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Kibler, Arkansas

Kibler is a city in Crawford County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 Census the population was 961.

Geography
Kibler is located in southern Crawford County 4 mi south of Alma and 6 mi east of Van Buren.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Kibler has a total area of 11.6 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 969 people, 343 households, and 278 families residing in the city. The population density was 214.6 PD/sqmi. There were 368 housing units at an average density of 81.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.25% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 1.44% Native American, 1.86% Asian, 0.62% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 343 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. 16.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,889, and the median income for a family was $36,761. Males had a median income of $27,955 versus $19,583 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,763. About 11.3% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 21.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Kibler, Arkansas


text:
Mountainburg, Arkansas

Mountainburg is a town in Crawford County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 631.

Mountainburg was laid out in 1883 when the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway was extended to that point.

Geography
Mountainburg is located along U.S. Route 71, and thrived when this road was the main route in northwest Arkansas. Since the construction of Interstate 540 (now Interstate 49) to the west, it has been a sleepier community. The city park in downtown Mountainburg has since 1980 hosted two large dinosaur models.

Lake Fort Smith State Park, which is situated on the western side of the 1400 acre Lake Fort Smith, is located 8 mi north of Mountainburg.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.9 km2, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 528 people, 252 households, and 136 families residing in the city.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 682 people in 271 households, including 179 families, in the city. The population density was 478.1 PD/sqmi. There were 298 housing units at an average density of 208.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.45% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 3.08% Native American, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 271 households 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 30.6% of households were one person and 16.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.15.

The age distribution was 29.2% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median household income was $25,446 and the median family income was $33,295. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $21,806 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,445. About 12.0% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 20.1% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Jim Clark - bank robber and Depression-era outlaw

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Mountainburg has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Mountainburg, Arkansas


text:
Mulberry, Arkansas

Mulberry is a city in Crawford County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,655 as of the 2010 Census, an increase of % from 1,627 in 2000.

Geography
According to the 2010 Census, Mulberry is located at 35.50852°N, -94.07475°W (35.508517, -94.074754). It has a total area of 7.834 sqmi, of which 7.637 sqmi is land and 0.197 sqmi is water (%).

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,543 people, 718 households, and 446 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 1,627 people, 669 households, and 472 families residing in the city. The population density was 215.5 PD/sqmi. There were 743 housing units at an average density of 98.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.19% White, 0.06% Black or African American, 2.64% Native American, 0.25% Asian, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 669 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,197, and the median income for a family was $32,321. Males had a median income of $28,281 versus $17,734 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,204. About 14.9% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 19.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education for elementary and secondary students is provided by the Mulberry–Pleasant View Bi-County School District, which leads to graduation from Mulberry High School.

title: Mulberry, Arkansas


text:
Rudy, Arkansas

Rudy is a town in Crawford County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 Census the population was 130. The population was 72 at the 2000 census.

History
Rudy was platted when the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway was extended to that point. A post office called Rudy has been in operation since 1883.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.16 sqkm, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census there were 130 people, 58 housing units, and 59 families residing in the town. The population density was 463.3/km$2$ (1,251.4/mi2). There were 30 housing units at an average density of 193.1/km$2$ (521.4/mi2). The racial makeup of the town was 90% White and 0.7% Native American. 1.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race, and 2.3% were Asian.

As of the 2010 census, there were 58 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.5% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 12.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $21,875, and the median income for a family was $26,250. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $13,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,842. There were 20.0% of families and 19.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including 16.7% of under eighteens and 25.0% of those over 64.

title: Rudy, Arkansas


text:
Van Buren, Arkansas

Van Buren is the second-largest city in the Fort Smith, Arkansas–Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area and the county seat of Crawford County, Arkansas, United States. The city is located directly northeast of Fort Smith at the Interstate 40 – Interstate 540 junction. The city was incorporated in 1845 and as of the 2020 census had a population of 23,218, ranking it as the state's 21st largest city. According to 2023 population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Van Buren’s population is 24,138. With a 4% growth rate from 2020 to 2023, Van Buren is Arkansas’s eighth-fastest growing city.

Early history
The area was settled by David Boyd and Thomas Martin in 1818. After Arkansas became a territory in 1819, Daniel and Thomas Phillips constructed a lumber yard in the community to serve as a fuel depot for traffic along the Arkansas River. In 1831, a post office was constructed for the community, at the time known as Phillips Landing. This post office was named after newly appointed Secretary of State and future President Martin Van Buren.

John Drennen, along with his partner David Thompson, purchased the area for US$11,000. They moved their business of supplying firewood for steamboats to this new location on higher ground. The courthouse was constructed on a lot of land donated by Drennen on the condition that Van Buren become the county seat. The Drennen Reserve is one of the town's existing historical sites from the 1830s.

Van Buren was incorporated on January 4, 1845.

American Civil War
On December 28, 1862, Union and Confederate forces clashed in and around Van Buren, resulting in a defeat for the Confederates, led by Major General T. C. Hindman, driving them south across the river with minimal casualties. Federal forces captured 100 prisoners, as stated in an official report by Major General Samuel R. Curtis.

2019 flood
In late May to early June 2019, the Arkansas River flooded near Van Buren, cresting at nearly 41 ft, which is 21 ft above the flood stage. Significant rainfall in the South-central United States forced U.S. Army Corps of Engineers workers to release large amounts of water to ease flooding upstream. The river approached 41 ft at the Van Buren gauge over the course of several days, and the flooding damaged 25 homes in the Crawford County area. While one Crawford County levee sustained damage, no levee breaches occurred in Van Buren.

1996 tornado
On April 21, 1996, at 11:12 p.m., an F3 tornado hit the Fort Smith/Van Buren area causing extensive damage. The tornado, which spawned in Oklahoma and crossed into west Fort Smith near the confluence of the Arkansas and Poteau rivers, killed two, injured 89 and caused $300 million in damage. The fatalities were small children from Fort Smith. At its worst, the tornado was one half mile across. After leaving the downtown area of Fort Smith, it traveled northeast through industrial and residential sections of north Fort Smith, then crossed the Arkansas River again into the Mount Vista area on the west side of Van Buren and damaged a highly residential area where no fatalities occurred, although this area was very populated at the time. The total distance it traveled on the ground was 7 mi. In total, there were around 1,800 homes damaged, the majority of which were in Van Buren.

Physical geography
Van Buren is located in the southwest corner of Crawford County with the Arkansas–Oklahoma state line just 2 mi to the west. The Arkansas River forms the southern boundary of the city, separating it from Fort Smith of Sebastian County. Lee Creek flows through the western side of the city into the Arkansas River. According to the United States Census Bureau, Van Buren has a total area of 42.7 km2, of which 40.0 km2 is land and 2.7 km2, or 6.34%, is water.

Climate
Van Buren lies within a humid subtropical climate area. The city also lies on the eastern edge of the region known as Tornado Alley. Average temperatures range from 36°F in January, to as high an average of 81 °F in July with temperatures reaching the high 90s and low 100s in August. The average annual temperature is approximately 60 °F. Average precipitation is about 41 total inches, with only six inches being snow.

