West Memphis, Arkansas
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| City of West Memphis | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Arkansas | ||
| County | Crittenden | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | William H. Johnson | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 26.6 sq mi (68.8 km²) | ||
| - Land | 26.5 sq mi (68.6 km²) | ||
| - Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) 0.26% | ||
| Elevation | 210 ft (64 m) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 27,666 | ||
| - Density | 1,044.3/sq mi (403.2/km²) | ||
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) | ||
| ZIP codes | 72301, 72303 | ||
| Area code(s) | 870 | ||
| FIPS code | 05-74540 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0078727 | ||
| Website: http://www.ci.west-memphis.ar.us/ | |||
West Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 28,181, ranking it as the state's 14th largest city, behind Bentonville.[1] It is considered part of the Memphis metropolitan area, and is located directly across the Mississippi River from Memphis.
West Memphis is nationally known as the site of a 1993 triple murder in the Robin Hood Hills neighborhood. Three local teenagers, known as the West Memphis 3 were controversially convicted of the crime.
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[edit] Geography
West Memphis is located at (35.150294, -90.178831)[2].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.6 square miles (68.8 km²), of which, 26.5 square miles (68.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.26%) is water.
[edit] Economy
[edit] Infrastructure
Primarily because of its central location and transportation infrastructure, West Memphis has become a hub for distribution and assembly operations.
The city lies at the point where two of the nation's most heavily travelled interstate highways, Interstate 40 and Interstate 55, intersect with the Mississippi River (a major cargo waterway) and large rail-lines operated by BNSF and Union Pacific.[3]
[edit] Distribution centers
Major operations include distribution centers for retailers such as Family Dollar Stores[4] and manufacturers such as Ciba Chemicals.[5]
[edit] Gambling
West Memphis is also one of only two cities in Arkansas (along with Hot Springs) with a venue for parimutuel gambling, pre-dating the casino developments in nearby Tunica County, Mississippi by many years.
The city's Southland Gaming and Racing Park has been revamped in recent years to include electronic games of skill, such as video poker machines, following approval by the Arkansas General Assembly.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 27,666 people, 10,051 households, and 7,136 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,044.3 people per square mile (403.2/km²). There were 11,022 housing units at an average density of 416.1/sq mi (160.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.93% Black or African American, 42.16% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 10,051 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 25.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. There are 553 unmarried partner households: 475 heterosexual, 52 same-sex male, and 26 same-sex female. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,399, and the median income for a family was $32,465. Males had a median income of $29,977 versus $21,007 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,679. About 23.7% of families and 28.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.9% of those under age 18 and 22.3% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Education
[edit] College
[edit] Public schools
- West Memphis High School, 10-12
- West Junior High School, 7-9
- Bragg Elementary School, K-6
- Richland Elementary School, K-6
- Faulk Elementary School, K-6
- East Junior High School, 7-9
- Jackson Elementary School, PK-6
- Maddux Elementary School, K-6
- Weaver Elementary School, K-6
- Wonder Elementary School, K-6
- Wonder Junior High School, 7-9
- Avondale Elementary School, PK-1
- Wedlock Elementary School, K-6
[edit] Private schools
- West Memphis Christian School, PK-12
- Crittenden Pentecostal Academy, K-12
- St. Michaels School, PK-6
[edit] Notable residents
- Betty Blue - model and actress
- Marcus Brown - former NBA and current European basketball player
- Shirley Brown - Grammy-nominated Stax recording artist
- Michael Cage - former NBA rebounding champion
- Sid Eudy aka Sid Vicious or Sid Justice - former 4 time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion (WWE, WCW)
- T.J. Holmes- CNN anchor
- Keith Lee - former NBA player
- Sonny Weems - University of Arkansas basketball player
- Sonny Boy Williamson II - blues musician
[edit] References
- ^ Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arkansas (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 21, 2006). Retrieved on November 16, 2006.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Total Access"
- ^ "Family Dollar Leverages Strong West Memphis Distribution Operation into 6,000th Store"
- ^ "New Laboratory Constructed at the Ciba West Memphis Plant"
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2008) |
[edit] External links
- West Memphis Economic Development and Site Selection, Demographic, tax, and distribution park data
- Mainstreet West Memphis
- Crittenden County Open Portal Website
- City of West Memphis
- The Evening Times, West Memphis & Crittenden County's daily afternoon newspaper
- West Memphis, Arkansas is at coordinates Coordinates:
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