Bethel Heights, Arkansas Facts for Kids

Bethel Heights was a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. Always a small, sparsely populated community, the region coalesced around a school named Bethel in the late 19th century but did not incorporate until 1967 to avoid annexation by larger neighboring communities. The town offered police and fire protection and wastewater service to residents, but sent students to Springdale Public Schools and purchased water from Springdale Water Utilities. By the 21st century, Northwest Arkansas was gaining population rapidly, and Bethel Heights reincorporated as a city and grew from a population of 714 in 2000 to 2,372 at the 2010 census. Growth put pressure on the city's subsurface discharge wastewater treatment system, and following a series of wastewater treatment plant violations, voters dissolved the city and completely annexed into Springdale in August 2020.

Geography
Demographics
Education
Infrastructure
- Utilities
Images for kids
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Geography

Bethel Heights is located in southern Benton County at 36°13′22″N 94°7′40″W / 36.22278°N 94.12778°W / 36.22278; -94.12778 (36.222843, -94.127671). It is bordered by Springdale to the east, south, and west, and by Lowell to the north. U.S. Route 71 (Thompson Street) runs north–south along the western side of the city, and Arkansas Highway 264 runs east–west through the center of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), of which 0.015 square miles (0.04 km²), or 0.69%, is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1970	284	—
1980	296	4.2%
1990	281	−5.1%
2000	714	154.1%
2010	2,372	232.2%
2020	3,015	27.1%
U.S. Decennial Census 2014 Estimate

As of 2010 Bethel Heights had a population of 2,372. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 49.7% non-Hispanic white, 1.9% black or African American, 1.4% Native American, 3.0% Asian, 8.3% Pacific Islander, 21.6% from some other race, 2.2% from two or more races, and 34.7% Hispanic or Latino.

As of the census of 2000, there were 714 people, 251 households, and 211 families residing in the town. The population density was 109.4/km² (282.8/mi²). There were 261 housing units at an average density of 40.0/km² (103.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.16% White, 1.54% Native American, 2.52% Asian, 1.82% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races. 3.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 251 households, out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.1% were married couples living together, 3.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.9% were non-families. 13.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.10.

The city's population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $48,750, and the median income for a family was $51,172. Males had a median income of $33,438 versus $26,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,001. About 1.9% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Early residents established Benton County School District #66, and a small school known as Bethel or New Kirk, around Bethel Heights in the late 19th century. This school remained independent until consolidation with Springdale Public Schools in 1948. In 2018, Springdale Public Schools became the largest school district in the state with over 23,000 students. Bethel Heights students were zoned for graduation from Springdale High School.

Infrastructure

A yard sign urges opposition to the city's consolidation with Springdale across the street from emergency sewage treatment units installed on Bethel Heights city property in response to court orders.

Utilities

The City provided wastewater service via a STEP system, installed in 2003. Bethel Heights struggled to maintain compliance with Arkansas Department of Health and Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality regulations. The system was out of compliance from August 2013 to January 2017, with sewage surfacing in neighbors' fields, livestock poisonings, multiple violations and fines resulting in a consent administrative order. Violations had continued in 2018 and 2019.

Potable water service was provided by Springdale Water Utilities. Following the sewer system violations, a moratorium on new water system connections was established in June 2019.

American Electric Power (AEP/SWEPCO) and Carroll Electric Cooperative provided electric power in Bethel Heights. Franchise utilities that served the community include AT&T, Black Hills Energy, and Cox Communications.