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Searcy, Arkansas
Part of historic downtown Searcy
Part of historic downtown Searcy
Motto(s): 
Pride – Progress – Potential "The city where thousands live as millions wish they could."[1]
Location of Searcy in White County, Arkansas.
Location of Searcy in White County, Arkansas.
Country United States
State Arkansas
County White
Founded 1838
Incorporated 1851
Area
 • Total 18.41 sq mi (47.69 km2)
 • Land 18.32 sq mi (47.44 km2)
 • Water 0.10 sq mi (0.25 km2)
Elevation
245 ft (80 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 22,937
 • Density 1,252.22/sq mi (483.50/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
72143, 72145, 72149
Area code(s) 501
FIPS code 05-63020
GNIS feature ID 0078309

Searcy ( SUR-see) is the largest city and county seat of White County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2019 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 23,767. It is the principal city of the Searcy, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of White County. The city takes its name from Richard Searcy, a judge for the Superior Court of the Arkansas Territory. A college town, Searcy is the home of Harding University and ASU-Searcy.

History

Israel Moore, who had traveled west from Philadelphia, was in charge of laying out Searcy's original streets, and "he proceeded to name the major streets of Searcy for those of downtown Old Philadelphia near Independence Hall; Race, Arch, Market, Vine, Spring, and the tree-honoring streets of Cherry, Spruce, Locust and Pine." In 1957, Searcy named Moore Street after the 19th-century founder.

Spring Street also has a namesake in Old City Philadelphia, but it, along with downtown Searcy's Spring Park, may refer to the early history of the Searcy area, when the community was known as White Sulphur Springs. As early as 1834, local springs with purported therapeutic properties initially drew visitors to the area, similar to the popular attraction to Hot Springs.

During the American Civil War, the Battle of Whitney's Lane was fought near Searcy though the exact site is disputed. Searcy Landing, on the Little Red River, is the final resting place for some Union Army soldiers.

Searcy was incorporated on August 6, 1851,

Searcy was a stop on the defunct Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad, which provided passenger and freight service from 1906 to 1946 from Joplin, Missouri, to Helena in Phillips County in eastern Arkansas.

On August 9, 1965, 53 contract workers were killed in a fire in a LGM-25C Titan II missile silo outside Searcy. It was one of the largest industrial accidents in American history.

Despite having lost many factory jobs in the late 20th century, Searcy has recently experienced an economic revitalization. Much of the new revenue is derived from the leasing of mineral rights to natural gas companies. Some residents express concern about the environmental impact of the extensive drilling projects that have taken place. With the decline of gas and oil exploration, Searcy unemployment now averages 33% higher than the national unemployment average.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.8 square miles (38 km2), of which 14.7 square miles (38 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.54%) is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Searcy has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 621
1870 874 40.7%
1880 840 −3.9%
1890 1,203 43.2%
1900 1,995 65.8%
1910 2,331 16.8%
1920 2,836 21.7%
1930 3,387 19.4%
1940 3,670 8.4%
1950 6,024 64.1%
1960 7,272 20.7%
1970 9,040 24.3%
1980 13,612 50.6%
1990 15,180 11.5%
2000 18,928 24.7%
2010 22,858 20.8%
2020 22,937 0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Searcy racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 17,461 76.13%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,439 10.63%
Native American 77 0.34%
Asian 401 1.75%
Pacific Islander 12 0.05%
Other/Mixed 1,300 5.67%
Hispanic or Latino 1,247 5.44%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 22,937 people, 8,205 households, and 4,810 families residing in the city.

2014

As of the census of 2014, there were 23,768 people, 8,140 households, and 4,495 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,287.4 people per square mile (497.2/km2). There were 9,244 housing units at an average density of 503.6 per square mile (194.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.8% White, 7.5% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. 4.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,140 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.5% under the age of 18, 23.4% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,415, and the median income for a family was $41,334. Males had a median income of $32,445 versus $21,142 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,427. About 11.7% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the U.S. poverty threshold, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

One of the state's largest banks, First Security Bank, was established in downtown Searcy in 1932 as Security Bank.

In July 1978, Walmart opened its first distribution center (outside of Bentonville) in eastern Searcy. The facility is still open as a Sam's Club distribution center, while an additional larger facility has since opened in southern Searcy to service Walmart stores. The company has also operated a retail location in eastern Searcy (near the city's original distribution center) since the 1970s, originating as an earlier "Discount City" format that grew into a more common "supercenter" format over the course of two relocations farther eastward; a Neighborhood Market grocery location was added in more recent years in western Searcy.

In recent years, ITT, Maytag, and Kohler closed large factories in the city. Many companies associated with natural gas that supported the brief natural gas boom have also left the city and the economy has suffered. According to the online real estate database Zillow, housing prices have lost approximately 8% of value since 2012.

Latina Imports and Latina Nursery are also located in Searcy and is one of the largest female, Hispanic-owned companies in Arkansas.

Sales tax for purchases in Searcy is higher than the state average, at 9.5%.

Education

Public schools

Searcy is served by two public school districts. Searcy Public Schools — including Searcy High School, three elementary schools and middle and junior high campuses — serve all but the far eastern portion of the city. That portion of the city is within the Riverview School District, which operates Riverview High School. The Riverview district is the result of a consolidation, effective July 1, 1991, of the Judsonia, Kensett, and Griffithville school districts. Previously, the Riverview portion of Searcy was part of the Kensett school district; Riverview High School was built in eastern Searcy following the consolidation.

Searcy Public Schools campuses include:

  • Searcy High School
  • Ahlf Junior High School
  • Southwest Middle School
  • McRae Elementary
  • Sidney Deener Elementary
  • Westside Elementary

Riverview High School and Riverview Junior High School are in Searcy, while the Riverview School District is served by two elementary schools outside of the city limits.

Private schools

  • Harding Academy is a K-12 college preparatory school enrolling more than 600 students. Harding University oversees the school, which resides adjacent to the university campus.
  • Liberty Christian School (K – 6)
  • CrossPointe Preparatory, a school affiliated with the National Association of University-Model Schools, opened in 2009.
  • Sunshine School

Colleges and universities

  • Harding University, a private, Christian university affiliated with the Churches of Christ founded in 1924, has its main campus in Searcy. Harding moved to Searcy in 1934 from Morrilton. The university has developed and expanded to include 49 buildings on more than 350 acres (1.4 km2). With more than 6,100 students, Harding University is the largest private university in Arkansas.
  • A campus of Arkansas State University is located in Searcy. Formerly operating as Foothills Technical Institute, it is a technical campus of nearby Arkansas State University Beebe, and offers several two-year programs. In order to create drilling jobs for local populace, the Searcy campus has partnered in training with the natural gas industry that is developing local natural resources.

Notable people

  • Mike Beebe, former Governor of Arkansas
  • Ed Bethune, former U. S. representative, 1979-1985
  • George W. Bond, educator
  • Stephen Mark Brown, opera singer
  • John Paul Capps, politician
  • Weston Dacus, NFL linebacker
  • Bryce Mitchell, Mixed Martial Artist in the UFC
  • Les Eaves, state representative for White County since 2015
  • James Hannah, Chief Justice of Arkansas Supreme Court
  • Eugene Lambert, basketball and football coach

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Searcy (Arkansas) para niños

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