Arkadelphia, Arkansas | |
---|---|
City of Arkadelphia | |
Etymology: Greek for "Brother of Arkansas" | |
Coordinates: 34°7′19″N93°3′58″W / 34.12194°N 93.06611°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Arkansas |
County | Clark |
Township | Caddo |
Government | |
• Type | City manager |
Area | |
• Total | 7.74 sq mi (20.03 km2) |
• Land | 7.73 sq mi (20.02 km2) |
• Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
Elevation | 246 ft (75 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 10,380 |
• Density | 1,343.17/sq mi (518.60/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
ZIP Codes | 71923, 71998–71999 |
Area code | 870 |
FIPS code | 05-01870 |
GNIS feature ID | 0076188 |
Website | cityofarkadelphia |
Arkadelphia is a city in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,380. [2] The city is the county seat of Clark County. [3] It is situated at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Two universities, Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University, are located here. Arkadelphia was incorporated in 1857.
The site was settled in about 1809 by John Hemphill, operator of a nearby salt works, Arkansas's first industry. It was known as Blakelytown until 1839, when the settlement adopted the name Arkadelphia. The town was named "Arkadelphia," a portmanteau of Ark- from the state's name Arkansas and adelphia from the Greek meaning "brother/place". [4]
Arkadelphia was once known as the "City of Rainbows", perhaps because the humid climate often resulted in rain. [5]
Arkadelphia is located in northeastern Clark County on the west bank of the Ouachita River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.3 square miles (18.9 km2), of which 7.3 square miles (18.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.49%, is water. [6]
The climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Arkadelphia has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [7]
Climate data for Arkadelphia, Arkansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1899–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 89 (32) | 87 (31) | 92 (33) | 95 (35) | 108 (42) | 112 (44) | 112 (44) | 113 (45) | 109 (43) | 102 (39) | 86 (30) | 82 (28) | 113 (45) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 54.7 (12.6) | 58.8 (14.9) | 67.5 (19.7) | 76.3 (24.6) | 82.8 (28.2) | 90.1 (32.3) | 93.6 (34.2) | 93.8 (34.3) | 87.7 (30.9) | 77.6 (25.3) | 65.2 (18.4) | 57.1 (13.9) | 75.4 (24.1) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 42.7 (5.9) | 46.3 (7.9) | 54.5 (12.5) | 63.2 (17.3) | 71.3 (21.8) | 79.1 (26.2) | 82.4 (28.0) | 81.8 (27.7) | 75.3 (24.1) | 64.0 (17.8) | 52.6 (11.4) | 45.4 (7.4) | 63.2 (17.3) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 30.7 (−0.7) | 33.8 (1.0) | 41.5 (5.3) | 50.0 (10.0) | 59.8 (15.4) | 68.0 (20.0) | 71.2 (21.8) | 69.8 (21.0) | 62.9 (17.2) | 50.5 (10.3) | 40.1 (4.5) | 33.7 (0.9) | 51.0 (10.6) |
Record low °F (°C) | −2 (−19) | −6 (−21) | 9 (−13) | 23 (−5) | 34 (1) | 46 (8) | 52 (11) | 48 (9) | 33 (1) | 25 (−4) | 11 (−12) | 0 (−18) | −6 (−21) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.03 (102) | 4.20 (107) | 4.88 (124) | 5.33 (135) | 6.60 (168) | 3.89 (99) | 4.09 (104) | 3.32 (84) | 3.77 (96) | 4.92 (125) | 4.40 (112) | 5.41 (137) | 54.84 (1,393) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.4 (1.0) | 0.6 (1.5) | 0.3 (0.76) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 1.4 (3.6) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.3 | 6.7 | 7.4 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 5.1 | 4.7 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 76.2 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.7 |
Source: NOAA [8] [9] |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 248 | — | |
1860 | 905 | 264.9% | |
1870 | 948 | 4.8% | |
1880 | 1,506 | 58.9% | |
1890 | 2,455 | 63.0% | |
1900 | 2,739 | 11.6% | |
1910 | 2,745 | 0.2% | |
1920 | 3,311 | 20.6% | |
1930 | 3,380 | 2.1% | |
1940 | 5,078 | 50.2% | |
1950 | 6,819 | 34.3% | |
1960 | 8,069 | 18.3% | |
1970 | 9,841 | 22.0% | |
1980 | 10,005 | 1.7% | |
1990 | 10,014 | 0.1% | |
2000 | 10,912 | 9.0% | |
2010 | 10,714 | −1.8% | |
2020 | 10,380 | −3.1% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [10] |
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 5,994 | 57.75% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 3,255 | 31.36% |
Native American | 36 | 0.35% |
Asian | 137 | 1.32% |
Pacific Islander | 13 | 0.13% |
Other/Mixed | 475 | 4.58% |
Hispanic or Latino | 470 | 4.53% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,380 people, 3,751 households, and 1,966 families residing in the city.
