Walnut Ridge, Arkansas

Walnut Ridge is a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 5,098 at the United States Census's 2019 estimate.[4] The city is the county seat of Lawrence County.[5] Walnut Ridge lies immediately north of Hoxie. The two towns form a contiguous urban area with approximately 8,000 residents. Williams Baptist University is in College City, a formerly separate community that merged into Walnut Ridge in 2017.[6]

Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
City
Walnut Ridge historic rail depot and now Amtrak station
Walnut Ridge historic rail depot and now Amtrak station
Location in Lawrence County, Arkansas
Location in Lawrence County, Arkansas
Coordinates: 36°4′21″N 90°57′25″W
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountyLawrence
Government
 • MayorCharles Snapp[1]
Area
[2]
 • Total16.62 sq mi (43.05 km2)
 • Land16.62 sq mi (43.05 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[3]
272 ft (83 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,384
 • Density323.95/sq mi (125.08/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
72476
Area code870
FIPS code05-72890
GNIS feature ID0078686[3]
Websitewww.cityofwalnutridge.com

History

Walnut Ridge was formally established in 1875 as a result of the railroad coming through the area. There was settlement in the area known as Old Walnut Ridge not far from the current city since about 1860.[7]

In 1964, the Beatles briefly stopped at Walnut Ridge Regional Airport on the way to and from a retreat in Missouri. This visit inspired a monument, a plaza, and a music festival in Walnut Ridge.[8][9]

Geography

Walnut Ridge is in northeastern Lawrence County in the Upper Delta region of northeastern Arkansas. It is bordered to the south by the city of Hoxie. U.S. Route 412 passes through the center of Walnut Ridge on Main Street, leading east 26 miles (42 km) to Paragould and northwest 39 miles (63 km) to Hardy. U.S. Route 67 passes through the east side of Walnut Ridge on a four-lane bypass; the highway leads north 14 miles (23 km) to Pocahontas and southwest 40 miles (64 km) to Newport. Arkansas Highway 34 runs northeast out of the center of Walnut Ridge on Front Street, leading 17 miles (27 km) to Delaplaine.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Walnut Ridge has a total area of 16.4 square miles (42.4 km2), all of it recorded as land.[4] Village Creek flows through the western side of the city, leading southwest to the White River near Newport.

Climate

Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).[10]

Climate data for Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 9
(48)		 11
(52)		 14
(58)		 21
(70)		 27
(80)		 31
(88)		 33
(91)		 33
(91)		 29
(84)		 23
(74)		 15
(59)		 10
(50)		 21
(70)
Average low °C (°F) −1
(30)		 1
(33)		 3
(38)		 9
(49)		 15
(59)		 19
(67)		 21
(70)		 20
(68)		 15
(59)		 9
(49)		 2
(36)		 −1
(31)		 9
(49)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 130
(5.2)		 110
(4.3)		 100
(4)		 99
(3.9)		 120
(4.9)		 97
(3.8)		 91
(3.6)		 74
(2.9)		 64
(2.5)		 86
(3.4)		 120
(4.6)		 86
(3.4)		 1,180
(46.5)
Source: Weatherbase [11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880301—
189045751.8%
190084584.9%
19101,798112.8%
19202,22623.8%
19302,007−9.8%
19402,0130.3%
19503,10654.3%
19603,54714.2%
19703,8007.1%
19804,1529.3%
19904,3885.7%
20004,92512.2%
20104,890−0.7%
20205,38410.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

2020 census
Walnut Ridge racial composition[13]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 4,793 89.02%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 99 1.84%
Native American 7 0.13%
Asian 26 0.48%
Pacific Islander 2 0.04%
Other/Mixed 276 5.13%
Hispanic or Latino 181 3.36%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,384 people, 1,754 households, and 1,230 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 4,925 permanent residents, 2,065 homeholds, and 1,305 families living in the town. The population density was 425.5 inhabitants per square mile (164.3/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, 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 international poverty limit, including 15.9% of those under 18 and 18.6% of those 65 or older.

Education

Public education for elementary and secondary school students in most of the city is provided from the Lawrence County School District, which includes Walnut Ridge Elementary School and Walnut Ridge High School. Some portions are within the Hoxie School District, which operates Hoxie High School.[15] The Walnut Ridge School District was in operation until July 1, 2006, when it merged with the Black Rock School District to form the Lawrence County district.[16]

Infrastructure

Transportation

List of highways

Airport

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Mayor | City of Walnut Ridge". Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
  4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2019 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Walnut Ridge city, Arkansas". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. "Williams Baptist College". Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  7. "Walnut Ridge (Lawrence County)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  8. "Stopover of the Beatles". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. August 21, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  9. Beatles at the Ridge (festival website)
  10. "Walnut Ridge, Arkansas Köppen Climate Classification". Weatherbase.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  11. "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on August 6, 2013.
  12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Lawrence County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  16. "ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls Archived 2017-08-01 at the Wayback Machine." Arkansas Department of Education. Retrieved on October 13, 2017.
  17. "April Michelle Harvey (Gray)". intelius.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
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