July and August are the hottest months of the year, with an average high of 93 °F and an average low of 71.5 °F. Temperatures above 100 °F are not uncommon, occurring on average eleven times a year. December and January are the coldest months with an average high of 50.5 °F and an average low of 30 °F. Highs below 32 °F occur on average five times a year, with 0.2 nights per year dropping below 0 °F. The city's highest temperature was 113 °F, recorded in 1936. The lowest temperature recorded was -15 °F, in 1899.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 23,218 people, 8,990 households, and 6,011 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,986 people, 6,947 households, and 5,182 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,260.7 PD/sqmi. There were 7,427 housing units at an average density of 493.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.37% White, 1.64% Black or African American, 1.96% Native American, 2.82% Asian, 3.17% from other races, and 3.03% from two or more races. 6.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,947 households, of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were classified as non-families by the United States Census Bureau. Of 6,947 households, 362 were unmarried partner households: 304 heterosexual, 12 same-sex male, and 46 same-sex female households. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,608, and the median income for a family was $37,198. Males had a median income of $28,798 versus $21,201 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,948. About 13.5% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy and Infrastructure
Van Buren is home to many large corporations within the state and employs a great deal of the city's population within its Port and Industrial Park district. Manufacturing, food processing, and medicine are sustaining industries in Van Buren. Major employers include poultry processor Simmons Foods, the Van Buren School District, USA Truck, and Baptist Health.

Arts and architecture
Van Buren is home of the King Opera House, a Victorian-style performance hall from the late 19th century, part of the old downtown historic area. At the south end of the historical downtown is the Crawford County courthouse, the oldest functioning courthouse west of the Mississippi River. To the north is the Old Frisco Station which was originally a station on the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, pictured at the top of this page.

Media
As part of the primary Fort Smith metropolitan area, many Fort Smith based television stations including KHBS and KFSM, whose radio mast is built in Van Buren, provide local news and weather. The city's major newspaper is the Van Buren Press Argus-Courier; however many people also read Fort Smith's Southwest Times Record, as well as the Northwest Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Transportation
Van Buren's location at the junction of Interstate 40, Interstate 540, and the Arkansas/Oklahoma border yields surprisingly large tourism and hospitality industries. The city is also located at the junction of several state and U.S. highways including Arkansas Highway 59, US 64, and US 71. A private airport, Twin Cities Airport (code 39AR), was operational to the southeast of the city, but has been closed for many years. Modern railroads in the city include the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad. Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines.

Education
The Van Buren School District is the largest school district in Crawford County, consisting of six elementary schools (grades K-5), two middle schools (grades 6–8), one ninth grade academy (grade 9) and one high school (grades 10–12). The Van Buren High School is in the 5A/6A-West Division of Arkansas high school sports.

Sites of interest

 * Historic Main Street, used for scenes in the film The Blue and the Gray as well as scenes in the film Frank & Jesse
 * King Opera House, performance hall and historic landmark
 * The Old Frisco Station-Victorian style railroad station; used for a scene in the film Biloxi Blues. It was part of the now defunct St. Louis–San Francisco Railway also known as the Frisco.

Notable people

 * Cyrus Adler, Jewish religious leader and scholar
 * Bob Burns, comedian and actor
 * Ryan Rose, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Van Buren
 * Gary Deffenbaugh, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Van Buren
 * John Deweese, U.S. representative from North Carolina
 * Charlene Fite, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Van Buren
 * Matt Jones, NFL player
 * Shay Mooney, singer songwriter from duo Dan + Shay

title: Van Buren, Arkansas


text:
Anthonyville, Arkansas

Anthonyville is a town in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 161 at the 2010 census, down from 250 in 2000.

Geography
Anthonyville is located in southern Crittenden County. Arkansas Highway 147 forms the eastern boundary of the town and leads north 9 mi to Interstate 40, 15 mi west of Memphis, Tennessee. Highway 147 continues south 7 mi to the Horseshoe Lake area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Anthonyville has a total area of 0.3 sqkm, all land.

2020 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 250 people, 82 households, and 52 families residing in the town. The population density was 877.5 /km2. There were 87 housing units at an average density of 305.4 /km2. The racial makeup of the town was 2.80% White, 96.40% Black or African American, 0.80% from other races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 82 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.1% were married couples living together, 23.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 4.02.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 38.4% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 15.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $32,344. Males had a median income of $25,357 versus $18,636 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,825. About 28.4% of families and 32.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.2% of those under the age of eighteen and 48.7% of those 65 or over.

Education
Residents are zoned to schools in the West Memphis School District, which operates Academies of West Memphis (formerly West Memphis High School).

title: Anthonyville, Arkansas


text:
Crawfordsville, Arkansas

Crawfordsville, historically Crawfordville, is a town in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 479 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Crawfordsville is located near the center of Crittenden County. According to the United States Census Bureau, Crawfordsville has a total area of 1.5 sqkm, all land.

Ecologically, Crawfordsville is located within the Northern Backswamps ecoregion within the larger Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The Northern Backswamps are a network of low-lying overflow areas and floodplains historically dominated by bald cypress, water tupelo, overcup oak, water hickory, and Nuttall oak forest subject to year-round or seasonal inundation. The Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, which preserves some of the year-round flooded bald cypress forest typical of this ecoregion prior to development for row agriculture lies northeast of Crawfordsville.

U.S. Route 64 passes just north of the town, leading east 8 mi to Marion and 19 mi to Memphis, Tennessee, and west 9 mi to Earle.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 514 people, 202 households, and 142 families residing in the town. The population density was 451.0 /km2. There were 222 housing units at an average density of 194.8 /km2. The racial makeup of the town was 49.81% White, 49.42% Black or African American, 0.19% Asian, and 0.58% from two or more races. 1.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 202 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 22.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,518, and the median income for a family was $31,667. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $19,205 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,176. About 19.4% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Marion School District, including Marion High School, serves Crawfordsville. On July 1, 2004, the Crawfordsville School District consolidated into the Marion School District.

Notable people

 * Fred Smith, member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
 * James C. Taylor, Illinois state legislator; born in Crawfordsville
 * Johnnie Taylor, singer; born in Crawfordsville

title: Crawfordsville, Arkansas


text:
Earle, Arkansas

Earle is a city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 1,831.

Geography
Earle is located in western Crittenden County. U.S. Route 64 passes through the northern part of the city, bypassing the downtown area. US 64 leads west 19 mi to Wynne and 28 mi east to Memphis, Tennessee.

Earle has a total area of 8.4 km2, all land.

Early history
The city of Earle originally started as two neighboring communities started in the 1860s, Earle and Norvell. Norvell was originally settled in July 1872 by local doctor James Throgmorton. Earle was a train stop established in the late 1880s on land owned by Josiah Francis Earle, a former Confederate soldier and Klansman. The train stop was established after his death in 1884.

Reconstruction period
In 1888, a branch of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain, & Southern Railway was built south of Earle. The line still exists as a part of the Union Pacific Railroad. The town had two lumber company-owned railroads connect to it in the early 1900s, the Crittenden Railroad and the Tyronza Lumber Company Railroad.

Early 20th century
Originally, the Earle post office was located within Norvell. The move caused some controversy in the two communities, and in 1904 an altercation took place between the former and then current men who owned the land the post office sat on. John Watt, who formally controlled the post office, shot the current owner, W.M. Brown. Watt was later acquitted of the Brown's murder.

From its formal incorporation in 1905 to the 1940s, Earle was one of the largest towns in Crittenden County. Referred to by locals as the "Pearl of the St. Francis," for many years the town was a center of industry and an important transportation hub for the Arkansas Delta.

