographic center is Little Rock, Arkansas's capital and largest city. The Little Rock Combined Statistical area spans ten counties and had an estimated population of 905,847 in 2016.[8]
Prior to 2002, the area consisted of four core counties:Pulaski,Faulkner,Saline andLonoke. The area was later expanded to include adjoiningPerry County to the west, andGrant County to the south. The city ofConway was designated as a third principal city for the MSA by 2007.
| County Ref. | Population | Land mi2 | Land km2 | Pop. /mi2 | Pop. /km2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulaski[9] | 393,250 | 759.76 | 1,967.77 | 503.8 | 194.52 |
| Faulkner[10] | 122,227 | 647.88 | 1,678.00 | 174.8 | 67.49 |
| Saline[11] | 118,703 | 723.60 | 1,874.12 | 148.0 | 57.14 |
| Lonoke[12] | 72,228 | 770.73 | 1,996.18 | 88.7 | 34.25 |
| Grant[13] | 18,082 | 631.81 | 1,636.38 | 28.3 | 10.93 |
| Perry[14] | 10,132 | 551.40 | 1,428.12 | 18.9 | 7.30 |
| Central Arkansas | 734,622 | 4,085.18 | 10,580.57 | 179.8 | 69.42 |
| Jefferson[15] | 70,016 | 870.75 | 2,255.23 | 88.9 | 34.32 |
| Lincoln[15] | 13,705 | 561.52 | 1,454.33 | 25.2 | 9.73 |
| Cleveland[15] | 8,241 | 597.78 | 1,548.24 | 14.5 | 5.60 |
| Pine Bluff MSA | 91,962 | 2,030.05 | 5,257.81 | 45.3 | 17.49 |
| Searcy μSA[16] | 79,263 | 1,035.08 | 2,680.84 | 74.5 | 28.76 |
| CSA | 905,847 | 7,150.31 | 18,519.22 | 126.7 | 48.92 |
| Arkansas | 2,988,248 | 52,035.48 | 134,771.27 | 56.0 | 21.62 |
As of thecensus[17] of 2000, there were 610,518 people, 241,094 households, and 165,405 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 75.40%White, 21.02%African American, 0.44%Native American, 0.96%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.87% fromother races, and 1.27% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 2.07% of the population.
The median income for a household in the MSA was $37,912, and the median income for a family was $44,572. Males had a median income of $31,670 versus $23,354 for females. Theper capita income for the MSA was $18,305.
As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 785,024 people, 304,335 households, and 210,966 families residing within the CSA. The racial makeup of the CSA was 73.97%White, 22.73%African American, 0.42%Native American, 0.85%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.80% fromother races, and 1.20% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.93% of the population.
The median income for a household in the CSA was $35,301, and the median income for a family was $41,804. Males had a median income of $31,192 versus $22,347 for females. Theper capita income for the CSA was $16,898.
Communities are categorized based on their populations in the 2020 U.S. Census.
| Year | Metropolitan Statistical Area | Combined Statistical Area |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Census | 748,031 | 912,604 |
| 2014 est. | 729,135 | 902,443 |
| 2005 est. | 645,706 | 820,846 |
| 2000 Census | 610,518 | 785,024 |
The Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, the oldest association in Arkansas, has produced the following list of largest employers in Central Arkansas.
