kids encyclopedia robot

Springdale, Arkansas facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Springdale, Arkansas
Spring Creek runs through downtown Springdale, including through Turnbow Park
The old Springdale High School, now home to the Springdale Public Schools administrative offices
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in downtown Springdale
Tyson Foods headquarters on Don Tyson Parkway
Baseball game in Arvest Ballpark
The historic commercial center of Springdale, Emma Avenue
Clockwise from top: Spring Creek runs through Turnbow Park, the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Northwest Arkansas Naturals play at Arvest Ballpark, historic commercial center of Springdale, Emma Avenue, the Tyson Foods World Headquarters, and Old Springdale High School
Official seal of Springdale, Arkansas
Seal
Nickname(s): 
The Poultry Capital Of The World
Location of Springdale in Benton County and Washington County, Arkansas.
Location of Springdale in Benton County and Washington County, Arkansas.
Springdale, Arkansas is located in the United States
Springdale, Arkansas
Springdale, Arkansas
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Arkansas
Counties Washington, Benton
Founded 1838
Government
 • Type Mayor-City council
Area
 • City 49.70 sq mi (128.73 km2)
 • Land 49.20 sq mi (127.42 km2)
 • Water 0.51 sq mi (1.31 km2)
Elevation
1,322 ft (403 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City 84,161
 • Density 1,710.69/sq mi (660.50/km2)
 • Metro
546,725
Time zone UTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
72762, 72764-66
Area code(s) 479
FIPS code 05-66080
GNIS feature ID 0078436
NWA metro population as of 2019

Springdale is the fourth-largest city in Arkansas, United States. It is located in both Washington and Benton counties in Northwest Arkansas. Located on the Springfield Plateau deep in the Ozark Mountains, Springdale has long been an important industrial city for the region. In addition to several trucking companies, the city is home to the world headquarters of Tyson Foods, the world's largest meat producing company. Originally named Shiloh, the city changed its name to Springdale when applying for a post office in 1872. The four-county Northwest Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area is ranked 109th in terms of population in the United States with 463,204 in 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau. The city had a population of 69,797 at the 2010 Census.

Springdale has been experiencing a population boom in recent years, as indicated by a 133% growth in population between the 1990 and 2010 censuses. During this period of rapid growth, the city has seen a new Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, the establishment of a Springdale campus of Northwest Arkansas Community College and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals minor league baseball team move into Arvest Ballpark. Tyson remains the city's top employer, and is visible throughout the city. Many public features bear the Tyson name, including the Randal Tyson Recreational Complex, Don Tyson Parkway, Helen Tyson Middle School, John Tyson Elementary and Don Tyson School of Innovation. Governor Mike Beebe signed an act into law recognizing Springdale as "The Poultry Capital Of The World" in 2013.

History

Springdale was founded in 1838 and was originally known as Shiloh.

In 1840, a Baptist church was founded in the town. The building was burned down during the Civil War but rebuilt in 1868. In 1878, the town was incorporated with the name of Springdale.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 108.9 square miles (282 km2), of which, 108.3 square miles (280 km2) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) of it, or 0.62%, is water. The city limits extend north into southern Benton County. Springdale is bordered by the cities of Cave Springs, Lowell, and Bethel Heights to the north, by Elm Springs and Tontitown to the west, and by Johnson and Fayetteville to the south.

The city is located in both Benton and Washington counties along Interstate 49/US Highway 62/US Highway 71 (I-49/US 62/US 71). This is the only fully controlled access route through the area, which replaced the winding US 71 (now US 71B) in the 1990s. An interstate connection with Fort Smith to the south and Kansas City, Missouri to the north has greatly helped to grow Springdale. Within Washington County, Springdale is bordered along the south by Fayetteville and Johnson. In some locations, this transition is seamless. The city extends west and east along Highway 412 toward Tontitown and Beaver Lake, respectively.

Geology

Springdale is located on the Springfield Plateau, a subset of The Ozarks which run through northwest Arkansas, southern Missouri, and Northeastern Oklahoma. In the Springdale area, sandstones and shales were deposited on top of the Springfield Plateau during the Pennsylvanian Period. These were eroded after the Ouachita orogeny and uplift, exposing Mississippian limestone formations of the Springfield Plateau visible today.

Metropolitan area

The Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers Metropolitan Area consists of three Arkansas counties: Benton, Madison, and Washington, and McDonald County, Missouri. The area had a population of 347,045 at the 2000 census which had increased to 463,204 by the 2010 Census (an increase of 33.47 per cent).

