Lonoke, Arkansas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Lonoke, Arkansas
settlement_type = City
nickname = Lonoke, AR
motto =

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imagesize = 225 px
image_caption = Evening in downtown Lonoke


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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption =


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Arkansas
subdivision_name2 = Lonoke
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Wayne McGhee
established_title = Founded
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date =
established_date2 =
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 4.6
area_total_km2 = 11.9
area_land_sq_mi = 4.3
area_land_km2 = 11.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.3
area_water_km2 = 0.7
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_urban_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 4287
population_metro = 610518 (Little Rock/North Little Rock
population_urban =
population_density_km2 = 382.3
population_density_sq_mi = 990.0
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
latd = 34 |latm = 47 |lats = 3 |latNS = N
longd = 91 |longm = 54 |longs = 3 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 73
elevation_ft = 240
website = http://www.lonoke.com/
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 72086
area_code = 501
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 05-41420
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0077553
footnotes =

Lonoke is the second most populous city in Lonoke County, Arkansas, United States, and serves as its county seat.GR|6 According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 4,552.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 16 | accessyear = 2006] It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Lonoke's history begins with the advance of Union troops through Central Arkansas during the American Civil War. The town of Brownsville was burned to the ground by Union forces after the retreat of Confederate forces westward to Little Rock. After the war, it was decided by the city leaders of Brownsville that a new town should be formed by the nearby railroad so that those who wished to stay could do so.

According to local legend, the town was named for a large red oak tree that was found while trees were being chopped down in order to build houses. The official name of the city was originally Lone Oak. However, due to a misprint in the Lonoke Democrat newspaper, the town's name was printed as Lonoak. Eventually, this misspelling became further misspelled as Lonoke.

The town of Lonoke was very slow to grow. Lonoke maintained a sustainable population through the support of its agricultural based economy until World War II. Because of the baby boom, Lonoke's population began to reach higher numbers. Furthermore, Lonoke became a sort of suburban area of Little Rock due to the implementation of the Interstate Highway System and the construction of I-40.

In recent years, the population of Lonoke has remained in the area of about 4,000 people. As the Little Rock metropolitan area continues to grow, Lonoke's population is expected to grow as well as Lonoke is becoming more suitable as a suburban area.

Geography

Lonoke is located at coor dms|34|47|3|N|91|54|3|W|city (34.784065, -91.900705).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), of which, 4.3 square miles (11.2 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²) of it (6.07%) is water.

Education

The city of Lonoke lacks post secondary institutions due to its small population and rural nature. However, Lonoke does feature a public school district that includes a primary, elementary, middle, and [high school] . According to the National Institute for Higher Education, Lonoke High School has an average ACT score of 22. However, over 89% of the graduating class of high school from 1987 to 2007 has been accepted to an institution of higher education. Of those 89%, approximately 45% have attended Arkansas State University Beebe.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census,GR|2 there were 4,287 people, 1,595 households, and 1,092 families residing in the city. The population density was 990.0 people per square mile (382.3/km²). There were 1,703 housing units at an average density of 393.3/sq mi (151.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.29% White, 23.40% Black or African American, 0.77% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 1.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,595 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,558, and the median income for a family was $44,423. Males had a median income of $34,315 versus $22,642 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,598. About 11.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 19.5% of those age 65 or over.

Notable citizens

* Maurice Britt - Football player, businessman, and decorated soldier. He was born in Carlisle, Arkansas, but grew up in Lonoke.
* Ed Hamm (1906-1982) - American track and field athlete, who won the gold medal in long jump at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
* Joseph Taylor Robinson - U.S. Senate Majority leader and Al Smith's running mate on the Democratic Ticket in the 1928 U.S. presidential election.
* Edith Miller-one of Lonoke's oldest residents who received a key to the city. She was born in 1915 making her 93 years old this year on July 10th,2008.

References

External links

* Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry: [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=928 Lonoke (Lonoke County)]