Jonesboro, Arkansas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jonesboro, Arkansas
City
City of Jonesboro
Clockwise from top: Craighead County Courthouse, a house in the West Washington Avenue Historic District, downtown Jonesboro, and the Dean B. Ellis Library at Arkansas State University
Seal
Motto(s):  "People, Pride, Progress"
Location of Jonesboro in Craighead County, Arkansas.
Jonesboro, Arkansas Location in Arkansas Show map of Arkansas Jonesboro, Arkansas Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Craighead
Incorporated	February 19, 1859
Area
• City	80.73 sq mi (209.09 km2)
• Land	80.18 sq mi (207.66 km2)
• Water	0.55 sq mi (1.43 km2)
Elevation	276 ft (84 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	78,579
• Estimate  (2023)	80,650
• Density	973.36/sq mi (375.814/km2)
• Metro	135,287
Time zone	UTC−06:00 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−05:00 (CDT)
ZIP Codes	72401-72405
Area code(s)	870
FIPS code	05-35710
GNIS feature ID	2404811

Jonesboro (/ˈdʒoʊnzbʌrə/) is a city located on Crowley's Ridge in the northeastern corner of the U.S. State of Arkansas. Jonesboro is one of two county seats of Craighead County. In 2023, the city had an estimated population of 80,560, making it the fifth-most populous city in Arkansas. In 2020, the Jonesboro metropolitan area had a population of 134,196, and the Jonesboro-Paragould Combined Statistical Area had a population of 179,932.

Jonesboro is the home of Arkansas State University and is the cultural and economic center of Northeast Arkansas.

History

The Jonesboro area was first inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous peoples. At the time of European encounter, historic tribes included the Osage, the Caddo, and the Quapaw. The name of the state of Arkansas comes from the Quapaw language. French and Spanish traders and trappers had relations with these groups.

After the United States acquired this territory in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, American settlers eventually made their way to the area where Jonesboro is located. They began exploring, hunting, trapping, and trading with the local Indian tribes. A permanent settlement of Jonesboro was set up shortly after 1815.

In 1859, land was taken from nearby Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett counties and was used to form Craighead County. Jonesboro was designated as the original county seat. As the population increased in the west of the county, Lake City was named as the second seat. In 1859 Jonesboro had 150 residents. It was named after State Senator William A. Jones in recognition of his support for the formation of Craighead County. Originally spelled Jonesborough, the city name was later shortened to its present-day spelling.

The Bell House is one of twelve Jonesboro sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

During the late 19th century, the city tried to develop its court system and downtown infrastructure. Shortly after being named county seat, the highest point in Jonesboro was identified and a court house was planned for construction. This was delayed for several years as the locals did not want to ruin their deer hunting. The first court house was finally completed but was destroyed by a fire in 1869. A store across from this site was rented and used as a court house. It was destroyed in an 1876 fire. Another building was constructed on the same site, but it fell to a fire in 1878, a major one that destroyed most of downtown Jonesboro. Soon afterward, another court house was constructed, and it still stands.

The St. Louis Southwestern Railway, known as the Cotton Belt Railroad was constructed through Jonesboro, with its tracks passing just north of the center of the city. During the first train's journey, it became stuck and supplies had to be carried into town. It connected St. Louis to points in Arkansas and Texas. Other major railways began to construct tracks to and from Jonesboro, including the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway and Missouri Pacific Railroad. Some of the rail companies still own and use the tracks that run through Jonesboro.

The city set up the Jonesboro School District in 1899. In 1900, St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center was established by the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters. The Grand Leader Department Store, the first department store in the city, was opened in 1900. Woodland College and two schools within the Jonesboro School District were opened in 1904. Arkansas State College (now Arkansas State University) was established in 1909, a year in which the first horseless carriages were driven in the city. The two oldest churches of the city were started in the 1910s. First Baptist Church was founded in 1911, and First Methodist Church in 1916.