Climate

Springdale lies in the humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen Cfa) with influence from the humid continental climate type. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

July is the hottest month of the year, with an average high of 89 °F (32 °C) and an average low of 69 °F (21 °C). Temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C) are uncommon but not rare, occurring on average twice a year, with 57 days over 90 °F (32 °C) annually. January is the coldest month with an average high of 46 °F (8 °C) and an average low of 26 °F (−3 °C). The city's highest temperature was 111 °F (43.9 °C), recorded in 1954. The lowest temperature recorded was −24 °F (−31 °C), in 1899. Precipitation is weakly seasonal, with a bimodal pattern: wet seasons in the spring and fall, and relatively drier summers and winters, but some rain in all months.

Climate data for Springdale, Arkansas (1981–2010 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 76
(24)
86
(30)
96
(36)
96
(36)
95
(35)
104
(40)
111
(44)
109
(43)
105
(41)
96
(36)
90
(32)
78
(26)
111
(44)
Average high °F (°C) 46
(8)
51
(11)
59
(15)
69
(21)
76
(24)
84
(29)
89
(32)
89
(32)
81
(27)
70
(21)
59
(15)
48
(9)
68.4
(20.2)
Average low °F (°C) 26
(−3)
30
(−1)
38
(3)
47
(8)
56
(13)
65
(18)
69
(21)
68
(20)
59
(15)
47
(8)
38
(3)
29
(−2)
47.6
(8.7)
Record low °F (°C) −23
(−31)
−24
(−31)
−11
(−24)
18
(−8)
28
(−2)
41
(5)
48
(9)
44
(7)
29
(−2)
17
(−8)
5
(−15)
−12
(−24)
−24
(−31)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.55
(65)
2.49
(63)
4.02
(102)
4.30
(109)
4.20
(107)
4.77
(121)
3.22
(82)
3.05
(77)
4.56
(116)
4.10
(104)
4.33
(110)
3.04
(77)
44.63
(1,134)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 3.0
(7.6)
2.7
(6.9)
1.2
(3.0)
0.1
(0.25)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0.7
(1.8)
0.9
(2.3)
8.6
(22)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 5.1 6.6 6.5 7.1 7.9 7.4 8.1 5.8 5.6 5.0 4.8 4.9 74.8
Average relative humidity (%) 72 67 62 63 71 71 71 71 69 70 64 68 68
Source 1: The Weather Channel
Source 2: Weather Base, Used for precipitation days and humidity; 11 years of data available.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 249
1890 1,146 360.2%
1900 1,251 9.2%
1910 1,755 40.3%
1920 2,263 28.9%
1930 2,763 22.1%
1940 3,319 20.1%
1950 5,835 75.8%
1960 10,076 72.7%
1970 16,783 66.6%
1980 23,458 39.8%
1990 29,941 27.6%
2000 45,798 53.0%
2010 69,797 52.4%
2020 84,161 20.6%
Encyclopedia of Arkansas
History and Culture

As of the census of 2010, there were 69,797 people, 22,805 households, and 16,640 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 64.7% White, 1.8% Black, 1.8% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 5.7% Pacific Islander, 22% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. 35.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,678 households, out of which 41.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.54.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,523, and the median income for a family was $46,407. Males had a median income of $31,495 versus $26,492 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,645. 21.3% of the population and 17.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 33.6% of those under the age of 18 and 6.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

56.8% of Springdale's population describes themselves as religious, slightly above the national average of 48.8%. 25.6% of people in Springdale who describe themselves as having a religion are Baptist (14.5% of the city's total population). 12.5% of people holding a religion are Catholic (7.1% of the city's total population).

The city is home to the largest community of Marshall Islanders in the United States, which dates to the 1980s, when one Marshall Islander arrived in the city to work for Tyson Foods and subsequently spread word of plentiful jobs to others in the islands. The Marshall Islands opened a consulate in the city in 2008.

2010 Census

The Asian Amigo Supermarket represents the intersection of Asian and Hispanic populations in Springdale.

According to the 2010 US Census, the total population was 69,797. Of this, 45,185 (64.74%) were White, 15,332 (21.97%) were some other race, 3,976 (5.70%) were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders, 2,011 (2.88%) were two or more races, 1,363 (1.95%) were Asian, 1,251 (1.79%) were Black or African American, 679 (0.97%) were American Indian or Alaska Native. 24,592 (35.38%) were Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

2020 Census

Springdale racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 34,543 41.04%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 1,733 2.06%
Native American 544 0.65%
Asian 1,791 2.13%
Pacific Islander 8,662 10.29%
Other/Mixed 3,601 4.28%
Hispanic or Latino 33,287 39.55%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 84,161 people, 26,443 households, and 19,475 families residing in the city.