One of the more notable residents of Earle was George Berry Washington. Born into slavery in 1864, Washington established a thriving business as a landlord, and through this enterprise provided a means of income for hundreds of Black Arkansans. In 1928, the widow and family of local figure George Berry Washington had a monument, known as "the Angel in the Field", built to honor Washington's life.

In 1918, an African-American man named Elton Mitchell was eviscerated with a knife and hanged from a tree after he refused to work for a white landowner for free.

Modern era
A merger of Norvell and Earle was proposed as early as 1913. In 1978, the two towns were formally merged.

2008 tornado
On May 2, 2008, WMC-TV reported that a tornado which was reported to be large and very dangerous affected the Earle area causing major damage in parts of the town and some injuries. There were reports of people missing or unaccounted for. Homes were reportedly destroyed, while businesses and the high school were damaged. The tornado was later confirmed on the same day as an EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale with winds near 150 to 160 mph.

The 2022 Earle mayoral election resulted in a historic victory for Jaylen Smith, who at 18 years old became the youngest Black person to be elected mayor in any U.S. city.

2000 census
In the 2000 census, there were 3,036 people, 1,074 households, and 727 families living in the city. The population density was 932.9 PD/sqmi . There were 1,247 housing units at an average density of 383.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 23.45% White, 75.23% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,074 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.0% were married couples living together, 27.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.54.

36.6% of people were under the age of 18. 9.4% were aged from 18 to 24. 24.0% were aged from 25 to 44. 17.0% were aged from 45 to 64. 13.0% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,344. The median income for a family was $22,775. Males had a median income of $26,510 versus $18,011 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,260. About 40.2% of families and 45.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 58.7% of those under age 18 and 36.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education for early childhood, elementary and secondary school students is primarily provided by the Earle School District, which leads to graduation from Earle High School. The Old Earle High School with its Mission/Spanish Revival style served as the city's high school from 1919 to 1978. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable people

 * Charles T. Bernard (1927 – 2015), businessman and Republican politician
 * Carroll Cloar (1913 – 1993), surrealist painter and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient.
 * Shakey Jake Harris (1921 – 1990), Chicago blues singer, harmonicist and songwriter
 * Jaylen Smith (born 2004), Mayor of Earle, youngest Black Mayor in the US and one of the youngest US mayors of any race.
 * George Berry Washington (1864 – 1928), a former slave who became one of Crittenden County's largest landowners
 * Wilson Douglas Watson (1922 – 1994), recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions on Iwo Jima

title: Earle, Arkansas


text:
Edmondson, Arkansas

Edmondson is a town in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 427 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Edmondson is located in south-central Crittenden County and is 4 mi south of Interstate 40, which then leads 6 mi east to West Memphis and 14 mi east to downtown Memphis, Tennessee.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Edmondson has a total area of 8.4 sqkm, all land.

2020 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 513 people, 174 households, and 140 families residing in the town. The population density was 60.9 /km2. There were 198 housing units at an average density of 23.5 /km2. The racial makeup of the town was 27.49% White, 71.15% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.19% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 174 households, out of which 42.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 26.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.0% were non-families. 15.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 35.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,056, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $29,000 versus $17,917 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,143. About 21.5% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.9% of those under age 18 and 22.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Edmondson is served by the West Memphis School District, which operates Academies of West Memphis (formerly West Memphis High School).

title: Edmondson, Arkansas


text:
Gilmore, Arkansas

Gilmore is a city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 176.

Geography
Gilmore is located in northern Crittenden County and is bordered to the south by the city of Turrell. Interstate 555 (as well as U.S. Routes 61 and 63) pass through the west part of Gilmore, leading northwest 44 mi to Jonesboro and south 20 mi via Interstate 55 to West Memphis. According to the United States Census Bureau, Gilmore has a total area of 0.6 sqkm, all land.

Ecologically, Gilmore is located within the Northern Backswamps ecoregion within the larger Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The Northern Backswamps are a network of low-lying overflow areas and floodplains historically dominated by bald cypress, water tupelo, overcup oak, water hickory, and Nuttall oak forest subject to year-round or seasonal inundation. The Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, which preserves some of the year-round flooded bald cypress forest typical of this ecoregion prior to development for row agriculture lies southeast of Gilmore.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 292 people, 100 households, and 78 families residing in the town. The population density was 512.5 /km2. There were 114 housing units at an average density of 200.1 /km2. The racial makeup of the town was 19.86% White, 79.11% Black or African American, 0.68% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races.

There were 100 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 31.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the town the population was spread out, with 35.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,625, and the median income for a family was $22,031. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $18,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,867. About 29.1% of families and 38.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 52.2% of those under the age of eighteen and 44.8% of those 65 or over.

Education
Gilmore is in the Marion School District. Its comprehensive high school is Marion High School.

Gilmore was formerly in the Turrell School District. On July 1, 2010, the former Turrell district consolidated with the Marion School District, thus closing the former Turrell High School.

title: Gilmore, Arkansas


text:
Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas

Horseshoe Lake is a town in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 264 at the 2020 census.

The town is named after Horseshoe Lake, an oxbow lake at the eastern tip of which the town is located.

Geography
Horseshoe Lake is located in southern Crittenden County. The Mississippi River is 2 mi to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.35 sqkm, all land.

The elevation of Horseshoe Lake is 203 ft above sea level.

The Horseshoe Lake
The town of Horseshoe Lake is situated in the Mississippi River floodplain at the eastern tip of a horseshoe-shaped water body named Horseshoe Lake, which the town is named after. The Lake is a summer recreation spot for residents of nearby Memphis offering boating, swimming, and fishing.

Changes in the course of the Mississippi River resulted in the shape of the lake. The lake is a former meander in the Mississippi River that was cut off, shortening the river, and is no longer connected to the river.

Horseshoe shaped lakes or oxbow lakes are not unusual in the flat plains of the lower Mississippi and other rivers.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 321 people, 156 households, and 89 families in the town. The population density was 885.3/km$2$ (2,264.4/mi2). There were 241 housing units at an average density of 664.6/km$2$ (1,700.1/mi2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.39% White, 5.30% Black or African American, 0.31% from other races. 0.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 156 households 18.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 35.9% of households were one person and 16.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.65.

The age distribution was 17.4% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 24.9% 65 or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median household income was $30,083 and the median family income was $36,250. Males had a median income of $29,583 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,517. About 4.9% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 20.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Residents are zoned to schools in the West Memphis School District, which operates Academies of West Memphis (formerly West Memphis High School). The community was previously in the Hughes School District, which operated Hughes High School.

On April 9, 2015, due to the low number of students in the Hughes district, the Arkansas Board of Education voted to consolidate the Hughes district into the West Memphis district 7-1.

title: Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas


text:
Jennette, Arkansas

Jennette is a town in Crittenden and St. Francis counties, Arkansas, United States. The population was 118 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Jennette is located in western Crittenden County. It occupies a rural area north of Interstate 40 that is 21 mi west of downtown Memphis.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.4 sqkm, of which 0.02 sqkm, or 0.36%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 118 people, 45 households, and 16 families residing in the town.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 115 people living in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 93.9% Black and 6.1% White.

As of the census of 2000, there were 124 people, 46 households, and 31 families living in the town. The population density was 22.0 /km2. There were 49 housing units at an average density of 8.7 /km2. The racial makeup of the town was 12.10% White and 87.90% Black or African American.

