Paris, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paris, Arkansas
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Location in Logan County, Arkansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Logan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.85 sq mi (12.56 km2) |
| • Land | 4.57 sq mi (11.83 km2) |
| • Water | 0.28 sq mi (0.73 km2) |
| Elevation | 430 ft (130 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,176 |
| • Density | 695.27/sq mi (268.46/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
72855
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| Area code(s) | 479 |
| FIPS code | 05-53480 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404472 |
Paris is a city located in Logan County, Arkansas, United States. It's one of the two main towns (called a county seat) for Logan County, helping to manage the northern part of the county. In 2020, about 3,176 people lived here.
Contents
Where is Paris, Arkansas?
Paris is found in a river valley close to the Arkansas River. It's part of the Ozark Mountain region in northwest Arkansas. The city covers about 4.8 square miles (12.5 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
How Many People Live in Paris?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 547 | — | |
| 1900 | 836 | 52.8% | |
| 1910 | 1,497 | 79.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,740 | 16.2% | |
| 1930 | 3,234 | 85.9% | |
| 1940 | 3,430 | 6.1% | |
| 1950 | 3,731 | 8.8% | |
| 1960 | 3,007 | −19.4% | |
| 1970 | 3,646 | 21.3% | |
| 1980 | 3,991 | 9.5% | |
| 1990 | 3,674 | −7.9% | |
| 2000 | 3,707 | 0.9% | |
| 2010 | 3,532 | −4.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,176 | −10.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Paris Population in 2020
In 2020, the city of Paris had 3,176 residents. These people lived in 1,418 households, and 923 of these were families.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 2,709 | 85.3% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 73 | 2.3% |
| Native American | 32 | 1.01% |
| Asian | 30 | 0.94% |
| Other/Mixed | 192 | 6.05% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 140 | 4.41% |
Life in Paris in 2010
Back in 2010, Paris had 3,532 people. There were 1,553 households. About 28.6% of households had children under 18. Many households (46%) were married couples.
The average age in the city was 40 years old. About 23.8% of the population was under 18. The median income for a household was $25,424. For families, it was $32,409.
A Brief History of Paris
The first settlers came to this area around 1820. The village of Paris grew on an old military road. This road connected Little Rock and Fort Smith. The town was named after the capital of France in 1874. Paris officially became a city on February 18, 1879.
The town built a simple wooden courthouse. The old town prison was built a few blocks away. This prison is now the Logan County Museum.
Paris's Economy Over Time
In the past, coal mining was a very important industry here. By the 1890s, Paris was a busy city with about 800 people. It had newspapers, stores, and even an academy. Coal mining was the main job until the 1960s.
After mining slowed down, leaders looked for new ways to support the town. Today, Paris has factories that make parts for cars and planes. Farming and ranching are still big industries. Tourism has also grown, especially with Mount Magazine State Park nearby. About 400,000 people visit Mount Magazine each year.
The Paris Express Newspaper
The Paris Express newspaper started in 1880. It is the oldest business that has been running continuously in Paris. William M. Greenwood owned and published the paper for 46 years. Over time, the newspaper changed owners several times. In 1977, the Paris Express and another paper, the Paris Progress, combined. Today, the Paris Express is still published weekly. It has a circulation of 3,600 copies.
Schools in Paris
The Paris School District has three public schools:
- Paris Elementary
- Paris Middle School
- Paris High School
There is also a private school:
- Saint Joseph Catholic School
Another nearby school is:
- Subiaco Abbey Academy
Fun Places to Visit
- Mount Magazine State Park is home to the highest point in Arkansas. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
- Logan County Museum is in the old town jail building. You can see exhibits about local mining, railroads, and old tools.
- Cove Lake Recreation Area is a beautiful spot close to Mount Magazine.
Local Festivals and Events
- Frontier Day is held on the first Saturday of October. It celebrates the first people who settled in the city.
- Butterfly Festival happens in June. It honors the many butterflies found on Mount Magazine. A special butterfly, the Diana fritillary, which was thought to be rare, is found here. This butterfly is now the official state butterfly of Arkansas!
- Farmers Market starts in May. Local farmers sell fresh produce in the town square.
Famous People from Paris
- James Bridges: A famous writer and director for movies.
- Jon Eubanks: A Republican who represents Paris in the Arkansas House of Representatives.
- Paul Gibson: An NFL football player and a champion in hurdles.
- Zilphia Horton: A community organizer, teacher, and folklorist.
- R. H. Sikes: A professional golfer who won two PGA Tour events.
- Bill Walters: A lawyer and lawmaker.
- James Lee Witt: He was the director of FEMA under President Bill Clinton.
- Bob Wootton: A guitarist for Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Three.
See also
In Spanish: Paris (Arkansas) para niños