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,714 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 64.0% White, 30.0% Black, 0.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race and 1.4% from two or more races. 3.2% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
As of the census [12] of 2000, there were 10,912 people, 3,865 households, and 2,187 families living in the city. The population density was 1,486.2 inhabitants per square mile (573.8/km2). There were 4,216 housing units at an average density of 574.2 per square mile (221.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.98% White, 26.51% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.35% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.59% of the population.
There were 3,865 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city, the age distribution of the population showed 18.1% under the age of 18, 32.9% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,651, and the median income for a family was $42,479. Males had a median income of $30,152 versus $19,459 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,268. About 19.8% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under the age of 18 and 15.9% of those 65 and older.
Major factors in Arkadelphia's economy are education and manufacturing. Ouachita Baptist University, Henderson State University, and Arkadelphia School District employ many people in the education sector. The manufacturing sector includes Georgia Pacific and Siplast. The economy includes small-scale businesses, including fast-food restaurants.[ citation needed ]
Opened in 2011, the Arkadelphia Arts Center hosts exhibits, productions and educational workshops for many organizations in town, including the Caddo River Art Guild, the Poet and Writer's Guild, the Little Theatre, the two universities, and Arkadelphia School District. [13] Henderson State University holds plays and musical performances in Arkansas Hall located on campus. Ouachita Baptist University displays student art and sculpture in the Hammons Gallery. OBU performing arts take place in the OBU Jones Performing Arts Center on Ouachita Street.[ citation needed ]
The Clark County Historical Museum contains artifacts from prehistoric times through today in an attempt to document the history of the county. Based in the former Amtrak station, a historic tour through Arkadelphia, including the historic James E. M. Barkman House. The Captain Henderson House is a historic bed and breakfast owned and operated by Henderson State University and originally inhabited by the university's namesake. [14]
Downtown Arkadelphia includes the Arkadelphia Commercial Historic District, the Arkadelphia Confederate Monument, Clark County Courthouse, and the Clark County Library, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [14]
Other family attractions include the Diamond Lakes Regional Visitors Center on Highway 7 near I-30, [15] and the Reynolds Science Center Planetarium, open to the public during the academic year, is located on the Henderson State University campus. [16]
Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation Department operates facilities and manages activities for the community. [17] Within Feaster Park, the department operates Arkadelphia Aquatic Park, which features water slides, swimming, and diving areas. The park includes a recreation center that has an indoor basketball/volleyball court, a weight lifting area and an elevated walking track. In 2013, the department completed construction of DeSoto Bluff Trail, which overlooks the Ouachita River. [18]
DeGray Lake Resort State Park surrounds 13,800-acre (21.6 sq mi; 56 km2) DeGray Lake, which is located 8 mi (13 km) northwest of Arkadelphia, on Arkansas Scenic Byway 7. The state park has facilities for camping, fishing, water sports, golf, hiking, and biking. The Iron Mountain Bike Trail is a winding path inside the park that runs for approximately 26 miles (42 km). [19]
The Caddo and Ouachita rivers merge just outside the northern city limits. Canoe and tube rentals are available in nearby Caddo Valley, Arkansas.[ citation needed ]
The Ouachita National Forest and Hot Springs National Park are located on the scenic byway, approximately 30 miles (48 km) north of Arkadelphia. To the west of Hot Springs is Lake Ouachita, which has more than 690 miles (1,110 km) of shoreline and more than 40,000 acres (63 sq mi; 160 km2) of water. The lake is surrounded by Ouachita National Forest. The tourist destination of Hot Springs is located adjacent to the national park. Bathhouse Row, Oaklawn Park Race Track and Casino and Magic Springs are some attractions located there.[ citation needed ]
Arkadelphia operates under the city manager form of government. There is a seven-member city council known as the board of directors that appoint the city manager. Five members of the board are elected via ward. Two members are elected at large, one of which is the mayor position.
Arkadelphia School District operates four public schools:
For the 2011–2012 school year, there were approximately 2,125 students enrolled. In September 2015, voters in the Arkadelphia School District passed a millage increase earmarked for new elementary and middle schools. [20] [21] Nikki Thomas is District Superintendent. [22]
Major medical services in Arkadelphia are provided by:
Arkadelphia is intersected by Interstate 30, a primary east-west Interstate highway running northeast 68 miles (109 km) to Little Rock, 77 miles (124 km) southwest to Texarkana, and 254 miles (409 km) southwest to Dallas. US Route 67 runs parallel to I-30 and connects Arkadelphia to Malvern 25 miles (40 km) to the northeast and Gurdon 15 miles (24 km) to the southwest. Highway 8 and Arkansas Highway 51 serve as primary east-west arterials for Arkadelphia. [31] Arkansas Highway 7 provides a primary north-south route and has been designated as an Arkansas Scenic Byway. [32] Arkansas Highway 874 is a system of state highways that serve Henderson State University.
Passenger rail service is provided by Amtrak's Texas Eagle, which stops at Arkadelphia station. Trains run daily between Chicago and San Antonio. Connecting service between San Antonio and Los Angeles is available three times a week via the Sunset Limited. [33]
Freight service in Arkadelphia is provided by Arkansas Midland Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad.
