Rector, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rector, Arkansas
|
|
|---|---|
Main Street (AR 90)
|
|
Location of Rector in Clay County, Arkansas.
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Clay |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.36 sq mi (3.53 km2) |
| • Land | 1.36 sq mi (3.53 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 292 ft (89 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 1,862 |
| • Density | 1,366.10/sq mi (527.58/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
72461
|
| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-58490 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404599 |
Rector is a city in southeastern Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,977 at the 2010 census.
Contents
History
Rector is named after Governor Henry Massey Rector (1816–1899).
In 1881 the Texas and St. Louis Railroad laid out the town of Rector about 2 miles (3 km) to the south of an existing settlement named Scatterville, and the population of Scatterville gradually migrated to the new town.
Geography
Rector is located in southern Clay County along the southeastern edge of Crowley's Ridge. U.S. Route 49 passes through the city, leading northeast 13 miles (21 km) to Piggott and southwest 7 miles (11 km) to Marmaduke. In the southern part of the city, Arkansas Highway 90 (Main Street) intersects US 49.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Rector has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.5 km2), all land.
Though a small portion of the town and surrounding area lies along Crowley’s Ridge, the majority of the town and surrounding land is flat and well-suited to farming.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 525 | — | |
| 1900 | 520 | −1.0% | |
| 1910 | 1,859 | 257.5% | |
| 1920 | 1,801 | −3.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,617 | −10.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,736 | 7.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,855 | 6.9% | |
| 1960 | 1,757 | −5.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,990 | 13.3% | |
| 1980 | 2,336 | 17.4% | |
| 1990 | 2,268 | −2.9% | |
| 2000 | 2,017 | −11.1% | |
| 2010 | 1,977 | −2.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,862 | −5.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,693 | 90.92% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 12 | 0.64% |
| Native American | 11 | 0.59% |
| Asian | 1 | 0.05% |
| Pacific Islander | 3 | 0.16% |
| Other/Mixed | 81 | 4.35% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 61 | 3.28% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,862 people, 805 households, and 460 families residing in the city.
Annual cultural events
The Rector Labor Day Picnic features a rodeo, a parade, beauty pageants, and is a popular political campaign stop.
Education
Public education is primarily provided by the Rector School District, which leads to graduation from Rector High School. The Rector School District was known as Clay County Central School District from 1985 until 2000. The current school district mascot is the cougar.
Notable people
- Dale Alford, member of the United States House of Representatives
- Jerry Bookout, Arkansas politician
- Bill Carter, entertainment, law, Gaither Homecoming Videos
- Maurice Copeland, actor
- Edwin A. Doss, colonel for the United States Air Force
- Skeets McDonald, Rockabilly artist, famous for the song "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes"
See also
In Spanish: Rector (Arkansas) para niños