On September 10, 1931, Governor Harvey Parnell authorized the Arkansas National Guard to be deployed in Jonesboro to quell the Church War, a clash between the followers of Joe Jeffers and Dow H. Heard, the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. Jeffers' supporters also attacked the mayor and police chief, resulting in front page coverage of the incident in The New York Times.

During the 20th century, Jonesboro began to diversify its economy, with industrial businesses that allowed it to grow beyond the cotton culture. The university attracts educated residents.

In the 2007-2008 school year the Jonesboro Public School District elementary schools were reclassified as magnet schools.

Geography

Jonesboro is located at 35°49′41″N 90°41′39″W / 35.82806°N 90.69417°W / 35.82806; -90.69417 (35.828067, -90.694048) atop Crowley's Ridge in northeastern Arkansas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 80.5 square miles (208.4 km²), of which 79.9 square miles (206.9 km²) is land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km²), or 0.72%, is water.

Demographics

It is the principal city of the Jonesboro, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 78,576 people, 29,688 households, and 19,637 families residing in the city.

2013

As of the census of 2013, there were 71,551 people, 26,111 households, and 16,637 families residing in the city. The population density was 697.1 people per square mile (269.1/km²). There were 28,321 housing units at an average density of 304.7 per square mile (117.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.7% White, 18.4% Black, 0.4% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 5.2% of the population were Hispanic.

There were 26,111 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. There are 878 unmarried partner households: 776 heterosexual, 50 same-sex male, and 52 same-sex female households. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 16.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,196, and the median income for a family was $42,082. Males had a median income of $21,633 versus $31,633 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,884. About 12.9% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The Mall at Turtle Creek entrance

The Mall at Turtle Creek, opened in 2006, was the largest mall in northeast Arkansas and was the only enclosed mall constructed in the country that year. The mall closed in 2020 due to tornado damage; currently, the only stores in operation at Turtle Creek are Dillard's, JCPenney, and Target. Before The Mall at Turtle Creek opened, Indian Mall, named for the former mascot of Arkansas State University, was the primary shopping destination in northeast Arkansas. The Indian Mall was demolished in 2012.

Arts and culture

Points of interest

Craighead Forest Park is a city-owned park located on Crowley's Ridge featuring a 60-acre fishing lake, camping facilities, hiking/biking trails, nature areas, picnic sites and recreational fields.

Crowley's Ridge Parkway runs through Jonesboro. It was designated one of Arkansas' Scenic Byways in 1997, and it was designated Arkansas' first National Scenic Byway in 1998.

In 2004 the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission opened the 160-acre Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center in south Jonesboro, adjacent to Craighead Forest Park. The center includes exhibits on the origins and history of the Ridge, wildlife, educational models and displays, land and water features, hiking trails, an observation tower and an auditorium.

Located on the ASU campus, the Arkansas State University Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums and features 21,000 square feet of historic, archaeological, and natural history exhibits. The museum focuses on the history and cultural heritage of Northeast Arkansas and the Mississippi River Delta region.

Education

Higher education

Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro. New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine maintains a second location on Arkansas State University's campus in Wilson Hall.

The Northeast Arkansas Career & Tech Center is also located in Jonesboro.

Elementary and secondary education

The Dean B. Ellis Library at Arkansas State University's main campus

There are six public school districts operating within the city limits of Jonesboro:

• Jonesboro School District
• Valley View School District
• Nettleton School District
• Westside Consolidated School District
• Bay School District
• Brookland School District

Prior to School integration in the United States, a separate set of schools was maintained for White and Black children. Booker T. Washington High School provided education for Black children from surrounding areas under contract at until the schools were finally integrated. Jonesboro was a leader in educating African-American Children.

Media

Infrastructure

Transportation

Air service

The region is served by the Jonesboro Municipal Airport.

Public transport

The city is served by the Jonesboro Economic Transit System (JETS). As of 2011, JETS operates three fixed routes, as well as para-transit service for disabled persons. Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Greyhound Lines.

List of highways

Notable people

See also

In Spanish: Jonesboro (Arkansas) para niños