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 (pronounced /ˈɑːrkənsɔː/) is a small town located in Desha County, Arkansas, in the United States. It's known as the county seat of Desha County, which means it's where the main government offices for the county are located. In 2020, about 376 people lived there. The Arkansas City Commercial District, a historic area downtown, is a special place listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of Arkansas City
Arkansas City became an official town on September 12, 1873. It was made the county seat of Desha County in 1879. For the next 40 years, it grew into a busy riverport. This meant it was an important place where boats could stop and trade goods.
The town had a natural harbor for steamboats and two railway lines. It was a lively place with many businesses. In 1891, an opera house was moved to Arkansas City. This building was used for many things, like a town hall, a ballroom for dancing, and a place for performances.
The Great Flood of 1927
Before the Great Flood of 1927, Arkansas City was a very important center for business and culture. It was one of the busiest ports on the Mississippi River. However, the flood caused huge damage to the town. More than 2,000 people had to be rescued from the rising waters. After the flood, the riverport closed down, and the railroads were no longer needed. This changed the town a lot.
Geography of Arkansas City
Arkansas City covers an area of about 0.5 square miles (1.28 square kilometers), and all of it is land. The town is located in a flat area known as the Delta Lowlands, which is part of the Arkansas Delta region.
Population of Arkansas City
The number of people living in Arkansas City has changed over the years. In 1880, about 503 people lived there. The population grew to over 1,400 by the 1910s and 1920s. After the big flood in 1927, the population started to decrease. By 2010, there were 366 people, and in 2020, the population was 376.
| Historical population | |||
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| 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 in Arkansas City
Students in Arkansas City attend schools that are part of the McGehee School District.
In the past, Arkansas City had its own school district, called the Arkansas City School District. It had two schools: Arkansas City Elementary School and Arkansas City High School. In 2004, a new law in Arkansas said that small school districts with fewer than 350 students had to join with other districts. So, on July 1, 2004, the Arkansas City district merged with the McGehee district. For a while, the McGehee district kept the Arkansas City campus open as a school for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. However, by October 2005, the school building was no longer used for classes.
Notable People from Arkansas City
- John H. Johnson, who started a big media and beauty company that created magazines like Ebony and Jet.
- Robert S. Moore Jr., a farmer and politician who served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013.
- Henry Thane, a businessman and politician who served in the Arkansas Senate from 1883 to 1887.
See also
In Spanish: Arkansas City (Arkansas) para niños