2010 Census

According to the 2010 US Census, the total population was 69,797. Of this, 45,185 (64.74%) were White, 15,332 (21.97%) were some other race, 3,976 (5.70%) were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders, 2,011 (2.88%) were two or more races, 1,363 (1.95%) were Asian, 1,251 (1.79%) were Black or African American, 679 (0.97%) were American Indian or Alaska Native. 24,592 (35.38%) were Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

Points of interest

Economy

Top Employers
Springdale Chamber of Commerce
# Employer # of Employees
1 Tyson Foods 4,300
2 George's 2,500
3 Springdale Public Schools 2,235
4 Cargill Meat Solutions 1,200
5 Northwest Medical Center-Springdale 900
6 Rockline Industries 535
7 A.E.R.T. 500
8 Harps Food Stores 495
9 Kawneer 465
10 Multi-Craft Contractors 400

Region

The economy of Northwest Arkansas was historically based upon agriculture and poultry. In recent decades, Northwest Arkansas has seen rapid growth and diversification of its economy based upon the three Fortune 500 companies based there—Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt—while also seeing a growing University of Arkansas and cultural amenities sector. Although impacted by the Great Recession, Northwest Arkansas' economy fared better than most peer metropolitan areas, the state of Arkansas and the United States overall. Between 2007 and 2013, the region saw unemployment rates significantly below those of peer regions and the national average; while also seeing a 1% net growth of jobs. The region's gross domestic product grew 7.0% over the aforementioned time period and bankruptcies, building permits, and per capita incomes are returning to pre-Recession rates.

The professional, education, and health care sectors of Northwest Arkansas' economy have been growing steadily since 2007. Between 2007 and 2013, the region has seen a growth of 8,300 jobs in the region, with 6,100 added in education and health professions and 4,300 jobs added in the leisure and hospitality jobs related to the region's cultural amenities. The government and transportation sectors have remained relatively constant between 2007 and 2013, however the manufacturing sector has seen steady decline, mirroring national averages. The construction and real estate sectors saw large declines attributable to the poor housing market during the economic downturn.

City

Tyson World Headquarters
Tyson World Headquarters

Springdale has a robust poultry processing industry, including large hatcheries and/or processing plants owned and operated by Tyson Foods, Cargill, and George's throughout the city. Since Tyson Foods and George's are based in the city, a host of administrative/executive/support staff is also employed in Springdale to support these large operations. Springdale also has a variety of industrial/manufacturing employers present in the city, including Apex Tool Group, Ball Corporation, Brunner & Lay, Dayco Products, and Pratt & Whitney. This strong industrial sector differentiates the city among the four large principal cities of Northwest Arkansas.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Aviation

The Springdale Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport located near downtown Springdale. Commercial air service in Northwest Arkansas is available from Northwest Arkansas National Airport in Highfill.

Major highways

  • I-49 (AR 1957).svg Interstate 49
  • US 62 (1961).svg US Route 62
  • US 71 (1961).svg US Route 71
  • US 412 (AR).svg US Route 412 Business
  • US 71B.svg US Route 71 Business
  • Arkansas 112.svg Highway 112
  • Arkansas 264.svg Highway 264
  • Arkansas 265.svg Highway 265

The major through route in Springdale is Interstate 49/US 71/US 62 (the concurrent routes are unsigned and thus the route is simply known as I-49 in Springdale). This fully controlled access, four-lane expressway is a discontinuous piece of a route ultimately planned to connect Kansas City, Missouri to New Orleans, Louisiana. Formerly designated as Interstate 540 with the re-designation as Interstate 49 being granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration in 2014, the highway became the first freeway in the area when it was completed in the 1990s to relieve the former US 71 (now US 71B) of a much-increased demand of through travelers following the unanticipated and rapid growth of Northwest Arkansas. Future plans for the I-49 corridor include completion of a freeway segment through the Ouachita Mountains to Texarkana and completion of a Bella Vista Bypass to the north.

US Route 71B intersects US 412, Springdale, AR
US 412 and US 71B briefly overlap in Springdale along Thompson Avenue

Major north–south routes, from west to east:

  • Highway 112 - This route serves as the western boundary of Springdale along much of its routing. Connecting Fayetteville to the south and Bentonville to the north while also passing through Elm Springs, the state highway is commonly used as an alternative to I-49.
  • Gene George Boulevard - This road connects Don Tyson Parkway and Arvest Ballpark in southwest Springdale to Elm Springs Road
  • I-49 - This Interstate is the primary route through NWA. Springdale exits include Don Tyson Parkway, Sunset Avenue (US 412), Elm Springs Road and Wagon Wheel Road.
  • 40th Street - Slightly east of I-49, this surface street is used as an alternative to I-49 for local traffic.
  • Carley Road - This road runs south from Sunset Ave to Johnson.
  • Gutensohn Road/Silent Grove Road - This road begins at Sunset Ave and runs north as Gutensohn Road until meeting Huntsville Ave, when it changes names to Silent Grove Road and continues north to Lowell
  • Johnson Road - This road begins at Sunset Ave and runs south to Johnson.
  • Thompson Street - Known as US 71B, which was the predecessor to I-49/US 71/US 62. This route is a main commercial thoroughfare as well as an unofficial neighborhood boundary in Springdale.
  • Arkansas Highway 265/Old Missouri Road - This route first was used by Native Americans as the Great Osage Trail, followed by Civil War troops bound for Fort Smith, Arkansas, the Trail of Tears, the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach route, and later still the telegraph.

