Arkansas City, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arkansas City, Arkansas
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| Town of Arkansas City | |
Downtown Arkansas City
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Location in Desha County and Arkansas
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 Arkansas City, Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| County | Desha |
| Township | Franklin |
| Incorporated | September 12, 1873 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.49 sq mi (1.28 km2) |
| • Land | 0.49 sq mi (1.28 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 138 ft (42 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 376 |
| • Density | 764.23/sq mi (294.89/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
71630
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-01990 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403112 |
Arkansas City is a town in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 376 at the 2010 census. The town is the county seat of Desha County. Arkansas City Commercial District, located at Desoto Avenue and Sprague Street, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History
Arkansas City, since 1879 the county seat of Desha County, was incorporated by the Chicot County Court on September 12, 1873, being then, and for some years later, in Chicot County. From 1879, it grew into a thriving riverport for the next forty years. It had a natural harbor for steamboats and two railways, as well as fourteen saloons and three sawmills. An opera house was moved to Arkansas City in 1891. The building was also used as an unofficial "town hall"; at other times it became a ballroom, and citizens danced to music of groups from Memphis, Tennessee.
Until the flood of 1927, Arkansas City was an important commercial and cultural center and one of the most important ports on the Mississippi River. The flood devastated the settlement. More than 2,000 people had to be rescued. As a result, the riverport closed and made the railroads unnecessary.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2), all land. It sits entirely in the Delta Lowlands sub-region of the Arkansas Delta.
Demographics
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 193 | 51.33% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 162 | 43.09% |
| Native American | 1 | 0.27% |
| Other/Mixed | 13 | 3.46% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 7 | 1.86% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 376 people, 174 households, and 140 families residing in the city.
1880-2020 census
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 503 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,091 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,485 | 36.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,482 | −0.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,432 | −3.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,446 | 1.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,018 | −29.6% | |
| 1960 | 783 | −23.1% | |
| 1970 | 615 | −21.5% | |
| 1980 | 668 | 8.6% | |
| 1990 | 523 | −21.7% | |
| 2000 | 589 | 12.6% | |
| 2010 | 366 | −37.9% | |
| 2020 | 376 | 2.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Education
Arkansas City is served by the McGehee School District.
Previously the Arkansas City School District served Arkansas City. The district had two schools, Arkansas City Elementary School and Arkansas City High School. In 2004 the Arkansas Legislature approved a law that forced school districts with fewer than 350 students apiece to consolidate with other districts. On July 1, 2004, the Arkansas City district merged into the McGehee district. After the acquisition, the McGehee district continued to operate the Arkansas City campus as a K-6 school. By October 2005 the district no longer operated the Arkansas City facility.
Notable people
- John H. Johnson, founder of an international media and cosmetics empire that includes Ebony and Jet.
- Robert S. Moore Jr., farmer and politician, served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013
- Henry Thane, businessman and politician, served in the Arkansas Senate from 1883 to 1887
See also
In Spanish: Arkansas City (Arkansas) para niños
