Vilonia, Arkansas Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Vilonia, Arkansas
City
Drone Flyover, Welcome Sign, Veterans Memorial, Baseball Fields, Fire Department, Veterans Museum
Location of Vilonia in Faulkner County, Arkansas.
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Faulkner
Incorporated	1938
Area
• City	7.98 sq mi (20.66 km²)
• Land	7.97 sq mi (20.65 km²)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km²)
Elevation	312 ft (95 m)
Population (2020)
• City	4,288
• Density	537.82/sq mi (207.66/km²)
• Metro	748,031
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	72173
Area code(s)	501
FIPS code	05-71960
GNIS feature ID	2405655

Vilonia City Hall, a local government building.

Vilonia is a city located in Faulkner County, Arkansas, in the United States. In 2020, about 4,288 people lived there. It's part of the Central Arkansas area.

History of Vilonia
Tornadoes in Vilonia
- 2011 Tornado Impact
- 2014 Tornado Impact
Where is Vilonia Located?
Population Changes in Vilonia
Education in Vilonia
Notable People from Vilonia
Images for kids
See also

History of Vilonia

Vilonia started as a settlement called Vilsonia in 1861. By 1870, it had important businesses. These included a cotton gin (which separates cotton fibers), a gristmill (for grinding grain), and general stores. There was also a drug store.

In 1873, the town's name changed to Vilonia due to a mistake. A schoolhouse was built in 1874 on what is now U.S. Highway 64. The first post office opened in 1879. In 1887, a blacksmith shop started.

A college called Arkansas Holiness College was built in Vilonia in 1905. It closed sometime in the 1930s and later burned down. Vilonia officially became a city on August 23, 1938. Thomas H. Hill was the first mayor.

Tornadoes in Vilonia

Vilonia has been hit by powerful tornadoes. These storms caused significant damage to the city.

2011 Tornado Impact

On April 25, 2011, a tornado struck a small part of Vilonia. It mainly hit a mobile home park. Weather experts confirmed it was a high-end EF2 tornado. Sadly, four people in the Vilonia area lost their lives.

2014 Tornado Impact

Another very strong tornado hit Vilonia on April 27, 2014. This violent EF4 tornado first passed through Mayflower. It then moved into Vilonia around 7:50 p.m.

This storm caused widespread destruction. Sixteen people died. Many homes were completely swept away from their foundations. A large 15-ton fertilizer tank was thrown almost a mile. Several businesses were damaged or destroyed. This included the new Vilonia Intermediate School, which was supposed to open that fall.

Experts said this tornado was so strong that it might have been rated F5 if it had happened before 2007. The EF4 rating was kept because of how the buildings were constructed.

On May 7, 2014, President Barack Obama visited Vilonia. He came to see the damage and the efforts to rebuild the city. He was joined by Governor Mike Beebe and other leaders.

Where is Vilonia Located?

Vilonia is in the southeastern part of Faulkner County. It is located at coordinates 35°4′38″N 92°12′45″W.

U.S. Highway 64 goes south of the city. This highway leads west about 13 miles to Conway. Conway is the main city of Faulkner County. To the east, the highway goes about 21 miles to Beebe.

The United States Census Bureau says Vilonia covers about 7.98 square miles (20.66 square kilometers). Only a tiny part of this area, about 0.004 square miles (0.01 square kilometers), is water.

Population Changes in Vilonia

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1940	259	—
1950	215	−17.0%
1960	234	8.8%
1970	423	80.8%
1980	736	74.0%
1990	1,133	53.9%
2000	2,106	85.9%
2010	3,815	81.1%
2020	4,288	12.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

The population of Vilonia has grown a lot over the years. In 2020, there were 4,288 people living in the city. There were 1,432 households and 1,211 families.

Education in Vilonia

Most students in Vilonia attend public schools. These schools are part of the Vilonia School District. Students can go from early childhood programs all the way to Vilonia High School.

There are also several colleges nearby. These include Arkansas State University: Beebe Campus, Central Baptist College, Hendrix College, and the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

Notable People from Vilonia

J. B. Chapman (1884–1947) was a minister. He was president of Arkansas Holiness College and Peniel College. He also edited a religious newspaper and was a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene.