Walnut Ridge, Arkansas

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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 / 36.07250°N 90.95694°W / 36.07250; -90.95694Coordinates: 36°4′21″N 90°57′25″W / 36.07250°N 90.95694°W / 36.07250; -90.95694
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountyLawrence
Government
 • MayorCharles Snapp[1]
Area
 • Total16.44 sq mi (42.57 km2)
 • Land16.44 sq mi (42.57 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
269 ft (82 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total4,890
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
5,062
 • Density307.96/sq mi (118.91/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
72476
Area code(s)870
FIPS code05-72890
GNIS feature ID0078686
Websitewww.cityofwalnutridge.com

Walnut Ridge is a town in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,890 at the 2010 census.[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]

History[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
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%
2019 (est.)5,062[3]3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

As of the census[13] 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 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, 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[edit]

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.[14] 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.[15]

Infrastructure[edit]

Transportation[edit]

List of highways[edit]

Airport[edit]

Notable people[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2013-03-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 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 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-11-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Walnut Ridge (Lawrence County)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  8. ^ "Stopover of the Beatles". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. 2015-08-21. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
  9. ^ Beatles at the Ridge (festival website)
  10. ^ "Walnut Ridge, Arkansas Köppen Climate Classification". Weatherbase.com. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  11. ^ "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on August 6, 2013.
  12. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  14. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Lawrence County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2018-06-04.
  15. ^ "ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls." Arkansas Department of Education. Retrieved on October 13, 2017.
  16. ^ "April Michelle Harvey (Gray)". intelius.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walnut_Ridge,_Arkansas&oldid=973570790"