West Helena, Arkansas

Last updated
West Helena, Arkansas
City
ARMap-doton-West Helena.png
Location of West Helena, Arkansas
Coordinates: 34°32′45″N90°38′40″W / 34.54583°N 90.64444°W / 34.54583; -90.64444
Country United States
State Arkansas
County Phillips
Area
 • Total4.4 sq mi (11.5 km2)
 • Land4.4 sq mi (11.5 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
[1]
253 ft (77 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total8,689
 • Density1,956.6/sq mi (755.4/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
72390
Area code 870
FIPS code 05-74450
GNIS feature ID0058852 [1]

West Helena is the western portion of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2000 census, this portion of the city population was 8,689.

Contents

Historically, West Helena and its sister city Helena, located on the Mississippi River, have been two of the focal points in the history of the development of the blues.[ citation needed ] The cities consolidated on January 1, 2006. Helena is the birthplace of Arkansas' former senior United States senator, Blanche Lincoln.

Geography

West Helena is located at 34°32′45″N90°38′40″W / 34.54583°N 90.64444°W / 34.54583; -90.64444 (34.545702, -90.644346). [2]

According to the United States Census Bureau, West Helena had a total area of 4.4 square miles (11 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920 6,226—
1930 4,489−27.9%
1940 4,7175.1%
1950 6,10729.5%
1960 8,38537.3%
1970 11,00731.3%
1980 11,3673.3%
1990 9,695−14.7%
2000 8,565−11.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [3]

As of the census [4] of 2000, there were 8,689 people, 3,204 households, and 2,223 families residing in West Helena. The population density was 1,956.6 inhabitants per square mile (755.4/km2). There were 3,518 housing units at an average density of 792.2 per square mile (305.9/km2). The racial makeup of West Helena was 32.77% White, 65.69% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,204 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 29.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.32.

In West Helena, the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.5 males.

The median income for a household in West Helena was $21,130, and the median income for a family was $25,014. Males had a median income of $22,971 versus $17,225 for females. The per capita income for West Helena was $11,234. About 30.9% of families and 35.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 49.5% of those under age 18 and 27.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Helena-West Helena School District operates schools in what was West Helena.

Schools in the former West Helena. [5]

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, West Helena has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [11]

Notable people

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References

  1. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: West Helena, Arkansas
  2. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  3. ↑ "Decennial Census Official Publications". U.S. Census Bureau.
  4. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "CENSUS 2000 Block Map: WEST HELENA city" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved 2019-11-02. - Index Map - See Page 1 and Page 2
  6. ↑ "Central High School". Helena-West Helena School District. 2004-06-10. Archived from the original on 2004-06-10. Retrieved 2019-11-02. Central High School 103 School Road West Helena, AR 72390
  7. ↑ "Miller Junior High". Helena-West Helena School District. 2004-07-06. Archived from the original on 2004-07-06. Retrieved 2019-11-02. Central High School 103 School Road West Helena, AR 72390
  8. ↑ "Beechcrest Elementary School". Helena-West Helena School District. 2004-06-06. Archived from the original on 2004-06-06. Retrieved 2019-11-02. Beechcrest Elementary School 1020 Plaza West Helena, AR 72390
  9. ↑ "Beechcrest Elementary School". Helena-West Helena School District. 2004-05-29. Archived from the original on 2004-05-29. Retrieved 2019-11-02. Westside Elementary School 339 S. Ashlar St. West Helena, AR 72390
  10. ↑ "Woodruff Elementary School". Helena-West Helena School District. 2004-05-29. Archived from the original on 2004-05-29. Retrieved 2019-11-02. Woodruff Elementary School 805 Cleburne West Helena, AR 72390
  11. ↑ "West Helena, Arkansas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  12. ↑ Matt Collar. "Odessa Harris: Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  13. ↑ Bob L. Eagle; Eric S. LeBlanc (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. Praeger Publishing. p. 166. ISBN   978-0313344237 . Retrieved 2015-12-14.
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