McNeil, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
McNeil is a city in Columbia County
, Arkansas
, United States
. The population was 662 at the 2000 census.
The community was named for William B. McNeil, founder of the College Hill Academy.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all land.
Logoly State Park, part of the Arkansas State Parks System, is located in McNeil, on HWY 79. At Arkansas's first environmental education state park, interpreters present workshops on ecological/environmental topics. The park's natural resources provide a living laboratory for students and visitors. Most of Logoly's 368 acres (1.5 km²) comprise a State Natural Area that includes unique plant species and mineral springs.
Park facilities include six group tent sites (no hookups), a bathhouse with hot showers, standard pavilion (free to educational groups), picnic sites, playground, trails, and a visitor center with exhibits and an indoor classroom.
For generations, mineral-rich spring water welling up in the midst of Arkansas's southern woodlands has drawn people in search of cures and those offering spiritual healing. Today, Logoly State Park draws those hoping to learn to better care for such precious natural resources.
The story of the Logoly dates back more than a century ago, when people traveled to bathe in and drink from the park's Magnesia Springs. It is believed that Caddo Indians native to the area first introduced settlers to the 11 springs and their purported healing powers.
Near the turn of the century, as word of the springs spread, a small community developed. According to Linda Goza, park interpreter at Logoly since 1990, "the Magnesia Springs community had two hotels: the Duke and the Mendenhall. The Cotton Belt Railroad stopped here, and a wagon was sent to bring the tourists to the hotels."
As the popularity of Magnesia Springs grew, so, too, did its affiliation with the Methodist Church. As early as 1888, local Methodists had begun using Logoly as a gathering place. After building cabins, pious locals gathered each summer for a week of revival that revolved around of preaching, singing, socializing and shared food. According to Goza, Logoly was used by the Methodists as late as the 1930s.
of 2000, there were 662 people, 237 households, and 165 families residing in the city. The population density
was 493.4 people per square mile (190.7/km²). There were 280 housing units at an average density of 208.7/sq mi (80.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 40.33% White
, 58.31% Black
or African American
, 0.15% Asian
, and 1.21% from two or more races. 1.36% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 237 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples
living together, 21.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,136, and the median income for a family was $27,188. Males had a median income of $24,135 versus $16,563 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $8,986. About 26.9% of families and 32.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.2% of those under age 18 and 31.5% of those age 65 or over.
Columbia County, Arkansas
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 24,552. The county seat is Magnolia. Columbia County was formed on December 17, 1852, and was named for Christopher Columbus...
, Arkansas
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 662 at the 2000 census.
The community was named for William B. McNeil, founder of the College Hill Academy.
Geography
McNeil is located at 33°20′46"N 93°12′30"W (33.346030, -93.208276).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 city has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all land.
Logoly State Park, part of the Arkansas State Parks System, is located in McNeil, on HWY 79. At Arkansas's first environmental education state park, interpreters present workshops on ecological/environmental topics. The park's natural resources provide a living laboratory for students and visitors. Most of Logoly's 368 acres (1.5 km²) comprise a State Natural Area that includes unique plant species and mineral springs.
Park facilities include six group tent sites (no hookups), a bathhouse with hot showers, standard pavilion (free to educational groups), picnic sites, playground, trails, and a visitor center with exhibits and an indoor classroom.
For generations, mineral-rich spring water welling up in the midst of Arkansas's southern woodlands has drawn people in search of cures and those offering spiritual healing. Today, Logoly State Park draws those hoping to learn to better care for such precious natural resources.
The story of the Logoly dates back more than a century ago, when people traveled to bathe in and drink from the park's Magnesia Springs. It is believed that Caddo Indians native to the area first introduced settlers to the 11 springs and their purported healing powers.
Near the turn of the century, as word of the springs spread, a small community developed. According to Linda Goza, park interpreter at Logoly since 1990, "the Magnesia Springs community had two hotels: the Duke and the Mendenhall. The Cotton Belt Railroad stopped here, and a wagon was sent to bring the tourists to the hotels."
As the popularity of Magnesia Springs grew, so, too, did its affiliation with the Methodist Church. As early as 1888, local Methodists had begun using Logoly as a gathering place. After building cabins, pious locals gathered each summer for a week of revival that revolved around of preaching, singing, socializing and shared food. According to Goza, Logoly was used by the Methodists as late as the 1930s.
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 662 people, 237 households, and 165 families residing in the city. 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 493.4 people per square mile (190.7/km²). There were 280 housing units at an average density of 208.7/sq mi (80.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 40.33% 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...
, 58.31% 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...
, 0.15% 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...
, and 1.21% from two or more races. 1.36% 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 237 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% 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, 21.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,136, and the median income for a family was $27,188. Males had a median income of $24,135 versus $16,563 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 city was $8,986. About 26.9% of families and 32.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.2% of those under age 18 and 31.5% of those age 65 or over.