Arkadelphia, Arkansas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Arkadelphia, Arkansas
settlement_type = City


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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Clark County and the state of Arkansas


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Arkansas
subdivision_name2 = Clark
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 19.1
area_total_sq_mi = 7.3
area_land_km2 = 19
area_land_sq_mi = 7.3
area_water_km2 = 0.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0
elevation_ft = 246
elevation_m = 75
population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
population_total = 10833
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 571.3
population_density_sq_mi = 1494.8
timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
latd = 34 |latm = 7 |lats = 19 |latNS = N
longd = 93 |longm = 3 |longs = 58 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 71923, 71998, 71999
area_code = 870
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 05-01870
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0076188
footnotes =
website =

Arkadelphia is a city in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,548.cite web | date = June 21 2006 | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-05.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arkansas | format = CSV | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessmonthday = November 15 |accessyear = 2006] The city is the county seat of Clark County.GR|6 The city is situated at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Two universities, Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University, are located there.

Geography

Arkadelphia is located at coor dms|34|7|19|N|93|3|58|W|city (34.121920, -93.066178).GR|1 According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19.1 km²), of which, 7.3 square miles (19.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.41% water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 10,912 people, 3,865 households, and 2,187 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,486.2 people per square mile (574.0/km²). There were 4,216 housing units at an average density of 574.2/sq mi (221.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.98% White, 26.51% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.35% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 2.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,865 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.1% under the age of 18, 32.9% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,651, and the median income for a family was $42,479. Males had a median income of $30,152 versus $19,459 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,268. 23.2% of the population and 19.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 25.8% of those under the age of 18 and 15.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Etymology

The site was settled in about 1809 by John Hemphill, operator of a nearby salt works, Arkansas's first industry. It was known as Blakelytown until 1839, when the settlement adopted its present name of Arkadelphia. The city's name "Arkadelphia" was likely formed by combining "Ark-" from the state's name "Arkansas" and "adelphia" as in Philadelphia. [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9009465/Arkadelphia] . Arkadelphia literally translates to "the arc of brotherly love."

Recreation

Hiking through the Ouachita National Forest is a popular pastime around Arkadelphia.Fact|date=May 2008 The DeGray Lake State Park has camping, water sports, golf, and hiking. Fishing is also popular.Fact|date=May 2008 Arkadelphia Aquatic Park is a water park open during the summer months.

Notable former or present citizens

* Trent Bryant - cornerback for the NFL's Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, and the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders.
* Cliff Harris - safety for the Dallas Cowboys.
* Arthur Hodges (deceased) - first person in the county executed by electric chair.
* W. Francis McBeth - first Composer Laureate of Arkansas.
* Beth Moore - Biblical scholar; founder of Living Proof Ministries.
* Terry Nelson - tight end for the Los Angeles Rams.
* Bob C. Riley (deceased) -- former lieutenant governor of Arkansas.
* Jerry Thomasson (deceased) -- former Democratic member of the Arkansas House of Representatives and two-time Republican candidate for Arkansas attorney general.
* Kevin Williams - defensive tackle for the NFL team the Minnesota Vikings.

Transportation

*Arkadelphia (Amtrak station)

References

External links

* [http://www.arkadelphia.com Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.cityofarkadelphia.com City of Arkadelphia]
* [http://apsd.k12.ar.us Arkadelphia Public Schools]
* Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry: [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=848 Arkadelphia (Clark County)]