Rector, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rector, Arkansas
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Main Street (AR 90)
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Location of Rector in Clay County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Clay |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.36 sq mi (3.53 km2) |
| • Land | 1.36 sq mi (3.53 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 292 ft (89 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,862 |
| • Density | 1,366.10/sq mi (527.58/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
72461
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-58490 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404599 |
Rector is a city located in the southeastern part of Clay County, Arkansas, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,862 people lived there. It's a friendly place with a rich history.
Contents
A Look at Rector's Past
Rector got its name from Henry Massey Rector, who was a governor of Arkansas. He lived from 1816 to 1899.
The town of Rector was officially started in 1881. This happened when the Texas and St. Louis Railroad built new tracks. They set up the town about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of an older settlement called Scatterville. Over time, people from Scatterville moved to the new town of Rector.
Where is Rector?
Rector is in the southern part of Clay County. It sits along the southeastern edge of a unique landform called Crowley's Ridge.
U.S. Route 49 goes right through the city. If you go northeast on this road, you'll reach Piggott in about 13 miles (21 km). If you head southwest, you'll get to Marmaduke in about 7 miles (11 km).
Inside Rector, Arkansas Highway 90 (which is also Main Street) crosses U.S. Route 49. The city covers a total area of about 1.36 square miles (3.5 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
Even though a small part of Rector is on Crowley's Ridge, most of the town and the land around it is flat. This flat land is perfect for farming.
People in Rector
The number of people living in Rector has changed over the years. Here's a quick look at the population counts from different years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 525 | — | |
| 1900 | 520 | −1.0% | |
| 1910 | 1,859 | 257.5% | |
| 1920 | 1,801 | −3.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,617 | −10.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,736 | 7.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,855 | 6.9% | |
| 1960 | 1,757 | −5.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,990 | 13.3% | |
| 1980 | 2,336 | 17.4% | |
| 1990 | 2,268 | −2.9% | |
| 2000 | 2,017 | −11.1% | |
| 2010 | 1,977 | −2.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,862 | −5.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Rector's Population in 2020
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 1,862 people living in Rector. These people lived in 805 households, and 460 of those were families.
Most people in Rector are White. There are also smaller numbers of people from other racial backgrounds.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,693 | 90.92% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 12 | 0.64% |
| Native American | 11 | 0.59% |
| Asian | 1 | 0.05% |
| Pacific Islander | 3 | 0.16% |
| Other/Mixed | 81 | 4.35% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 61 | 3.28% |
Fun Events in Rector
One of the biggest events in Rector is the Annual Labor Day Picnic. This celebration includes a rodeo, a lively parade, and even beauty pageants. It's also a popular place for politicians to visit and talk about their plans.
Learning in Rector
Kids in Rector go to public schools run by the Rector School District. Students can attend Rector High School until they graduate. The school district was once known as the Clay County Central School District from 1985 to 2000. Today, the school mascot is the cougar.
Famous People from Rector
Several notable people have come from Rector:
- Dale Alford – He was a member of the United States House of Representatives.
- Jerry Bookout – An Arkansas politician.
- Bill Carter – Known for his work in entertainment and law. He also appeared in Gaither Homecoming Videos.
- Maurice Copeland – An actor.
- Edwin A. Doss – A colonel in the United States Air Force.
- Skeets McDonald – A Rockabilly music artist. He was famous for his song "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes".
Images for kids
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A robot for kids.
