Newport, Arkansas
| Newport, Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 35°36′43″N 91°15′44″W / 35.61194°N 91.26222°WCoordinates: 35°36′43″N 91°15′44″W / 35.61194°N 91.26222°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Jackson |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | David Stewart |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.7 sq mi (35.5 km2) |
| • Land | 13.4 sq mi (34.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km2) |
| Elevation | 223 ft (68 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 7,879 |
| • Density | 570/sq mi (220/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 72112 |
| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-49580 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0077846 |
| Website | www.newportar.org |
Newport is a city in Jackson County, Arkansas, 84 miles (135 km) northeast of Little Rock, on the White River. In 1900, 2,866 people lived in Newport, Arkansas; in 1910, 3,557. The population was 7,879 at the 2010 census.[1] The city is the county seat of Jackson County.[2]
Newport is home to a campus of the Arkansas State University system, with particular focus on training in transportation careers. Newport is known as the town in which Sam Walton owned a Ben Franklin store prior to starting Wal-Mart.
Newport has ten properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
Newport is located at 35°36′43″N 91°15′44″W / 35.61194°N 91.26222°W (35.611820, -91.262158),[3] and lies on the White River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.7 square miles (35.5 km2), of which 13.4 square miles (34.8 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.7 km2), or 1.92%, is water.[1]
Demographics
As of the census[4] of 2000, the city's residents comprised 7,811 people in 2,690 households 1,702 families. The population density was 599.2 people per square mile (231.5/km²). There were 3,118 housing units at an average density of 239.2 per square mile (92.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 56.57% White, 41.76% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,690 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.
19.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 16.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,507, and the median income for a family was $41,426. About 23.6% of families and 28.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.6% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Grimes Unit and the McPherson Unit, prisons of the Arkansas Department of Correction, are located in Newport, off Arkansas Highway 384, 4 miles (6 km) east of central Newport.[5] The prison houses the state's death row for women.[6]
The United States Postal Service operates the Newport Post Office.[7]
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Newport is supported with public education from the Newport School District, including Newport High School.
Postsecondary education
The main campus of the two-year community college, Arkansas State University-Newport is located here.
Famous present and former residents
Commerce
- Helen Walton, wife of Sam Walton
- Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart
- S. Robson Walton, John T. Walton, Jim Walton and Alice Walton, children of the Wal-Mart founder
Entertainment and literature
- Sonny Burgess, rockabilly artist and a member of Rockabilly Hall of Fame
- Elizabeth Gregg Patterson, short fiction writer
- Mary Steenburgen, Academy Award-winning actress
Politics, military, and education
- Mike Beebe, current Governor of Arkansas
- Kaneaster Hodges, Jr., appointed to succeed John McClellan as United States Senator upon McClellan's death in 1977
- Dr. Ed Madden, activist, poet, and professor at the University of South Carolina
- Martha Shoffner, Treasurer of the State of Arkansas from 2007 to 2013
- Jim Wood, Arkansas State Auditor from 2003 to 2011
Sports
- George Kell, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
- Theo Young, played one season with NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers and is a college football coach
- Dowell Loggains, NFL Offensive Coordinator [at age 32 youngest OC in NFL] Tennessee Titans
Julius Pruitt, plays for miami dolphins
Folklore animals
See also
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Newport has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Newport city, Arkansas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Grimes Unit/McPherson Unit." Arkansas Department of Correction. Retrieved on November 22, 2010.
- ↑ Haddigan, Michael. "They Kill Women, Don't They?" Arkansas Times. April 9, 1999. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
- ↑ "Post Office Location - NEWPORT." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on November 22, 2010.
- ↑ Climate Summary for Newport, Arkansas
External links
- City of Newport official website
- W.A. Billingsly Jackson County Library
- The Newport Independent, the city's newspaper published since 1901
- Newport Economic Development Commission
- Newport Area Chamber of Commerce
- Arkansas State University-Newport
- History of Newport's Jewish community (from the Institute of Southern Jewish Life)
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