Smackover, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Smackover is a city in Union County, Arkansas
. According to the 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city stands at 1,929.
The name Smackover comes from an anglicization of the French "Sumac Couvert" which translates to "covered in sumac
". Smackover was incorporated in 1922.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.9 km²), all of it land. Smackover is also an important town in South Arkansas
.
of 2000, there were 2,005 people, 794 households, and 565 families residing in the city. The population density
was 471.9 people per square mile (182.1/km²). There were 915 housing units at an average density of 215.3 per square mile (83.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.57% White
, 26.28% Black
or African American
, 0.10% Native American
, 0.05% Asian
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
, and 0.95% from two or more races. 0.25% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 794 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples
living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,807, and the median income for a family was $36,875. Males had a median income of $31,081 versus $19,536 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,461. About 9.1% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.
. The Museum depicts the history and culture of Smackover and the surrounding area with an indoor reconstruction of downtown Smackover, an Oil Field Park, and numerous exhibits illustrating South Arkansas's oil industry. Smackover hosts an annual four-day Oil Town Festival held in June.
Smackover was home to a rough-and-tumble oil boom camp. It began in February 1923 when a Tonkawa man leased 1,000 feet of farmland. In June 1923 there was a huge flood, which covered the main street with 10 feet of water. Most of the inhabitants moved away permanently and no trace of the settlement remains today.
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...
. According to the 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city stands at 1,929.
The name Smackover comes from an anglicization of the French "Sumac Couvert" which translates to "covered in sumac
Sumac
Sumac is any one of approximately 250 species of flowering plants in the genus Rhus and related genera, in the family Anacardiaceae. Sumacs grow in subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world, especially in Africa and North America....
". Smackover was incorporated in 1922.
Geography
Smackover is located at 33°21′41"N 92°43′40"W (33.361525, -92.727855).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 4.2 square miles (10.9 km²), all of it land. Smackover is also an important town in South Arkansas
South Arkansas
South Arkansas lies within the southern most portions of Arkansas Gulf Coastal Plain and Delta regions. It encompasses the lower 15 counties of the state.-History:...
.
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 2,005 people, 794 households, and 565 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 471.9 people per square mile (182.1/km²). There were 915 housing units at an average density of 215.3 per square mile (83.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.57% 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...
, 26.28% 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...
, 0.10% 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...
, 0.05% 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...
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
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 0.95% from two or more races. 0.25% 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 794 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% 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, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,807, and the median income for a family was $36,875. Males had a median income of $31,081 versus $19,536 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 $14,461. About 9.1% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Smackover is home to the Arkansas Museum of Natural ResourcesArkansas Museum of Natural Resources
The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources is located in Smackover, Arkansas and focuses on the petroleum industry in Arkansas.-External links:*...
. The Museum depicts the history and culture of Smackover and the surrounding area with an indoor reconstruction of downtown Smackover, an Oil Field Park, and numerous exhibits illustrating South Arkansas's oil industry. Smackover hosts an annual four-day Oil Town Festival held in June.
Smackover was home to a rough-and-tumble oil boom camp. It began in February 1923 when a Tonkawa man leased 1,000 feet of farmland. In June 1923 there was a huge flood, which covered the main street with 10 feet of water. Most of the inhabitants moved away permanently and no trace of the settlement remains today.
Notable residents
- Sleepy LaBeefSleepy LaBeefSleepy LaBeef is an American rockabilly musician.LaBeef stands 6' 7" tall and was given the nickname "Sleepy" from the appearance of his eyes. Born in Arkansas, he was raised on a melon farm and moved to Houston when he was 18...
, roots musician - Clyde ScottClyde ScottClyde Scott is a retired American athlete who competed professionally in the National Football League and earned an Olympic medal in the 110 meter hurdles....
born in Smackover went to the NFL and played football for the Detroit Lions and is in the College Football hall of fame.