| Employer | Number of employees |
|---|---|
| State of Arkansas | 32,200 |
| Local government | 28,800 |
| Federal government | 9,200 |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | 8,500 |
| Baptist Health | 7,000 |
| Little Rock Air Force Base | 4,500 |
| Acxiom | 4,380 |
| Little Rock School District | 3,500 |
| Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System | 3,500 |
| Entergy Arkansas | 2,740 |
| Pulaski County Special School District | 2,700 |
| AT&T | 2,600 |
| CHI St. Vincent Health System | 2,600 |
| Arkansas Children’s Hospital | 2,470 |
| Dillard's | 2,400 |
| Verizon Wireless | 2,000 |
| Union Pacific Railroad | 2,000 |
| Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield | 1,800 |
| Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. | 2,000 |
| CenterPoint Energy | 1,800 |
Source:Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
| School | Enrollment | Location | Type | Nickname | Athletic Affiliation (Conference) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Arkansas at Little Rock | 11,848 | Little Rock | Public State University | Trojans | NCAA Division I (OVC) Non-Football |
 University of Central Arkansas | 11,487 | Conway | Public State University | Bears and Sugar Bears | NCAA Division IFCS (ASUN) |
 Hendrix College | 1,348 | Conway | Private liberal arts college | Warriors | NCAA Division III (SAA) |
The Central Arkansas Library System, also known as CALS provides library services to residents. CALS also offers a non-resident option for those who live outside Pulaski or Perry County. For residents that do not pay taxes in this area, CALS offers a card at $72 per year, which can be paid monthly, quarterly, or yearly. CALS offers multiple different kinds of library cards, from individual to group and corporate cards. Spanning over 15 libraries, the Central Arkansas Library system offers a great deal of services. From regular book checkouts, CDs, DVDs and digital items, their borrowing materials are plentiful. They also offer a Library of Things, which includes fishing gear, tools, a seed library, toys, hotspots, telescopes, and birdwatching kits. All 15 library locations offer additional products for use inside of the library, like laptops, desktop computers, DVD players, Chromebooks, and more. In addition to the materials owned by the system and lent out, they also participate in an Interlibrary Loan program through the MOBIUS linking libraries system.
Patrons of the library can place these materials on hold for pickup at any of the CALS locations, and must pick items up within 7 days of the arrival. If the item is not picked up, there will be a $1 fee placed for each item not picked up on the library account. Additionally, fines may be added to patron accounts based on overdue or lost materials. Most items incur a 10 cent fine for each day they are overdue. If a library card account owes more than $100, their library privileges will be suspended until their record has been cleared.
Items may be returned to any CALS location, as a interlibrary system delivers materials to their home libraries. Many of the CALS locations have meeting rooms, some available for free with a library card and others require a small fee. Additionally, some libraries have notaries on staff, which are available to patrons for free. Some libraries offer book club kits, kits with 10 copies of one book and a discussion guide for book club members to utilize. For those with a temporary or permanent disability, CALS offers a Books-By-Mail service.
On top of the 15 library locations, CALS also owns and operates other buildings and events.
Rock It! Lab at 120 River Market Ave Little Rock, AR 72201 is a training building created for entrepreneurs to start their businesses. This lab was created in partnership with Advancing Black Entrepreneurship (ABE) and it provides varied services to the public, such as tech assistance, promotional training, business education, and mentorship.
Ron Robinson Theater at 100 River Market Ave, Little Rock, AR. 72201 is a 315-seat theater located nearby the Main Library in Downtown Little Rock. This theater houses all sorts of events, from speakers to movies to private reservations and more. Notable events include theRock City Film Festival (formerly known as theMade in Arkansas Film Festival) which has been held at the Robinson Theater for 7 years. Similarly to other CALS meeting spaces, the Ron Robinson Theater can be reserved by patrons for a fee, based on availability due to the events the library maintains in the space.
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TheClinton National Airport in Little Rock is the largest commercial airport in the state, with more than 100 flights arriving or departing each day and nonstop jet service to eighteen cities.[21]North Little Rock Municipal Airport, located across the Arkansas River, is designated as ageneral aviationreliever airport for Clinton National by theFederal Aviation Administration (FAA).[22] Central Arkansas also has several smaller municipally owned general aviation airports:Conway Airport at Cantrell Field in Conway,Saline County Regional Airport in Benton,Grider Field in Pine Bluff.
The city of Little Rock is home to theArkansas Travelers.[23] The Travelers are theAAMinor League Baseball affiliate of theSeattle Mariners.[24] They compete in theTexas League and play their home games atDickey–Stephens Park.
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