ARKADELPHIA, ARKANSAS

'Arkadelphia' is a city located in Clark County, Arkansas. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 10,548. Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arkansas The city is the county seat of Clark County.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

Etymology

Origin

Recreation

Notable former or present citizens

Education

Transportation

References

External links

Geography

Arkadelphia is located at (34.121920, -93.066178).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.1 km² (7.4 mi²). 19.0 km² (7.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.41% water.
Local population: 10,548 (2005)
County: Clark Population: 23,401
U.S. Region: West Central Arkansas (the Ouachita Mountain Region).
Closest metro areas: Hot Springs (29 mi. north), Little Rock (63 mi. north)
The city is situated at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Two universities, Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University, are located there.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,912 people, 3,865 households, and 2,187 families residing in the city. The population density was 574.0/km² (1,486.2/mi²). There were 4,216 housing units at an average density of 221.8/km² (574.2/mi²). 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. 2.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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 is 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 population was spread out with 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 are 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 $25,671, and the median income for a family was $40,479. Males had a median income of $30,152 versus $19,459 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,268. 24.9% of the population and 17.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 25.8% of those under the age of 18 and 15.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Etymology

The city's name ''Arkadelphia'' was formed by combining ''Ark-'' from the state's name ''Arkansas'' and ''adelphia'' as in Philadelphia.[1] Several towns in the area took similar names (e.g., Dalark, named for its location in ''Dal''las County, ''Ark''ansas).
Arkadelphia was once known as the "City of Rainbows".

Origin

The site was settled in about 1811 by John Hemphill, operator of a nearby salt works. It was known as 'Blakelytown' until 1838, when the settlement adopted its present name of Arkadelphia. [2]

Recreation

Hiking through the Ouachita National Forest is a popular pastime around Arkadelphia. The DeGray Lake State Park has camping, water sports, golf, and hiking. Sailing and fishing are also popular. Arkadelphia Aquatic Park is a water park open during the summer months.

Notable former or present citizens

★ Jody Evans

★ Cliff Harris

★ Arthur Hodges

★ W. Francis McBeth

★ Beth Moore

★ Terry Nelson[3]

★ Bob C. Riley (deceased) -- former lieutenant governor of Arkansas

★ Jerry Thomasson (deceased) -- former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives and two-time Republican candidate for Arkansas attorney general

★ Allen Williams

★ Billy Bob Thornton

★ Kevin Williams - Defensive tackle for the NFL team the Minnesota Vikings

Education

★ Henderson State University

★ Ouachita Baptist University

Transportation

★ Arkadelphia (Amtrak station)

References

External links

★ Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce

★ City of Arkadelphia

★ Arkadelphia Public Schools

★ Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry: Arkadelphia (Clark County)