There were 46 households, out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 19.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $22,500, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $27,083 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $7,571. There were 20.7% of families and 45.3% of the population living below the poverty line, including 71.9% of under eighteens and 28.6% of those over 64.

Education
School districts with portions of Jennette include the Earle School District, the Marion School District, and the West Memphis School District. The portion in St. Francis County was formerly served by the Hughes School District; On April 9, 2015, due to the low number of students in the Hughes district, the Arkansas Board of Education voted to consolidate the Hughes district into the West Memphis district 7–1.

The respective high schools of the districts are Earle High School, Marion High School, and Academies of West Memphis (formerly West Memphis High School). The Hughes district formerly operated Hughes High School.

title: Jennette, Arkansas


text:
Jericho, Arkansas

Jericho is a town in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 119 at the 2010 census, down from 184 in 2000.

Geography
Jericho is located in northern Crittenden County at 35.28655°N, -90.2275°W. It lies along Arkansas Highway 77, 10 mi north of West Memphis.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.2 sqkm, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 184 people, 66 households, and 46 families residing in the town. The population density was 151.2 /km2. There were 73 housing units at an average density of 60.0 /km2. The racial makeup of the town was 4.35% White, 92.93% Black or African American, 0.54% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races. 2.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 66 households, out of which 19.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 27.3% 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 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.50.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,625, and the median income for a family was $28,214. Males had a median income of $22,250 versus $13,125 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,577. About 25.0% of families and 25.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under the age of eighteen and 56.8% of those 65 or over.

Education
Jericho is in the Marion School District. Its comprehensive high school is Marion High School.

title: Jericho, Arkansas


text:
Marion, Arkansas

Marion is a city in and the county seat of Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 12,345 at the 2010 census, a 38.7% increase since 2000. The city is part of the Memphis metropolitan area. It is the second largest city in Crittenden County, behind West Memphis.

Early history
Although Marion was incorporated in 1896, the community predates that significantly. The site of Marion was part of Louisiana (New Spain) from 1764 to 1803, when it became Louisiana (New France). Some of the oldest land titles in the area are from Spanish land grants from a time prior to the Louisiana Purchase. After the Louisiana Purchase the area was part of the Arkansas Territory. During the 1830s the Trail of Tears (the forced removal of Native Americans from Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi) passed through the area.

In 1837, two commissioners had been appointed by Crittenden county court to select a site for a new county seat. County residents Marion Tolbert and his wife, Temperance gave a deed to the commissioners "for the county of Crittenden for county purposes" on June 25, 1837. A town was laid out and named Marion in honor the man who gave the land for the site. The town of Marion was officially made the county seat of Crittenden County, Arkansas.

Soon after the county seat was moved from its first location of Greenock on the Mississippi River to Marion, a wooden frame building was constructed in the town for holding court. At an unknown point, the building was destroyed by a tornado. In the late 1850s, the first railroad in the state of Arkansas, the Memphis & Little Rock Railroad, laid tracks 5.5 miles south of the town.

American Civil War and after
During the American Civil War the steamboat Sultana was destroyed in an explosion on April 27, 1865, as it was transporting released Union POWs near Mound City, just east of Marion. It is estimated that 1,500 soldiers and crew were killed, the largest loss of life in a maritime accident in US history. This tragedy is commemorated by a historic marker placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

By 1873, construction started on a two-story brick county courthouse in Marion. This building burned in 1908 and was later replaced with the current brick courthouse. The initial contract for the courthouse and jail was $60k, and due to unknown circumstances construction took many years to finish. In the 1880s, the town received its first proper railway connection when the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway built a line through the town to make a connection between St. Louis, Missouri and Memphis.

In 1954, a local Black man, Isadore Banks, was murdered by a mob in the town. He was chained to a tree, covered with gasoline and burned. Nobody was ever charged in the killing.

Incorporation
The city of Marion was officially incorporated on March 5, 1896.

Geography
Marion is located in eastern Crittenden County. According to the United States Census Bureau, Marion has a total area of 53.1 km2, of which 52.9 sqkm is land and 0.2 sqkm, or 0.37%, is water. It is bordered by the city of West Memphis to the south and by Sunset and Clarkedale to the north.

Ecologically, Marion is located on the border between the Northern Backswamps (west Marion) and Northern Holocene Meander Belts (east Marion) ecoregions within the larger Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The Northern Backswamps are a network of low-lying overflow areas and floodplains historically dominated by bald cypress, water tupelo, overcup oak, water hickory, and Nuttall oak forest subject to year-round or seasonal inundation. The Northern Holocene Meander Belts are the flat floodplains and former alignments of the Mississippi River, including levees, oxbow lakes, and point bars. Much of the wetlands and riverine habitat have been drained and developed for agricultural or urban land uses. The Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, which preserves some of the year-round flooded bald cypress forest typical of this ecoregion prior to development for row agriculture lies north of Marion.

Marion is 11 mi west of Memphis, Tennessee, which has a humid subtropical climate.

Notable citizens

 * Sid Eudy - Pro Wrestler, "Sid Vicious"
 * Asa Hodges - Politician, Slave Holder, and Lawyer

Major highways
Marion is bisected by Interstate 55/US 61 and is located just to the north of its junction with Interstate 40 prior to their crossing the Mississippi River, en route to Memphis. U.S. Highway 64 is the major east–west route through the town. Arkansas Highway 77 is a major north–south arterial road, east of Interstate 55, and Highway 118 is the major north–south arterial road, west of Interstate 55.

Aviation
Marion is served for general aviation by the West Memphis Municipal Airport (KAWM). General DeWitt Spain Airport is a civil aviation airport just north of downtown Memphis. Memphis International Airport is located south of Memphis; it provides commercial aviation through numerous carriers and is the international cargo hub for FedEx.

Rail
Union Pacific operates a 600 acre intermodal facility west of Marion. BNSF Railway also operates an intermodal yard in Marion.

Limited passenger rail is available on Amtrak at Central Station in nearby Memphis. The City of New Orleans runs twice daily on a north–south route from Chicago to New Orleans.

Water
Crittenden County and West Memphis jointly operate a port on the Mississippi River. The International Port of Memphis lies just across the Mississippi River via Interstate 55. The International Port of Memphis is the fourth-largest inland port in the United States.

Community
Because of its proximity to Memphis and Interstate highways, Marion offers the activities and enrichment of a large city while maintaining the character of a small community. In addition to the many community events common to any town, each May Marion hosts the Esperanza Bonanza, a festival that includes live music, a barbecue competition, a rodeo, a golf tournament, a carnival, and games for adults & children. More recently Marion has begun "Christmas on the Square" in early December co-sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club and the Marion Chamber of Commerce.

Marion is served by the Woolfolk Public Library which is jointly operated by Crittenden County and the city of Marion. It was named in honor of a local author and newspaper editor, Margaret Woolfolk.

Outdoor recreation is a big part of community life, from organized youth sports to individual and family activities. Marion is located less than 1 hour from 12 Arkansas, Tennessee or Mississippi state parks. Additional outdoor recreation is available at Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge about 10 mi north of town. The nearby community of Horseshoe Lake offers opportunity for water sports.

Healthcare
Marion and Crittenden County were served by Crittenden Regional Hospital a 152-bed JCAHO Accredited facility in nearby West Memphis until its closure in 2014. Starting in 2016 Crittenden Regional Hospital was converted into a female correctional facility and renamed East Central Arkansas Community Correction Center.

