Dierks, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dierks, Arkansas
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Location of Dierks in Howard County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Howard |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.92 sq mi (4.97 km2) |
| • Land | 1.92 sq mi (4.97 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 443 ft (135 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 916 |
| • Density | 477.33/sq mi (184.28/km2) |
| Time zone | Central |
| • Summer (DST) | Central |
| ZIP code |
71833
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-18970 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404228 |
Dierks is a small city located in Howard County, Arkansas, in the United States. In 2020, about 916 people lived there. This number was a bit smaller than in 2010, when 1,133 people called Dierks home.
Contents
History of Dierks
Dierks was once known by a different name: "Hardscrabble." The city's name was changed to "Dierks" to honor Hans Dierks. He was the oldest of four brothers who owned a big company called the Dierks Lumber and Coal Company. In 2007, Dierks celebrated its 100th birthday!
Tornado in 2009
On April 9, 2009, strong thunderstorms hit southwest Arkansas. They caused a powerful tornado, known as an EF3 tornado. This tornado destroyed the city's water treatment plant. Luckily, people from the Arkansas Rural Water Association helped out. They set up a temporary water connection from a nearby town. The National Guard also brought in special machines to clean water. Even the Boy Scouts of America helped by giving water to families who needed it.
Flood in 2019
In July 2019, Dierks experienced a lot of rain very quickly. Over 17 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours! This caused major flooding and damaged many homes and businesses. Thankfully, no one was hurt or died during this flood.
Wildfire in 2024
On October 29, 2024, a large wildfire started near Dierks. It began when sparks flew from a semi-truck trailer dragging chains on Highway 278. The fire quickly grew, burning over 150 acres of forest. Fire departments from Dierks and nearby towns, along with forestry teams, worked together. They managed to control the fire within seven hours. No buildings were lost, and no one was injured.
Geography of Dierks
Dierks is in the northern part of Howard County. It sits near the southern edge of the Ouachita Mountains. The city is in a valley next to Holly Creek, which flows into the Saline River.
Two main roads pass through Dierks:
- U.S. Route 70 goes through the city on Front Street and Main Avenue. It leads northeast to Glenwood (about 36 miles away) and southwest to De Queen (about 21 miles away).
- U.S. Route 278 also goes through Dierks. It travels north with US 70 for a bit before turning northwest towards Wickes (about 32 miles from Dierks). US 278 also runs east out of Dierks, heading southeast to Nashville (about 19 miles away).
The city of Dierks covers an area of about 1.9 square miles (4.9 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
Dierks Lake
Just seven miles northwest of the city is Dierks Lake. This is a large reservoir on the Saline River. It's a popular spot for fishing and has three areas where people can camp: Jefferson Ridge, Blue Ridge, and Horseshoe Bend.
Climate in Dierks
Dierks has a climate with hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
Population of Dierks
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 272 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,495 | 449.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,544 | 3.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,459 | −5.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,253 | −14.1% | |
| 1960 | 1,276 | 1.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,159 | −9.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,249 | 7.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,263 | 1.1% | |
| 2000 | 1,230 | −2.6% | |
| 2010 | 1,133 | −7.9% | |
| 2020 | 916 | −19.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Information
In 2020, there were 916 people living in Dierks. These people made up 376 households, and 213 of those were families.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 793 | 86.57% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 5 | 0.55% |
| Native American | 19 | 2.07% |
| Other/Mixed | 32 | 3.49% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 67 | 7.31% |
Education in Dierks
Students in Dierks attend public schools run by the Dierks School District.
Schools in Dierks
- JoAnn Walters Elementary School: This school teaches students from pre-kindergarten up to 6th grade.
- Dierks High School: This school is for students in grades 7 through 12. The school's sports teams are called the Outlaws, and their mascot is a horse. The school colors are royal blue and white. In 1975, the Outlaws football team won the Class B state championship, which is the only state championship in the school's history!
Public Library
The Dierks Branch Library is part of the Southwest Arkansas Regional Library system. It's a great place to find books and learn new things.
Fun Events in Dierks
Dierks celebrates its history of logging (cutting down trees for wood) with an annual event called the Pine Tree Festival. It happens every year on the first weekend in August at Jack Clawson Memorial Park.
At the festival, you can find:
- Many vendors selling different things.
- Games and fun activities all weekend long.
- A loader contest (where people show off skills with logging equipment).
- A BBQ cook-off.
- A tractor show and a car show.
- A talent show.
The festival usually ends with a concert featuring a country music singer or group. Some famous performers who have been there include Craig Morgan, Reba McEntire, and Hank Williams, Jr..
See also
In Spanish: Dierks para niños