Major east–west routes, listed from south to north:

  • Don Tyson Parkway - The major southern corridor in Springdale, this four-lane road was built in sections and completed in 2007. An interchange with I-49 was completed in 2014.
  • US 412/Sunset Avenue/Robinson Ave - The only through east–west road in Springdale, this state highway connects Siloam Springs to the west with Huntsville in the east. Sunset Ave is the principal commercial avenue in Springdale, with dozens of hotels, restaurants and offices along the road. US 412 intersects Thompson Ave (US 71B) in midtown Springdale, and the routes briefly overlap. Following this overlap, US 412 continues east as Robinson Avenue toward Beaver Lake.
  • Emma Avenue - The primary east–west street in downtown Springdale, portions are designated as historic districts. The road was formerly a through street but was broken into two segments by the construction of a new Springdale High School in 2009.
  • Elm Springs Road/Huntsville Avenue - Known as Elm Springs Road near I-49, this road becomes Huntsville Road in midtown Springdale and passes through a primary industrial area.
  • Backus Avenue - Connects 40th Street and Thompson Ave through a residential area.
  • Randall Wobbe Lane - A short street connecting Thompson Avenue and Old Missouri Road through an industrial area.
  • Wagon Wheel Road - This road is a four-lane road beginning at I-49 that runs east to the former Bethel Heights. East of Thompson Ave it is a state highway (Highway 264).
  • Highway 612 - Completed in 2018 and known as the Springdale Northern Bypass, this fully controlled access highway connects Highway 112 with I-49; future plans include a full bypass of the city

Public transit

The City of Springdale's major provider of public transportation is Ozark Regional Transit. The bus-based regional transit system runs throughout Washington and Benton Counties and is administrated by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD).

Notable people

  • Albert E. Brumley, southern gospel music composer, member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
  • George W. Bond, educator in Springdale; later president of Louisiana Tech University
  • Kevin Carson, author and contemporary individualist anarchist and mutualist theorist
  • The Duggar family from TLC's 19 Kids and Counting.
    • Jim Bob Duggar, member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1999 until 2002.
  • Jenee Fleenor, singer-songwriter named 2019 Country Music Association Musician of the Year
  • Ronnie Floyd, Cross Church pastor and president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2014 to 2016
  • Joshua Frazier, former professional football player
  • Kiehl Frazier, 2010 USA Today High School Football Offensive Player of the Year, Auburn University and later Ouachita Baptist University quarterback
  • Megan Godfrey, Democratic politician representing Springdale in the Arkansas House from 2019 to present
  • Josh Hawley, Republican U. S. Senator from Missouri
  • Asa Hutchinson, Republican politician representing the Arkansas 3rd from 1997 to 2001, 46th Governor of Arkansas from 2015 to present
  • Timothy Chad Hutchinson, lawyer in Fayetteville; Republican former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
  • Rhett Lashlee, former quarterback for the University of Arkansas and current offensive coordinator for Miami Hurricanes football
  • Greg Leding, Democratic politician representing Fayetteville in the Arkansas House from 2011 to 2019, and part of Washington County from 2019 to present
  • Robin Lundstrum, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Benton and Washington counties since 2015; businesswoman in Springdale
  • Gus Malzahn, former Auburn Tigers football coach and current UCF Knights football coach
  • Mitch Mustain, former Arkansas Razorbacks and Southern Cal Trojans quarterback
  • Micah Neal, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Springdale; operator of Neal's Café
  • Danny L. Patrick, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Madison and Carroll counties from 1967 to 1970
  • Zack Pianalto, former professional football player
  • Carolyn Pollan, Republican politician represented Sebastian County in the Arkansas House from 1975 to 1999
  • Harry L. Steele, U.S. Army major general
  • Don Tyson, CEO and chairman of Tyson Foods from 1967 to 1991
  • John W. Tyson, founder and CEO of Tyson Foods from 1935 until his death in 1967
  • John H. Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods from 1998 to present
  • Hugh Franklin Waters, United States District Judge of the Western District of Arkansas from 1981 to 2002
  • Damian Williams, former NFL wide receiver
  • Jon Woods, musician and Republican politician representing Springdale in the Arkansas House and Senate from 2007 to 2017, later convicted of fraud and money laundering

Images for kids

See also

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

kids search engine
Springdale, Arkansas Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.