Arkansas City, Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| Town of Arkansas City | |
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 Location in Desha County and Arkansas | |
  Arkansas City Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:33°36′32″N91°12′18″W / 33.60889°N 91.20500°W /33.60889; -91.20500 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| County | Desha |
| Township | Franklin |
| Incorporated | September 12, 1873 (152 years ago) (1873-09-12) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| • Mayor | Carolyn Bissett |
| • Council | Town Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.49 sq mi (1.28 km2) |
| • Land | 0.49 sq mi (1.28 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 138 ft (42 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 376 |
• Estimate (2024) | 345 |
| • Density | 763.8/sq mi (294.89/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 71630 |
| Area code | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-01990 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403112[2] |
| Website | arkansascityar |
Arkansas City (/ˈɑːrkənsɔː/) is atown inDesha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 376 at the2020 census.[3] The town is thecounty seat of Desha County.[4]Arkansas City Commercial District, located at Desoto Avenue and Sprague Street, is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. With a population of 345 at the 2024 Census estimate, it is the least populous county seat in Arkansas.
Arkansas City, since 1879 the county seat of Desha County, wasincorporated by the Chicot County Court on September 12, 1873, being then, and for some years later, inChicot County. From 1879, it grew into a thrivingriverport for the next forty years. It had a natural harbor for steamboats and two railways, as well as fourteen saloons and three sawmills. An opera house was moved to Arkansas City in 1891. The building was also used as an unofficial "town hall"; at other times it became a ballroom, and citizens danced to music of groups fromMemphis, Tennessee.
Until theflood of 1927, Arkansas City was an important commercial and cultural center and one of the most important ports on theMississippi River. The flood devastated the settlement. More than 2,000 people had to be rescued. As a result, the riverport closed and made the railroads unnecessary.[5]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2), all land. It sits entirely in the Delta Lowlands sub-region of theArkansas Delta.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 193 | 51.33% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 162 | 43.09% |
| Native American | 1 | 0.27% |
| Other/Mixed | 13 | 3.46% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 7 | 1.86% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 376 people, 174 households, and 140 families residing in the city.
As of thecensus[7] of 2000, there were 589 people, 231 households, and 161 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,232.2 inhabitants per square mile (475.8/km2). There were 279 housing units at an average density of 583.7 per square mile (225.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 55.01%White, 43.80%Black or African American, and 1.19% from two or more races. 3.23% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 231 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% weremarried couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $22,014, and the median income for a family was $27,500. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $17,188 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $14,523. About 25.3% of families and 31.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 41.6% of those under age 18 and 37.6% of those age 65 or over.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 503 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,091 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,485 | 36.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,482 | −0.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,432 | −3.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,446 | 1.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,018 | −29.6% | |
| 1960 | 783 | −23.1% | |
| 1970 | 615 | −21.5% | |
| 1980 | 668 | 8.6% | |
| 1990 | 523 | −21.7% | |
| 2000 | 589 | 12.6% | |
| 2010 | 366 | −37.9% | |
| 2020 | 376 | 2.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 345 | −8.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] | |||
Arkansas City is served by theMcGehee School District.[9]
Previously theArkansas City School District served Arkansas City. The district had two schools, Arkansas City Elementary School and Arkansas City High School.[10] In 2004 theArkansas Legislature approved a law that forced school districts with fewer than 350 students apiece to consolidate with other districts.[11][12] On July 1, 2004, the Arkansas City district merged into the McGehee district.[13] After the acquisition, the McGehee district continued to operate the Arkansas City campus as a K-6 school.[14] By October 2005 the district no longer operated the Arkansas City facility.[15]
Municipalities and communities ofDesha County, Arkansas,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
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| Other unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Definitions from WiktionaryMedia from Commons| International | |
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| National | |
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