West Fork, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Fork, Arkansas
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Historic Woolsey Bridge over the West Fork, White River
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| Motto(s):
"Where the best begins!"
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Location of West Fork in Washington County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Washington |
| Founded | 1848 |
| Incorporated | May 18, 1885 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.73 sq mi (9.67 km2) |
| • Land | 3.67 sq mi (9.50 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.17 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,362 ft (415 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,331 |
| • Density | 635.84/sq mi (245.47/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
72774
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| Area code(s) | 479 |
| FIPS code | 05-74360 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405707 |
West Fork is a small city located in Washington County, Arkansas, in the United States. It's known for its friendly community and beautiful natural surroundings. In 2020, about 2,331 people lived there. West Fork is part of the larger Northwest Arkansas area.
Contents
History of West Fork
West Fork became an official city in 1885. Before that, it was a smaller settlement.
Geography and Location
West Fork is located in a lovely area with mountains nearby. It sits at about 1,358 feet (414 meters) above sea level. The city covers a total area of about 3.3 square miles (8.5 square kilometers). Almost all of this area is land.
Population and People
West Fork has grown quite a bit over the years. Here's how its population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 343 | — | |
| 1940 | 392 | 14.3% | |
| 1950 | 359 | −8.4% | |
| 1960 | 350 | −2.5% | |
| 1970 | 919 | 162.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,526 | 66.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,607 | 5.3% | |
| 2000 | 2,042 | 27.1% | |
| 2010 | 2,317 | 13.5% | |
| 2020 | 2,331 | 0.6% | |
| Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture |
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In 2000, there were 2,042 people living in West Fork. About 41% of the homes had children under 18 living there. The average age of people in the city was 33 years old.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
The West Fork of the White River flows right through the eastern part of the town. This river is why the town is named "West Fork."
Riverside Park
Next to the river, you'll find Riverside Park. This is a popular place for people to have parties and family get-togethers. The park has fun playground equipment for kids. It also has several covered areas called pavilions. You can find many benches and a walking path there too.
Nearby Mountains
West Fork is surrounded by mountains on both its east and west sides. Bloyd Mountain, to the east, reaches a height of about 2,020 feet (616 meters).
Education in West Fork
The West Fork Public Schools serves all the students in the city.
West Fork Schools
The district includes three main schools:
- West Fork Elementary
- West Fork Middle School
- West Fork High School
All of these schools are located together on School Avenue. This area is west of the White River. The official school mascot for West Fork is a tiger!
Local News
West Fork has its own local newspaper. It is called the Washington County Observer.
Getting Around
As of 2023, West Fork does not have a regular bus service that follows a set route. However, Ozark Regional Transit offers a "demand-response" service. This means you can call them to arrange a ride when you need one. The closest place to catch a long-distance bus is in nearby Fayetteville.
Famous People from West Fork
- Mildred Earp – A professional women's baseball player.
- Bubba Carpenter – A professional baseball player.
See also
In Spanish: West Fork (Arkansas) para niños
