Dyess, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Dyess is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States
. The population was 515 according to the 2000 census. Dyess was founded in 1934. Johnny Cash's biography "Man in Black" describes Dyess as a planned community built as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
's New Deal
program, with streets laid out in a wheel pattern. According to Dyess history, the town, which is actually a colony, was originally built as an Agricultural Cooperative Project. It was named after W.R. Dyess, who was the first Works Progress Administrator
in the state of Arkansas. The main purpose of the town's administration was to give poor families a chance to start over with land that they could work toward owning.
The original township had 500 individually owned and operated farms which were 20 or 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) each. The colony was made up of 15144 acres (61.3 km²).
It is best known for being the boyhood home of singer and songwriter Johnny Cash
. Johnny Cash grew up on 4791 West County Road 924, Dyess, AR. The house is now owned by Arkansas State University. Dyess was also the childhood home of other famous artists and musicians. Gene Williams, Tommy Cash
Buddy Jewell
and keyboardist Jim Austerman, grandson of Dyess natives Harvey and Ruth Headley. Johnny's father, Ray Cash, and Harvey Headley, worked together in the blacksmith shop. A movie, Walk the Line
, was released in 2005 about the life and music of Johnny Cash. The movie, part of which was filmed in Dyess, starred Joaquin Phoenix
, Reese Witherspoon
, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick
, and Dallas Roberts
.
In an effort to purchase the Old Administration Building in Dyess to make a memorial of Dyess History and Johnny Cash, the town sponsored the First Annual Dyess Days celebration.
The mayor of the town is Larry Sims.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 2.5 km² (1.0 mi²), all land.
of 2000, there were 515 people, 177 households, and 138 families residing in the town. The population density
was 205.0/km² (528.5/mi²). There were 204 housing units at an average density of 81.2/km² (209.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.10% White
, 2.14% Black
or African American
, 0.19% Native American
, 0.19% Asian
, 6.99% from other races
, and 0.39% from two or more races. 9.51% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 177 households of which 49.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples
living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.36.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 15.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,000, and the median income for a family was $26,447. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $18,229 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $11,047. About 25.3% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.6% of those under age 18 and 37.7% of those age 65 or over.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 515 according to the 2000 census. Dyess was founded in 1934. Johnny Cash's biography "Man in Black" describes Dyess as a planned community built as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
's New Deal
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented in the United States between 1933 and 1936. They were passed by the U.S. Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The programs were Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression, and focused on what historians call...
program, with streets laid out in a wheel pattern. According to Dyess history, the town, which is actually a colony, was originally built as an Agricultural Cooperative Project. It was named after W.R. Dyess, who was the first Works Progress Administrator
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
in the state of Arkansas. The main purpose of the town's administration was to give poor families a chance to start over with land that they could work toward owning.
The original township had 500 individually owned and operated farms which were 20 or 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) each. The colony was made up of 15144 acres (61.3 km²).
It is best known for being the boyhood home of singer and songwriter Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
. Johnny Cash grew up on 4791 West County Road 924, Dyess, AR. The house is now owned by Arkansas State University. Dyess was also the childhood home of other famous artists and musicians. Gene Williams, Tommy Cash
Tommy Cash
Tommy Cash, , is a singer-songwriter and younger brother of Johnny Cash.-Biography:Cash was born in Dyess, Arkansas, youngest of four sons and three daughters of Ray and Carrie Cash, and eight years after his brother, Johnny Cash. He formed his first band in high school. After high school...
Buddy Jewell
Buddy Jewell
Buddy Jewell Jr. is an American country music artist who was the first winner on the USA Network talent show Nashville Star. Signed to Columbia Records in 2003, Jewell made his debut on the American country music scene with the release of his self-titled album, which produced the singles "Help...
and keyboardist Jim Austerman, grandson of Dyess natives Harvey and Ruth Headley. Johnny's father, Ray Cash, and Harvey Headley, worked together in the blacksmith shop. A movie, Walk the Line
Walk the Line
Walk the Line is a 2005 American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold and based on the early life and career of country music artist Johnny Cash...
, was released in 2005 about the life and music of Johnny Cash. The movie, part of which was filmed in Dyess, starred Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix , formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is an American film actor. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and his family returned to the continental United States four years later...
, Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon , better known as Reese Witherspoon, is an American actress and film producer. Witherspoon landed her first feature role as the female lead in the film The Man in the Moon in 1991; later that year she made her television acting debut, in the cable movie Wildflower...
, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick
Robert Patrick
Robert Hammond Patrick, Jr. is an American actor, known for his leading and supporting roles in a number of films and television shows....
, and Dallas Roberts
Dallas Roberts
Dallas Mark Roberts is an American stage and screen actor.Roberts was born in Houston, Texas. He is a graduate of Juilliard School. He is primarily based in New York City, where he regularly appears in theatrical productions...
.
In an effort to purchase the Old Administration Building in Dyess to make a memorial of Dyess History and Johnny Cash, the town sponsored the First Annual Dyess Days celebration.
The mayor of the town is Larry Sims.
Geography
Dyess is located at 35°35′25"N 90°12′52"W (35.590224, -90.214523).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 2.5 km² (1.0 mi²), all land.
Demographics
According to the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 515 people, 177 households, and 138 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 205.0/km² (528.5/mi²). There were 204 housing units at an average density of 81.2/km² (209.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.10% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.14% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 6.99% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.39% from two or more races. 9.51% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 177 households of which 49.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.36.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 15.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,000, and the median income for a family was $26,447. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $18,229 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $11,047. About 25.3% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.6% of those under age 18 and 37.7% of those age 65 or over.