Marion and Crittenden County have been served by Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden which opened on December 13, 2018.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 13,752 people, 4,543 households, and 3,198 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 12,345 people and 4,278 households in the city. The population density was 604.4 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 68.1% White, 28% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 1.4% from two or more races. 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

88% of the population had a high school diploma and 28% reported a bachelor's degree or higher. 2.5% of the population is foreign born and 4.4% report a language other than English being spoken at home. The home ownership rate was 71.3% at a median value of $142,200. The median household income was $60,051. 7.3% of the population are below the poverty line.

Education
Crittenden County is served by Mid-South Community College in West Memphis. The college offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in conjunction with Arkansas State University, the University of Arkansas, the University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University and Franklin University.

Public schools
The Marion School District serves most of the city while a small portion is zoned to the West Memphis School District.

Marion district schools:
 * Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School (grades pre-k through 6th grade) (West Memphis)
 * Math, Science, and Technology Magnet School (grades K through 6th)
 * Herbert Carter Global Magnet School (grades K through 6th)
 * Marion Middle School (grade 7)
 * Marion Jr. High School (grades 8 through 9)
 * Marion High School (grades 10–12)

The sole high school of the West Memphis district is Academies of West Memphis (formerly West Memphis High School).

Private schools

 * West Memphis Christian School, PK-12 (West Memphis)
 * Crittenden Pentecostal Academy, K-12 (West Memphis)
 * St. Michael's Catholic School, PK-6 (West Memphis)

title: Marion, Arkansas


text:
Sunset, Arkansas

Sunset is a town in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 198 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Sunset is located in east-central Crittenden County and is surrounded by the city of Marion. Via Interstate 55, which passes just west of the town, Memphis, Tennessee, is 12 mi to the southeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.53 km2, all land.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 348 people, 135 households, and 85 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,676.8 PD/sqmi. There were 156 housing units at an average density of 751.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 4.89% White, 91.09% Black or African American, 2.87% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 4.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 135 households, out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.2% were married couples living together, 34.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the city the population was spread out, with 29.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $17,788, and the median income for a family was $17,250. Males had a median income of $21,750 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $7,766. About 44.4% of families and 49.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 79.6% of those under age 18 and 27.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Sunset is in the Marion School District. Its comprehensive high school is Marion High School.

title: Sunset, Arkansas


text:
Turrell, Arkansas

Turrell is a city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 517.

Geography
Turrell is located in northern Crittenden County and is bordered by the town of Gilmore to the north. Turrell is located on Arkansas Highway 77, just southeast of the junction where Interstate 55 and U.S. Routes 61 merge. Prior to 2021, US 63 merged here too. Interstate 55 leads south 24 mi to Memphis, Tennessee, and north 42 mi to Blytheville, Arkansas, near the Missouri border. US 61/Interstate 555 leads northwest 45 mi to Jonesboro.

The Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad runs through Turrell. Two major lines of the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Springfield Division converge at Turrell (the Thayer South and the River subdivisions), which funnel trains from the Springfield, Missouri, yard and the St. Louis yard, respectively, to Turrell. Once these two lines converge, the trackage then goes to Memphis. The railroad was formerly the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (better known as the Frisco). The Frisco Railroad was absorbed by the Burlington Northern in 1980.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Turrell has a total area of 14.0 km2, of which 0.05 km2, or 0.33%, is water.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 957 people, 326 households, and 222 families residing in the town. The population density was 176.1 PD/sqmi. There were 357 housing units at an average density of 65.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 19.44% White, 78.79% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.94% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 2.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 326 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.5% were married couples living together, 29.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 27.6% 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 2.94 and the average family size was 3.70.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $15,000, and the median income for a family was $21,750. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $14,861 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,908. About 38.1% of families and 41.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.8% of those under age 18 and 30.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education for early childhood, elementary and secondary school students is primarily provided by the Marion School District, which leads to graduation from Marion High School.

On July 1, 2010, the former Turrell School District consolidated with the Marion School District, thus closing the former Turrell High School. The Turrell High School mascot was the Rockets and its boys basketball teams won two consecutive Class A state basketball championships in 1999 and 2000 and the girls won the state title in 1987.

Notable person

 * Jerry Rook (born 1943), two-time All-American basketball player at Arkansas State; born in Turrell

title: Turrell, Arkansas


text:
West Memphis, Arkansas

West Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 26,245 at the 2010 census, ranking it as the state's 18th largest city, behind Bella Vista. It is part of the Memphis metropolitan area, and is located directly across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee.

Pre-European habitation
Native Americans lived in the Mississippi River Valley for at least 10,000 years, although much of the evidence of their presence has been buried or destroyed. The people of the Mississippian Period were the last indigenous inhabitants of the West Memphis area. Mound City Road, located within the eastern portion of the West Memphis city limits, has a marker indicating that the villages of Aquixo (Aquijo) or Pacaha were in the area. Several mounds are still visible.

European exploration and settlement
Explorers from both Spain and France visited the area near West Memphis. Among those explorers were Hernando de Soto and his men from Spain and Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet from France. By the time French hunters and explorers entered the region, the Mississippian towns and other settlements had been abandoned. The original site of West Memphis came from Spanish land grants issued during the 1790s. Grants were given to Benjamin Fooy, John Henry Fooy, and Isaac Fooy in the Hopefield (Crittenden County) area and to William McKenney in the Bridgeport-West Memphis area.

Early history
In the summer of 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto crossed the Mississippi River into what is now Crittenden County with an army of over 300 conquistadors and almost as many captured Native American slaves. The Spanish found the land to be the most densely populated that they had seen since starting their journey on the Florida coast, two years earlier. The Spanish expedition departed Arkansas two years later, leaving behind numerous Old World diseases. It was 130 years before Europeans visited this region again. The French expedition of Joliet and Marquette in 1673 found none of the towns or people that the Spanish had documented; all that remained were the many mounds that still dot the landscape along the rivers and creeks. The original inhabitants, like the later settlers, were drawn to this region because of its fertile river bottom soil, abundant game, and thick forest.

First European settlement
The earliest recorded immigrant to the area was Benjamin Fooy, a native of Holland, who was sent in 1795 by the Spanish governor of the large area claimed by Spain to establish a settlement on the Mississippi River. He chose a location across the river from present-day Memphis. In 1797, the Spanish established Campo de la Esperanza, which was a small fort along the Mississippi River. The Spanish abandoned the fort in 1802 and the area took its English translation "Field of Hope", which eventually became known as Hopefield shortly after the United States took possession of the Louisiana Territory.

Crittenden County
Crittenden County is bounded on the east by the Mississippi River and was established in 1825, eleven years before Arkansas became a state. Named after Robert Crittenden, the first secretary of the Arkansas Territory, the county had a population of 1,272 in 1830. Hopefield became the eastern terminal for the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad in 1857. However, the Civil War forced a halt to track construction just east of the St. Francis River in 1861.

Civil War and the end of Hopefield
During the summer of 1862, Memphis fell into the hands of the Union forces. Most Confederate soldiers were ferried across the river to Hopefield, Arkansas, and surrounding farms. Many of these soldiers were moved on to other battle fronts, but some remained to harass the Union forces and disrupt river traffic. This became such a problem that on February 19, 1863, four companies of Federal forces burned down the entire town. The town of Hopefield was rebuilt after the war but never regained the prominence it once held in Crittenden County. After the St. Francis Levee District began the levee system in the Arkansas Delta during the 1890s, what little remained of Hopefield became part of the Mississippi River flood plain and was washed away.