Dexter B. Florence Memorial Field (KADF) in southeastern Arkadelphia can serve small business jets as well as single and double-engine aircraft. [34] Henderson State University offers a four-year bachelor of science degree in aviation and is responsible for the airport's fixed-base operation. [35]
Within the city, bus service is provided by South Central Arkansas Transit. (SCAT) [36]
Water and sewer utilities are provided by Arkadelphia's municipal water & wastewater system. [37] The city's electric system is maintained by South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Inc., [38] and natural gas is provided by CenterPoint Energy. [39]
Hot Spring County is located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 33,040. The county seat is Malvern. Established on November 2, 1829, in the Arkansas Territory from a part of Clark County; it was named after the hot springs at Hot Springs, Arkansas, which were formerly in the county.
Clark County is a county located in the south-central part of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,446. The county seat is Arkadelphia. The Arkadelphia, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Clark County.
Ashley County is a rural South Arkansas county with a culture, economy, and history based on timber and agriculture. Created as Arkansas's 52nd county on November 30, 1848, Ashley County has seven incorporated municipalities, including Hamburg, the county seat and Crossett, the most populous city. The county is also the site of numerous unincorporated communities and ghost towns. The county is named for Chester Ashley, a prominent lawyer in the Arkansas Territory and U.S. senator from the state from 1844 to 1848.
Amity is a city in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 723 at the 2010 census. The city began on the Caddo River in the mid-19th century when William F. Browning and others, including A.B. Clingman, at various times moved to the area.
Caddo Valley is a town in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 635 at the 2010 census.
Hot Springs is a resort city in the state of Arkansas and the county seat of Garland County. The city is located in the Ouachita Mountains among the U.S. Interior Highlands, and is set among several natural hot springs for which the city is named. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 37,930, making it the 11th most populous city in Arkansas.
Malvern is a city in and the county seat of Hot Spring County, Arkansas, United States. Founded as a railroad stop at the eastern edge of the Ouachita Mountains, the community's history and economy have been tied to available agricultural and mineral resources. The production of bricks from locally available clay has earned the city the nickname, "The Brick Capital of the World". The city had a population of 10,318 at the time of the 2010 census, and in 2019 the estimated population was 10,931.
Glenwood is a city in Pike and Montgomery counties in Arkansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 2,068. The community is located along the Caddo River in the Ouachita Mountains.
Maynard is a town in Randolph County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 379 at the 2020 census.
El Dorado is a city in, and the county seat of, Union County, on the southern border of Arkansas, United States. According to the 2020 census, the population of the city is 17,755.
Henderson is a city and the county seat of Rusk County, Texas, in Northeast Texas, United States. Its population was 13,271 at the 2020 census. Henderson is named for James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas.
Highway 7 is a north–south state highway that runs across the state of Arkansas. As Arkansas's longest state highway, the route runs 297.27 miles (478.41 km) from Louisiana Highway 558 at the Louisiana state line north to Bull Shoals Lake at Diamond City near the Missouri state line. With the exception of the segment north of Harrison, Highway 7 has been designated as an Arkansas Scenic Byway and a National Forest Scenic Byway. The road passes through the heart of both the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains, and features scenic views. It's the route favored by motorcycle riders touring the region.
Jane Ross was a prominent American businesswoman and philanthropist from Clark County, Arkansas.
Little Rock is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The city's population was 202,591 as of the 2020 census. The six-county Little Rock metropolitan area is the 81st-most populous in the United States with 748,031 residents according to the 2020 census.
Highway 8 is an east–west state highway in Lower Arkansas. The route of 229.83 miles (369.88 km) runs from Oklahoma State Highway 63 (SH-63) at the Oklahoma state line east across the state to US Route 65 (US 65) south of Eudora.
The Henderson State Reddies is the school mascot and athletic emblem for Henderson State University, located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Henderson athletic teams compete in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports and they are members of the Great American Conference for all 12 varsity sports.
The Ouachita Baptist Tigers football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Ouachita Baptist University located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The team competes in NCAA Division II and are members of the Great American Conference. Ouachita Baptist's first football team was fielded in 1896. The team plays its home games at Cliff Harris Stadium / Benson-Williams Field in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The Tigers are coached by Todd Knight.
The Battle of the Ravine is an American college football rivalry game played annually by Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University. The football rivalry game is tied for the oldest rivalry game in NCAA Division II, alongside the Black Hills Brawl. The current, full title is the "Southern Bancorp Battle of the Ravine".
William Richard Womack is a businessman from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, who is a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. His District 18 includes portions of Clark, Dallas, Hot Spring, and Garland counties. He was initially elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2014.
Highway 51 is a designation for two north–south state highways in Southwest Arkansas. One route of 53.37 miles (85.89 km) begins Highway 53 near Whelen Springs and runs north to US Highway 67 in Donaldson. A second route of 7.92 miles (12.75 km) runs parallel to US 270 northwest of Malvern. Both routes are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT).