Jacksonville, Arkansas

Jacksonville is a city in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States, and a suburb of Little Rock. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 28,364.[3] It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area with 729,135 people as of 2014.

Jacksonville, Arkansas
City
City Hall
Seal
Motto(s): 
"Soaring higher"
Location of Jacksonville in Pulaski County, Arkansas.
Jacksonville, Arkansas
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 34°52′13″N 92°06′55″W
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountyPulaski
Founded1870
Incorporated1941
Government
 • MayorBob Johnson
Area
 • City28.77 sq mi (74.52 km2)
 • Land28.56 sq mi (73.97 km2)
 • Water0.21 sq mi (0.54 km2)
Elevation
285 ft (87 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • City28,364
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
28,235
 • Density988.55/sq mi (381.69/km2)
 • Metro
729,135 ('14) (Little Rock/North Little Rock)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
72076
Area code(s)501
FIPS code05-34750
GNIS feature ID0057978
Websitewww.cityofjacksonville.net

The city is named for Nicholas Jackson, a landowner who deeded the land for the railroad right-of-way to the Cairo & Fulton Railroad in 1870. The community evolved from the settlement surrounding the railroad depot, eventually incorporating in 1941. In 1941, construction began on the Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP), which served as the primary facility for the development of fuses and detonators for World War II.[4] Following the war, AOP ceased operations and the land was sold for commercial interests, including the development of the Little Rock Air Force Base in 1955. Today, portions of AOP still remain, including the Arkansas Ordnance Plant Guard House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Jacksonville Museum of Military History. Despite Pulaski County being an Arkansas county that is not a "dry" county, as it allows the sales of beer and liquor, the municipal limits of Jacksonville are "moist", as it does not allow the sales of alcohol in stores, but allows the sale of alcohol in some restaurants with special permits.

Geography

Jacksonville is located at 34°52′13″N 92°6′55″W (34.870345, −92.115164).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.2 square miles (73.1 km2), of which 28.1 square miles (72.8 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2), or 0.42%, is water.[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19502,474—
196014,488485.6%
197019,83236.9%
198027,58939.1%
199029,1015.5%
200029,9162.8%
201028,364−5.2%
2019 (est.)28,235[2]−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 29,916 people, 10,890 households, and 8,004 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,134.2 people per square mile (437.9/km2). There were 11,890 housing units at an average density of 450.8 per square mile (174.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 64.17% White, 27.88% Black or African American, 0.50% Native American, 1.98% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. 6.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,890 households, out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 18, 12.8% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,460, and the median income for a family was $40,381. Males had a median income of $26,708 versus $21,804 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,369. About 11.9% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

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, Jacksonville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[9]

Education

Since 1927, Jacksonville had been part of the Pulaski County Special School District, one of the largest school districts in Arkansas. In the years leading up to September, 2008, parts of the Jacksonville community expressed a desire to split from the PCSSD. This measure was approved by the board of the PCSSD during that month, clearing the way, legally, for the formation of what would become Jacksonville North Pulaski School District.

In a response to a petition signed by more than 2,000 voters, the Arkansas Board of Education ordered an election to carve a new school district out of the existing Pulaski County Special School District.[10] Jacksonville voters approved of the separation on September 16, 2014 with a vote of 3,672 for and 202 against (95% to 5%).[11]

According to JNPSD officials, the district would be administered by the Pulaski County Special School District until its final detachment, which became effective July 1, 2016.[12]

The district consists of six elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.[12] The schools include Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville Middle School, Bayou Meto Elementary School, Bobby G Lester Elementary School, Dupree Elementary School, Pinewood Elementary School and Taylor Elementary School.

A number of privately operated daycare services and church-affiliated schools are also available throughout the city. In addition, Arkansas State University-Beebe maintains a degree center at Little Rock Air Force Base for post-secondary education.

Public libraries
Nixon Library in Jacksonville

The Central Arkansas Library System includes the Esther Dewitt Nixon Library in Jacksonville.

Notable people

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Jacksonville city, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  4. "World War II Ordnance Plants". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Jacksonville city, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  9. Climate Summary for Jacksonville, Arkansas
  10. Thornton, Stephen (7 September 2014). "Jacksonville-area vote on school district a 1st". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  11. "Unofficial Results Show Favor for Starting Jacksonville School District". KARK. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  12. "About Us". Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  13. "District 42". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  14. Max Brantley (September 6, 2013). "Republican JP Bob Johnson switches parties to run for state House as Democrat". The Arkansas Times. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  15. Robert Thomas (fullback)
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