Omaha, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Omaha is a town in Boone County
, Arkansas
. As of the 2000 census the population stood at 165. It is a rural community located approximately 10 miles from Branson
, Missouri
and 15 miles from Harrison, Arkansas
. The town is part of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1 km²), all land.
By the year 1884, businesses included four steam saw mills, and four flour mills. In the year 1892, additional businesses included a saw and grist mill, general store, and a blacksmith shop.
An undated advertisement for Omaha indicated the town was along the Missouri Pacific Railroad and "State Highway 65". It further indicated the school had 450 students. The advertisement described churches of every main denomination, that the town had electric and telephone service, a bank, canning factory, feed stores, a machine shop, mill, a modern garage, lumber yards and various types of stores. The ad claimed the town was started in 1878 after J.H. Middleton of Missouri came and began a general store.
In the 1930s, the town attempted to qualify as a border city due to its proximity to the Arkansas/Missouri state line. Missouri's gas taxes are lower than Arkansas', thus Omaha tried to take advantage of the lower tax. That incorporation was found to be invalid by the state supreme court in 1941.
Old US 65 went through Omaha, causing travelers from further south in Arkansas (such as Harrison
) to go through Omaha on the way to Missouri, and likewise for travelers heading further south from Missouri. Businesses along the route were able to thrive. Although the new U.S. Route 65
, opened in late 1999, was judged to be safer and reduced travel time, it completely bypassed Omaha. Businesses deriving revenue from the tourist trade felt the impact on the first day of the new road opening. Ultimately they were devastated. Some businesses planned to relocate to Branson at the time. Many noted that people will never even know Omaha exists. It was noted that old US 65 became so quiet that dogs could safely lie in the street.
of 2000, there were 165 people, 66 households, and 50 families residing in the town. The population density
was 413.4 people per square mile (159.3/km²). There were 81 housing units at an average density of 202.9 per square mile (78.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.76% White
, 0.61% Black
or African American
, and 3.64% from two or more races.
There were 66 households, of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples
living together, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.2% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town, the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 111.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $18,000, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $22,188 versus $16,042 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $12,636. About 32.0% of families and 31.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 41.4% of those sixty five or over.
Omaha is within the Omaha School District.
Boone County, Arkansas
Boone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 36,903. The county seat is Harrison. Boone County is Arkansas's 62nd county, formed on April 9, 1869. Boone County is part of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Boone County...
, 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...
. As of the 2000 census the population stood at 165. It is a rural community located approximately 10 miles from Branson
Branson, Missouri
Branson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
and 15 miles from Harrison, Arkansas
Harrison, Arkansas
Harrison is a city in Boone County, Arkansas, United States. It is the county seat. According to 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 13,108. Boone County was organized in 1869, during reconstruction after the civil war. Harrison was platted and made the county seat. It is...
. The town is part of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area
Harrison micropolitan area
The Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas, anchored by the city of Harrison....
.
Geography
Omaha is located at 36.452417°N 93.190196°W.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 0.4 square miles (1 km²), all land.
History
Omaha's first post office was set up on August 7, 1873. A census taken at the time showed there was a population of around 35 people.By the year 1884, businesses included four steam saw mills, and four flour mills. In the year 1892, additional businesses included a saw and grist mill, general store, and a blacksmith shop.
An undated advertisement for Omaha indicated the town was along the Missouri Pacific Railroad and "State Highway 65". It further indicated the school had 450 students. The advertisement described churches of every main denomination, that the town had electric and telephone service, a bank, canning factory, feed stores, a machine shop, mill, a modern garage, lumber yards and various types of stores. The ad claimed the town was started in 1878 after J.H. Middleton of Missouri came and began a general store.
In the 1930s, the town attempted to qualify as a border city due to its proximity to the Arkansas/Missouri state line. Missouri's gas taxes are lower than Arkansas', thus Omaha tried to take advantage of the lower tax. That incorporation was found to be invalid by the state supreme court in 1941.
Old US 65 went through Omaha, causing travelers from further south in Arkansas (such as Harrison
Harrison, Arkansas
Harrison is a city in Boone County, Arkansas, United States. It is the county seat. According to 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 13,108. Boone County was organized in 1869, during reconstruction after the civil war. Harrison was platted and made the county seat. It is...
) to go through Omaha on the way to Missouri, and likewise for travelers heading further south from Missouri. Businesses along the route were able to thrive. Although the new U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 425 in Clayton, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 90 in Albert Lea, Minnesota...
, opened in late 1999, was judged to be safer and reduced travel time, it completely bypassed Omaha. Businesses deriving revenue from the tourist trade felt the impact on the first day of the new road opening. Ultimately they were devastated. Some businesses planned to relocate to Branson at the time. Many noted that people will never even know Omaha exists. It was noted that old US 65 became so quiet that dogs could safely lie in the street.
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 165 people, 66 households, and 50 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 413.4 people per square mile (159.3/km²). There were 81 housing units at an average density of 202.9 per square mile (78.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.76% 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...
, 0.61% 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...
, and 3.64% from two or more races.
There were 66 households, of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% 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, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.2% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town, the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 111.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $18,000, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $22,188 versus $16,042 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 $12,636. About 32.0% of families and 31.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 41.4% of those sixty five or over.
Population History
The incorporated town of Omaha first appeared on the US Census in 1940.| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 165 |
| 1990 | 207 |
| 1980 | 191 |
| 1970 | 160 |
| 1960 | 195 |
| 1950 | 91 |
| 1940 | 146 |
School
The Omaha area has an eleven-building school. Consisting of a high school building with a gymnasium, this gym is known as the "new gym" or the "eagles' nest" though most often by the locals as the new gym, a fine arts building with an auditorium for stage performances a music room an art room and another classroom, the high school library/ home economics classroom (currently, the home ec. class is not in use yet), another gym known as the "old gym", the elementary building for grades one through fourth, the building right beside that for kindergarten and two other rooms, the elementary library, the middle school building that features grades fifth and six grade classrooms, the east lab, part of seventh and eighth grades classrooms, and some high school classrooms, finally, the preschool and nurses area, the computer lab and a second preschool area and another room, and finally the cafeteria. The cafeteria, elementary building, computer lab building, building beside the elementary, middle school building, and elementary library are all connected to each other with an outside walk way.Omaha is within the Omaha School District.