Walnut Ridge, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
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Walnut Ridge historic rail depot and now Amtrak station
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Location in Lawrence County, Arkansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Lawrence |
| Area | |
| • Total | 16.62 sq mi (43.05 km2) |
| • Land | 16.62 sq mi (43.05 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 272 ft (83 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,384 |
| • Density | 323.95/sq mi (125.08/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
72476
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-72890 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0078686 |
Walnut Ridge is a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the county seat, which means it's where the county government is located. In 2020, about 5,384 people lived there.
Walnut Ridge is right next to Hoxie. These two towns together form a larger area with around 8,000 residents. Williams Baptist University is also in Walnut Ridge. It used to be in a separate town called College City, but that area joined Walnut Ridge in 2017.
Contents
History of Walnut Ridge
Walnut Ridge officially became a city in 1875. This happened because a railroad line was built through the area. Before that, there was a small settlement called Old Walnut Ridge nearby, which started around 1860.
The Beatles' Visit to Walnut Ridge
In 1964, the famous band the Beatles made a brief stop at the Walnut Ridge Regional Airport. They were traveling to and from a private retreat in Missouri. This short visit became a big deal for the city. It inspired a special monument, a public plaza, and even a music festival in Walnut Ridge.
Geography and Location
Walnut Ridge is located in the northeastern part of Lawrence County. This area is known as the Upper Delta region of northeastern Arkansas. The city of Hoxie borders Walnut Ridge to the south.
Major Roads and Highways
Several important roads pass through or near Walnut Ridge:
- U.S. Route 412 goes through the center of the city on Main Street. It leads east to Paragould (about 26 miles) and northwest to Hardy (about 39 miles).
- Interstate 57 and U.S. Route 67 pass along the east side of Walnut Ridge. This four-lane highway goes north to Pocahontas (about 14 miles) and southwest to Newport (about 40 miles).
- Arkansas Highway 34 starts in the center of Walnut Ridge on Front Street. It goes northeast to Delaplaine (about 17 miles).
Walnut Ridge's Natural Features
The city of Walnut Ridge covers about 16.62 square miles (43.05 square kilometers) of land. There are no large bodies of water within the city limits. Village Creek flows through the western part of the city. This creek eventually leads southwest to the White River near Newport.
Climate in Walnut Ridge
Walnut Ridge has a climate known as "Humid Subtropical." This means it has relatively high temperatures. It also gets a good amount of rain spread out throughout the year.
Population and People
The population of Walnut Ridge has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 301 | — | |
| 1890 | 457 | 51.8% | |
| 1900 | 845 | 84.9% | |
| 1910 | 1,798 | 112.8% | |
| 1920 | 2,226 | 23.8% | |
| 1930 | 2,007 | −9.8% | |
| 1940 | 2,013 | 0.3% | |
| 1950 | 3,106 | 54.3% | |
| 1960 | 3,547 | 14.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,800 | 7.1% | |
| 1980 | 4,152 | 9.3% | |
| 1990 | 4,388 | 5.7% | |
| 2000 | 4,925 | 12.2% | |
| 2010 | 4,890 | −0.7% | |
| 2020 | 5,384 | 10.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Walnut Ridge?
According to the 2020 United States census, there were 5,384 people living in Walnut Ridge. There were 1,754 households and 1,230 families. Most residents identify as White (non-Hispanic). The city is also home to people of various other backgrounds, including Black or African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and those of mixed races. About 3.36% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
Education in Walnut Ridge
Most students in Walnut Ridge attend public schools managed by the Lawrence County School District. This district includes Walnut Ridge Elementary School and Walnut Ridge High School. Some parts of the city are in the Hoxie School District, which operates Hoxie High School. The Walnut Ridge School District used to be separate. However, on July 1, 2006, it joined with the Black Rock School District to form the current Lawrence County School District.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Walnut Ridge has several ways to get around and important facilities.
Train Station
The city has the Walnut Ridge station, which is a stop for trains.
Highways in Walnut Ridge
Here are the main highways that serve Walnut Ridge:
I-57 / US 67
U.S. 67 Business
U.S. 412
U.S. 412 Business
Highway 34
Highway 91
Airport in Walnut Ridge
The city also has its own airport, the Walnut Ridge Regional Airport (KARG).
Famous People from Walnut Ridge
Several notable people have connections to Walnut Ridge:
- James T. Conway: He was the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps, a very high-ranking position in the military.
- Michelle Gray: A member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the Republican party. She used to live in Walnut Ridge.
- David J. Sanders: He is a member of the Arkansas State Senate.
- Ehron VonAllen: An electronic musician and singer.
- Washboard Sam: A famous blues musician.
- Glenn Yates Jr.: An architect and a state legislator in Virginia.
Images for kids
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Walnut Ridge historic rail depot and now Amtrak station
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Location in Lawrence County, Arkansas
See also
In Spanish: Walnut Ridge para niños
