Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Walnut Ridge is a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas
, United States
. The population was 4,925 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat
of Lawrence County. Walnut Ridge lies immediately north of Hoxie, Arkansas
. The two towns form a contiguous urban area with approximately 8,000 residents. Williams Baptist College
is in nearby College City
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 11.6 square miles (30 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 4,925 people, 2,065 households, and 1,305 families residing in the city. The population density
was 425.5 people per square mile (164.4/km²). There were 2,283 housing units at an average density of 197.3 per square mile (76.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.04% White
, 0.59% Black
or African American
, 0.51% Native American
, 0.12% Asian
, and 1.75% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,065 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,953, and the median income for a family was $36,735. Males had a median income of $27,458 versus $20,169 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,974. About 10.0% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 18.6% of those age 65 or over.
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 4,925 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Lawrence County. Walnut Ridge lies immediately north of Hoxie, Arkansas
Hoxie, Arkansas
Hoxie is a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,817 at the 2000 census. Hoxie lies immediately south of Walnut Ridge.-Geography:Hoxie is located at ....
. The two towns form a contiguous urban area with approximately 8,000 residents. Williams Baptist College
Williams Baptist College
Williams Baptist College is a private, coeducational four-year college located in the northeast corner of Arkansas near the town of Walnut Ridge. Founded in 1941, this institution began its life as a two year school. It began granting bachelor's degrees in the 1980s...
is in nearby College City
College City, Arkansas
College City is a town in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 269 at the 2000 census. It is the site of Williams Baptist College, a four-year liberal arts college.-Geography:College City is located at ....
.
Geography
Walnut Ridge is located at 36°4′21"N 90°57′25"W (36.072547, -90.956865).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 11.6 square miles (30 km²), all land.
History
Walnut Ridge was formally established in 1875 as a result of the railroad coming through the area. Previously there had been settlement in the area known as Old Walnut Ridge not far from the current city since about 1860.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 4,925 people, 2,065 households, and 1,305 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 425.5 people per square mile (164.4/km²). There were 2,283 housing units at an average density of 197.3 per square mile (76.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.04% 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...
, 0.59% 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...
, 0.51% 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...
, 0.12% 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 1.75% from two or more races. 0.43% 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 2,065 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% 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, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,953, and the median income for a family was $36,735. Males had a median income of $27,458 versus $20,169 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 $14,974. About 10.0% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 18.6% of those age 65 or over.
Notable natives & residents
- General James T. ConwayJames T. ConwayJames Terry Conway is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who was the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps...
- 34th Commandant of the Marine CorpsCommandant of the Marine CorpsThe Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff... - Washboard SamWashboard SamRobert Brown , known professionally as Washboard Sam, was an American blues singer and musician.-Biography:...
- blues musician - Milt YarberryMilton J. YarberryMilton J. Yarberry was an outlaw, gunman and lawman of the Old West, best known for having been the first Town Marshal for Albuquerque, New Mexico.-Early life:...
- gunfighter, first Town Marshal of Albuquerque, New MexicoAlbuquerque, New MexicoAlbuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As... - Ehron VonAllenEhron VonAllenEhron VonAllen is a dark style synth-pop act based in Dallas, Texas. Born Aaron Christopher Allen in 1980, VonAllen began music in a small town of 4,000 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas during the mid 1990s. Delving deep into the gothic scene, VonAllen tried to emulate his favorite music such as Depeche...
- electronicElectronic musicElectronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
musician , singer (birth name: Aaron Allen)
List Of Highways
- U.S. 67 Business
U.S. 412
Highway 34
Highway 91
External links
- The Times Dispatch (Weekly Newspaper Serving Walnut Ridge and Lawrence County)
- Williams Baptist College Official website
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry: Walnut Ridge (Lawrence County)
- Article about The Beatles' 1964 visits to Walnut Ridge
- Home of State Representative J.R. Rogers
- Ozark Weather & Radar