Waldo, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waldo, Arkansas
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Waldo c.1910
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Location of Waldo in Columbia County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Columbia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.20 sq mi (5.69 km2) |
| • Land | 2.19 sq mi (5.68 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 358 ft (109 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,151 |
| • Density | 524.61/sq mi (202.59/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−05:00 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
71770
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-72350 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405659 |
Waldo is a city located in Columbia County, Arkansas, in the United States. In 2010, about 1,372 people lived there. By 2020, the population was 1,151.
Contents
A Look Back: Waldo's History
Waldo celebrated its 120th birthday as a city in 2007. This small community was once a very busy train town. It was an important stop on the Cotton Belt train route.
Today, you can visit a rail museum in Waldo. It has many displays that show the city's history with trains.
Changes Over Time
In the 1950s, Waldo's population started to get smaller. This happened because a nearby city, Magnolia, began to attract more businesses and jobs.
Waldo was also famous for its high school basketball teams, the Waldo High School Bulldogs. These teams often made it to the playoffs. They even won the state championship many times. Even though Waldo School closed in 2005, people in the community still remember its great sports history.
Historic Waldo Water Tower
The Waldo Water Tower is a special landmark. It was finished in 1936 by the Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Co.. This tower is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Waldo's Location and Landscape
Waldo is found in the northwestern part of Columbia County. If you travel about 7 miles (11 km) northwest on U.S. Route 371, you will reach Magnolia. Magnolia is the main city of Columbia County.
Area and Surroundings
The United States Census Bureau says that Waldo covers a total area of about 2.20 square miles (5.7 km2). All of this area is land.
Waldo is in South Arkansas, close to the northern border of Louisiana. Because of this, it has a warm, humid climate. This weather is similar to places further south, like Louisiana. The area also has flat, wet areas and swamps. Most of the land in and around Waldo is covered with pine or hardwood forests.
Who Lives in Waldo?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 709 | — | |
| 1900 | 929 | 31.0% | |
| 1910 | 597 | −35.7% | |
| 1920 | 704 | 17.9% | |
| 1930 | 942 | 33.8% | |
| 1940 | 1,240 | 31.6% | |
| 1950 | 1,491 | 20.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,722 | 15.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,658 | −3.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,685 | 1.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,495 | −11.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,594 | 6.6% | |
| 2010 | 1,372 | −13.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,151 | −16.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Waldo's Population in 2020
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 274 | 23.81% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 822 | 71.42% |
| Native American | 1 | 0.09% |
| Other/Mixed | 39 | 3.39% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 15 | 1.3% |
In 2020, the United States census counted 1,151 people living in Waldo. There were 558 households and 329 families in the city at that time.
Learning in Waldo: Education
The Magnolia School District serves the community of Waldo. This district includes Magnolia High School.
Before 2006, Waldo had its own school district, the Waldo School District. This district ran Waldo Elementary School for grades K-6 and Waldo High School for grades 7-12. On July 1, 2006, the Waldo district joined with the Magnolia district.
Getting Around: Highways
Major Roads in Waldo
U.S. Highway 371
Arkansas Highway 98
Famous People from Waldo
Many interesting people have come from Waldo, Arkansas. Some of them include:
- Mujahid Abdul-Karim, a leader of the Imam Mahdi Movement.
- Chris DeFrance, a professional football player.
- Travis Jackson, a baseball shortstop who is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Sytia Messer, a college basketball coach.
- Travis E. Watkins, who received the Medal of Honor for his brave actions during the Korean War.
See also
In Spanish: Waldo (Arkansas) para niños