First settlement named West Memphis
An early settlement that was established for ferry operations between Memphis and Arkansas in the early 1880s was given the name West Memphis. This small settlement, located directly south of the present day Memphis & Arkansas Bridge, never incorporated and died out shortly after ferry traffic ceased due to the completion of the Frisco Bridge across the Mississippi River in 1892. In addition to its lost ferry operations, this area, in the same fashion as its northern neighbor Hopefield, became part of the Mississippi River flood plain in the 1890s.

The entire area usually flooded in the spring until the St. Francis Levee District was established in 1893. However, private landowners along the Mississippi River built levees that were only three or four feet high. In 1912 and 1913, the St. Francis main levee broke, flooding the area from the Mississippi River to Forrest City in St. Francis County. The flood of 1913 was the last time the levee broke in Crittenden County.

Founding of West Memphis
After the levee system was built and strengthened, Zack T. Bragg, a lumberman who had been logging in St. Francis County since 1905, purchased 300 acres of virgin timber and established a sawmill in 1914. The mill was located along a railroad spur and a dirt path that would eventually become Missouri Street in West Memphis. Bragg also acquired the timbering rights to thousands of acres of adjacent land clearing the area that eventually gave way to fertile farmland and to the future West Memphis. The area around Bragg's Mill was known for the first few years as Bragg, Arkansas. The small community consisted of the mill, a commissary and boarding house, and a few dozen dwellings for workers. In 1914, another operation began two miles south of Bragg's Mill when William H. Hundhausen began plans for the Bolz Slack Barrell Cooperage plant located at the southern end of present-day 8th Street in West Memphis. The Bolz Cooperage, which was a stave mill, purchased a great quantity of acreage for its lumber operation. Within a short time of the mill's beginning, a small community developed. In 1917, highways 70 and 61 were established and clearing began through the future West Memphis. With the threat of river flooding diminished by a strengthened levee, the establishment of two lumber operations and the building of two major U.S. highways, the small lumber communities grew rapidly. In 1920 the population was approximately 132 and by 1928, the population had grown to 350. The community incorporated as a city in 1927 with the name West Memphis. Zack T. Bragg, one of the city's founders, was elected as the first mayor and served for three consecutive one year terms. William H. Hundhausen, another founder of West Memphis, was elected as its third mayor and served from 1932 to 1944.

Early 20th century
The construction of the railroads, the establishment of lumber operations and the construction of two new U.S. highways fueled the growth of West Memphis. In 1930, the population reached 895. By 1940, the population grew to 2,225 and by the 1950 census, the population had more than quadrupled in size to 9,112, making West Memphis the fastest growing city in Arkansas. Due to the rapid growth of the city that grew from thick forests and swamps earlier in the 20th century, West Memphis was nicknamed the "Wonder City" in the mid-1930s.

20th century growth
The first automobiles began crossing the Mississippi River at Memphis in 1917 by special roadways constructed on the Harahan Bridge, which was built for rail traffic and opened in 1916. This heralded the growth of the future West Memphis as its main street, U.S. Highway 70, known as Broadway Avenue, brought an influx of automobile traffic through the area. U.S. Highway 61, named Missouri Street in West Memphis, was constructed at the same time and its juncture with Highway 70 would become the epicenter of downtown West Memphis. West Memphis was officially incorporated in 1927 and continued to grow to become the largest city in Crittenden County. The availability of river and rail transportation transformed West Memphis into the manufacturing and distribution hub of the county. In the 1930s West Memphis, along with the rest of the Mississippi Delta, suffered due to the economic depression. However, the city grew and developed at a record pace. The most notable export of West Memphis from that era was its original blues music. At one time Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Lockwood, Jr., and B.B. King lived in West Memphis.

The growth and development of the city's main commercial thoroughfare, Broadway Avenue, was instigated by the increased traffic and by demand for the industrial products produced and shipped through West Memphis by rail and river. Tourist courts, restaurants, hotels and other amenities geared toward the traveler were constructed along the traffic corridor through West Memphis. During the World War II years, transportation of soldiers and goods by road, river, and rail in the Memphis/West Memphis area created the need for lodging and other services. Construction in 1949 of a second automobile bridge across the Mississippi, connecting Memphis and West Memphis, created another influx of automobile traffic.

The buildings in the 700, 800 and 900 blocks of East Broadway reflect the growth of the city of West Memphis in the years 1930 to 1958. Until the national interstate highway system was opened in the late 1950s, diverting traffic away from former routes through the middle of America's towns, West Memphis' Broadway Avenue was the city's center of commerce, with retail stores, tourist courts and hotels and office buildings. Decline of Broadway Avenue was rapid after the traffic through the town diminished with the opening of the interstate highways. Although the three blocks of East Broadway contained in the West Memphis Commercial Historic District remain much as they appeared in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, the remainder of the city's major traffic corridor, Broadway Avenue, has changed significantly.

World War II to the modern era
In the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, 8th Street was often called "Beale Street West", reflecting a music and nightlife scene to equal that in Memphis. Some places in West Memphis have been associated with entertainers such as B.B. King (who began his public entertaining at the Square Deal Café on South 16th Street) and Elvis Presley (who ate his first breakfast after being inducted into the U.S. Army at the Coffee Cup on East Broadway on March 24, 1958). Other night spots along Broadway Street included Willowdale Inn, the Cotton Club, and the Plantation Inn.

Legal greyhound racing began in the county in 1935. In the years that followed, the track closed several times—once for flooding, another due to World War II, and another time due to fire. However, the business currently known as Southland Park Gaming & Racing on North Ingram Boulevard has been in the same location since 1956 and is now open every day of the week, including 24 hours on weekends.

West Memphis began its role as a trucking hub with the opening of parts of Interstate 55 in the 1950s. With both I-55 and I-40 traveling toward the Mississippi River, West Memphis became known as the "crossroads of America" in the trucking industry. In 1973, a six-lane highway bridge, known as the Hernando de Soto Bridge and located north of the Harahan, opened as part of I-40.

In 1980, Leo Chitman was elected as the city's first African American mayor. Current Mayor Marco McClendon, who became the youngest West Memphis Mayor to be sworn into office in 2019, is African American as well.

On December 14, 1987, a tornado killed six people and caused approximately $35 million in damage. The town had not recovered from the tornado damage when it flooded from 12 in of rain on December 25, 1987. Additionally, 7 to 10 in of snow fell on January 6, 1988. When the snow began to melt, this added to the already existing flood problems and the destruction caused by the tornado.

Some of the major employers in the city are Schneider National Carriers, Southland Park Gaming & Racing, Family Dollar Distribution, FedEx National LTL, and Robert Bosch Power Tools. Family Dollar Distribution and FedEx National LTL are located in the Mid-America Industrial Park west of the city.

The 1993 murders of three young boys and the subsequent convictions of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley, Jr. brought much unwanted attention to West Memphis. The three young men convicted were known as the West Memphis Three and the case brought about a great amount of public intrigue. Three documentaries have been made about the incident, the first being Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills. Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were released from jail in 2011 after signing an Alford plea, which allowed them to plead guilty while maintaining their innocence. They were released with time served and placed on probation until 2021.

