Gilbert, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Gilbert is a town in Searcy County, Arkansas
, United States
. The population was 33 at the 2000 census, ranking it as one of the smallest municipalities in the state and nation. Over the years, Gilbert has gained a reputation (along with Calico Rock
) as one of the coldest locations in Arkansas.
Gilbert was a hub for commerce. Cotton, logs, ore and grain came by rail. Gilbert was eventually the home to a repair shop for the railroad, which ceased operation in 1946. While the tracks were removed and sold as scrap, there are still signs of the railroad where the old concrete supports crossed the Buffalo River. The former rail bed is now a hiking route along the river.
Today, Gilbert contains a few homes, guest houses and cabins for rent, and camping facilities. The Gilbert General Store is still in operation, providing supplies and hunting and fishing licenses. The Gilbert Café serves diners in the area. Remnants of old homesteads provide a hint of its past.
, the town has a total area of 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²).
.
of 2000, there were 33 people, 18 households, and 10 families residing in the town. The population density
was 41.1/km² (105.1/mi²). There were 29 housing units at an average density of 36.1/km² (92.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White
.
There were 18 households out of which 11.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples
living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.83 and the average family size was 2.30.
In the town the population was spread out with 9.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 18.2% from 25 to 44, 45.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every female resident, there were 1.063 males. For every female resident age 18 and over, there were 1.143 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $18,750, and the median income for a family was $20,625. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $15,729. There were no families and 17.1% of the population living below the poverty line, including none under the age of 18 and none of those over 64.
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 33 at the 2000 census, ranking it as one of the smallest municipalities in the state and nation. Over the years, Gilbert has gained a reputation (along with Calico Rock
Calico Rock, Arkansas
Calico Rock is a city in Izard County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 991 at the 2000 census. The town celebrates a unique feature...
) as one of the coldest locations in Arkansas.
History
The Gilbert General Store, built in 1901, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under the name Mays Store. The community was founded in 1902 when a railroad construction camp for the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad was built and named in honor of Charles W. Gilbert, secretary-treasurer of Allegheny Supply Company, which was building the railroad. In 1906, William Mays moved his store and post office from Duff, located a few miles away.Gilbert was a hub for commerce. Cotton, logs, ore and grain came by rail. Gilbert was eventually the home to a repair shop for the railroad, which ceased operation in 1946. While the tracks were removed and sold as scrap, there are still signs of the railroad where the old concrete supports crossed the Buffalo River. The former rail bed is now a hiking route along the river.
Today, Gilbert contains a few homes, guest houses and cabins for rent, and camping facilities. The Gilbert General Store is still in operation, providing supplies and hunting and fishing licenses. The Gilbert Café serves diners in the area. Remnants of old homesteads provide a hint of its past.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²).
School District
Gilbert is in the Ozark Mountain School District, with a K-12 campus in nearby St. JoeSt. Joe, Arkansas
St. Joe is a town in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 85 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St. Joe is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land....
.
Demographics
As of 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 33 people, 18 households, and 10 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 41.1/km² (105.1/mi²). There were 29 housing units at an average density of 36.1/km² (92.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% 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...
.
There were 18 households out of which 11.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% 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, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.83 and the average family size was 2.30.
In the town the population was spread out with 9.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 18.2% from 25 to 44, 45.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every female resident, there were 1.063 males. For every female resident age 18 and over, there were 1.143 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $18,750, and the median income for a family was $20,625. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $26,250 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 $15,729. There were no families and 17.1% of the population living below the poverty line, including none under the age of 18 and none of those over 64.
External Links
- Map of Gilbert (US Census Bureau)
- Map of Searcy County (US Census Bureau)
- Gilbert entry in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas
- Ozark Mountain School District
- Searcy County Historical Society