Geography
West Memphis is located in eastern Crittenden County. It is bordered to the north by the city of Marion. A small piece of West Memphis extends south as far as the Mississippi River, but in most places the river is from 0.2 to 2 mi south or east of the city limits. Downtown Memphis, Tennessee, is 8 mi east of downtown West Memphis. According to the United States Census Bureau, West Memphis has a total area of 73.9 km2, of which 73.7 km2 is land and 0.2 km2, or 0.34%, is water.

Ecologically, West Memphis is located on the border between the Northern Backswamps (western part of West Memphis) and Northern Holocene Meander Belts (eastern section of West Memphis) ecoregions within the larger Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The Northern Backswamps are a network of low-lying overflow areas and floodplains historically dominated by bald cypress, water tupelo, overcup oak, water hickory, and Nuttall oak forest subject to year-round or seasonal inundation. The Northern Holocene Meander Belts are the flat floodplains and former alignments of the Mississippi River, including levees, oxbow lakes, and point bars. Much of the wetlands and riverine habitat have been drained and developed for agricultural or urban land uses. The Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, which preserves some of the year-round flooded bald cypress forest typical of this ecoregion prior to development for row agriculture lies north of West Memphis.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 24,520 people, 9,939 households, and 5,964 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 26,245 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 63.3% Black, 33.7% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, <0.0% from some other race and 0.8% from two or more races. 1.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,666 people, 10,051 households, and 7,136 families living in the city. The population density was 1,044.3 PD/sqmi. There were 11,022 housing units at an average density of 416.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 55.93% Black or African American, 42.16% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.01% of the population.

There were 10,051 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 25.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. There were 553 unmarried partner households: 475 of both sexes, 52 same-sex male, and 26 same-sex female. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,399, and the median income for a family was $32,465. Males had a median income of $29,977 versus $21,007 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,679. About 23.7% of families and 28.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.9% of those under age 18 and 22.3% of those age 65 or over.

Crime
West Memphis tends to have crime levels considerably above the national average. For the year of 2006, the violent crime index was 1989.3 violent crimes committed per 100,000 residents. The national average was 553.5 crimes committed per 100,000 residents. For 2008, the total murder risk for the city was over two and a half times the United States average, the same applied when compared to the Arkansas state average. Other forms of crime were roughly the same with the exception of larceny which was slightly above the national average. While the crime within West Memphis is typically high, it is relatively average when compared with its far larger neighbor Memphis, the same applies to other cities throughout the same region of the South.

Economy
Primarily because of its central location and transportation infrastructure, West Memphis has become a hub for distribution and assembly operations. Healthcare is a noteworthy component of the city's economy, including Baptist Memorial Hospital – Crittenden, various clinics, medical suppliers, and nursing homes located in town.

The city lies at the point where two of the nation's most heavily traveled interstate highways, Interstate 40 and Interstate 55, intersect with the Mississippi River (a major cargo waterway) and large rail-lines operated by BNSF and Union Pacific. Cable television, internet and digital phone service is offered through Comcast. AT&T provides telephone and internet service.

Distribution centers
Major operations include distribution centers for retailers such as Family Dollar, Carvana, Bosch Tools and manufacturers such as Stateside Steel & Wire

Continuing nearly $40 million in expenditures in West Memphis since 1998, Ciba Specialty Chemicals began construction of a new $1.3 million, 7000 sqft laboratory facility in December 2003, which was completed in June 2004.

Public parks
Public parks in the area include Franklin Park, Grimsley Park, Hicks Park, Hightower Park, Horton Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Matthews Park, Rowe Park, Tenth Street Park, Tilden Rodgers Sports Complex and Worthington Park.

West Memphis Gateway
The West Memphis Gateway serves as the main entrance to the city of West Memphis. The LED lighting for the overpass support beams light at night according to the season of the year.

Broadway Boulevard
Broadway Boulevard is the downtown district for the city of West Memphis. This downtown area has more than 84 stores and restaurants lining the street. Broadway also hosts blues singers and events in the city's "Blues on Broadway".

Gambling
West Memphis is one of only two cities in Arkansas (along with Hot Springs) with a venue for parimutuel gambling, antedating the casino developments in nearby Tunica County, Mississippi, by many years.

In the 1990s, Southland Greyhound Park, one of West Memphis' largest employers, saw its attendance and revenues decline drastically, with a corresponding economic impact on both the town and state. This was largely attributed to the rise of casino gambling in nearby Tunica, Mississippi. By 2002, Southland struggled to survive.

Following an estimated $40 million investment by the park's owner and the addition since 2006 of electronic games of skill and video poker machines, Southland has added more than 300 new employees, making it the third largest employer in West Memphis with 660 employees.

College

 * Arkansas State University Mid-South

Public schools
Most of West Memphis is served by the West Memphis School District while a portion of the city of West Memphis is located within the Marion Public School District.

West Memphis district schools:

 * Academies of West Memphis High School, grades 10–12
 * East Junior High School, grades 7–9
 * West Junior High School, grades 7–9
 * Wonder Junior High School, grades 7–9
 * Bragg Elementary School, kindergarten-6th grade
 * Richland Elementary School, kindergarten-6th grade
 * Faulk Elementary School, kindergarten-6th grade
 * Jackson Elementary School, prekindergarten-6th grade
 * Maddux Elementary School, kindergarten-6th grade
 * Weaver Elementary School, kindergarten-6th grade
 * Wonder Elementary School, kindergarten-6th grade
 * [closed] Wedlock Elementary School, kindergarten-6th grade

Marion district schools:
 * Marion High School (grades 10–12)
 * Marion Junior High School (7–9)
 * Marion Math Science and Technology  (K-6)
 * Marion Visual and Performing Arts (K-6)
 * Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet (K-6)

Private schools

 * West Memphis Christian School, prekindergarten-12th grade
 * St. Michael's Catholic School

Major highways

 * Interstate 40
 * Interstate 55
 * U.S. Highway 61
 * U.S. Highway 63
 * U.S. Highway 64
 * U.S. Highway 70 (Broadway Boulevard)
 * U.S. Highway 79
 * Highway 77
 * Highway 118
 * Highway 191

Healthcare
From 1951 until its closure in 2014, the community was served by Crittenden Regional Hospital, a 152-bed JCAHO Accredited facility. Memphis-based Baptist Memorial Health System opened Baptist Memorial Hospital–Crittenden, an 11-bed facility focusing on acute care, in December 2018.

Notable people

 * Betty Blue, model and actress
 * Corey Brewer, current European professional basketball player
 * Marcus Brown, former NBA and European basketball player
 * Shirley Brown, Grammy-nominated Stax recording artist
 * Michael Cage, former NBA rebounding champion
 * Jekalyn Carr, gospel musician
 * Sid Eudy aka Sid Vicious or Sid Justice, former four-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion (WWE, WCW)
 * Ike Harris, former NFL player
 * Taylor Hunt, comedian and accomplished mathematician
 * Howlin' Wolf, blues guitarist, Chess Records artist, KWEM radio performer
 * Wayne Jackson, trumpet player for The Memphis Horns
 * B.B. King, blues guitarist, Modern Records artist, KWEM radio performer
 * Keith Lee, former NBA player
 * Junior Parker, blues musician
 * Sonny Weems, current basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League and the Euroleague
 * Junior Wells, blues harmonica player and vocalist
 * Sonny Boy Williamson II, blues musician
 * Warren Smith, rockabilly musician
 * Yebba, singer and songwriter

title: West Memphis, Arkansas


text:
Cherry Valley, Arkansas

Cherry Valley is a city in Cross County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 702 at the 2020 census.

History
Cherry Valley was started in 1882, when upon the completion of the Helena & Iron Mountain Railway through Cross County, local resident G.W. Stacy constructed a hotel at a site on the line adjacent to a grove of Cherry trees. The town was incorporated on August 6, 1910.

Geography
Cherry Valley is located in northern Cross County at the western edge of Crowleys Ridge. Arkansas Highway 1 leads south 13 mi to Wynne, the county seat, and north 11 mi to Harrisburg.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 km2, all land.

Population and Homeownership
As of 2021, Cherry Valley had a population of 618 people, a 12% decrease since 2020, and 218 households. The median household income was $42,500 and the median property value was $65,300. The homeownership rate was 68.3%, while 77.2% of homeowners have a mortgage. 11.8% of the population lived under the poverty line, most of whom being white females between the ages of 55 and 64.

Transportation
The average household owned 2 cars, while 74.6% of inhabitants drove alone. 23.1% of the population carpooled, and the rest (1.52%) walked. The average commute time was 29 minutes.

Healthcare
19.9% of people were uninsured. 35.1% of people were under Medicaid, 26.1% were under employer coverage, 11% were under Medicare, 7.12% were under an individual policy, and 0.809% were using VA healthcare.

Education
Public education for elementary and secondary students is provided by the Cross County School District, which leads to graduation from Cross County High School. The district's mascot and athletic emblem is the Thunderbird.

The Cross County district was established in 1965 by the merger of the Cherry Valley, Hickory Ridge, and Vanndale school districts. As a part of the Cross County district the community previously had its own elementary school, Cherry Valley Elementary.

Notable people

 * Pat Hare, blues musician
 * Jeff Martin, professional basketball player
 * Wayne Martin, professional football player
 * Paul H. Young, fly fishing innovator

title: Cherry Valley, Arkansas


text:
Hickory Ridge, Arkansas

Hickory Ridge is a city in Cross County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 272 at the 2010 census. Always a small farming community with an economy based on agriculture, a post office was first established in 1875, but the community did not incorporate until 1949.

History
A post office in Brushy Lake Township was named Hickory Ridge on October 5, 1875. The post office was closed shortly thereafter, and the area remained very sparsely populated because the soils were too wet to grow cotton. Following the Cotton Belt railway extension through the settlement around 1882, the community saw prosperity from timber and agriculture; reestablishing the Hickory Ridge post office in 1892.

The city was racially segregated along the railroad tracks (similar to the Delmar Divide), and around 1910, white residents dynamited the black section of town, expelling all black residents. The city became completely white and evolved into sundown town through unwritten rules.

Geography
Hickory Ridge is located in northwestern Cross County. U.S. Route 49 passes through the community, leading north 37 mi to Jonesboro and south 35 mi to Interstate 40 at Brinkley.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Hickory Ridge has a total area of 1.7 km2, all land.

Hickory Ridge is within the Mississippi embayment of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, a flat fertile floodplain of the Mississippi River. In Arkansas, an economic and cultural region roughly following this geography is known as the Arkansas Delta (or "the Delta"). Roughly the western third of Cross County is within the Western Lowlands Pleistocene Valley Train subregion of the Delta. This region is characterized as flat windblown deposits of silty, sandy soils, and loess with a high groundwater table. Post oak and loblolly pine are native in the higher elevations, with overcup oak, water hickory, willow oak, and pin oak and pondberry native in wetlands. Today, row agriculture is extensive (mostly soybeans and cotton), with commercial aquaculture (crawfish, baitfish, and catfish farms) also common.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 384 people, 155 households and 110 families residing in the city. The population density was 599.6 PD/sqmi. There were 165 housing units at an average density of 257.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.48% White, 0.26% Asian, and 0.26% from two or more races. 0.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 155 households, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.

Age distribution was 28.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median household income was $22,778, and the median family income was $28,906. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $15,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,053. About 11.2% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 29.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education for elementary and secondary students is provided by the Cross County School District, which leads to graduation from Cross County High School. The district's mascot and athletic emblem is the Thunderbird.

The Cross County district was established in 1965 by the merger of the Cherry Valley, Hickory Ridge, and Vanndale school districts. As a part of the Cross County district the community previously had its own elementary school, Hickory Ridge Elementary.

Transportation
Hickory Ridge is located at the intersection of U.S. Route 49 (US 49) and Highway 42. The Union Pacific Railway closely parallels US 49 through Hickory Ridge.

Utilities
Entergy Arkansas is the sole provider of electricity in Hickory Ridge. Telephone communication service is provided by AT&T, cable television is provided by East Arkansas Video. Centerpoint Energy is the natural gas utility in Cross County.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is responsible for the regulation and oversight of public water systems throughout the state. Hickory Ridge Waterworks is a small water utility that treats and distributes groundwater to under 1000 customers.

title: Hickory Ridge, Arkansas


text:
Parkin, Arkansas

Parkin is a city in Cross County, Arkansas, United States, along the St. Francis River. The population was 1,105 at the 2010 census, down from 1,602 in 2000. Due to the recent population loss, a large segment of the downtown area has many abandoned and boarded-up buildings. The town has recently become known as a speed trap.

Geography
Parkin is located in eastern Cross County on the east bank of the St. Francis River just south of the mouth of the Tyronza River. U.S. Route 64 passes through the community, leading east 5 mi to Earle and west 14 mi to Wynne, the Cross County seat.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.6 km2, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 794 people, 312 households, and 147 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,602 people, 603 households, and 404 families residing in the city. The population density was 627.2 PD/sqmi. There were 657 housing units at an average density of 257.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 10.40% White, 88.54% Black or African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 603 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 22.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.7% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $18,669, and the median income for a family was $25,893. Males had a median income of $22,667 versus $16,413 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,050. About 27.7% of families and 36.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.7% of those under age 18 and 26.8% of those age 65 or over.

Parkin Archeological State Park
Parkin Archeological State Park, also known as Parkin Indian Mound, is an archaeological site and state park in the north part of Parkin.

Churches
Churches in Parkin include:
 * First United Methodist Church - notable for the chimes that ring and play hymns throughout the day.
 * First Baptist
 * Gladden Baptist Church

Speed Trap
Parkin has become known as a notorious speed trap for vehicles traveling along Route 64. This has been a problem for many years, with reports stemming back to 2007. A common practice for the police officer is to issue "Inattentive Driving Citations", breaking Parkin's City Ordinance 269. This results in a fine over $275 instead of a normal speeding ticket, and this money goes straight to the city, as they use the city ordinance. This results in over 30% of the city's income each year (handing out over 2500 Ordinance 269 violations).

Education
The Wynne School District serves Parkin; it operates Wynne High School.

The former Parkin School District merged into the Wynne district on September 7, 2005.

Notable people

 * Dave Burnette, former NFL player
 * Christopher Grace Founder, inventor, creator, CEO ShowKard.com
 * Bette Greene, author
 * Dave Hanner, NFL defensive tackle and assistant coach
 * Isaiah Harris, Negro league baseball pitcher
 * Harry Kelley, Major League Baseball player
 * Lee Shot Williams, Blues singer
 * Howlin' Wolf, Chicago blues singer, guitarist, and harmonica player

title: Parkin, Arkansas