North Little Rock, Arkansas

North Little Rock is a city in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States, across the Arkansas River from Little Rock in the central part of the state. The population was 62,304 at the 2010 census. In 2019 the estimated population was 65,903,[5] making it the seventh-most populous city in the state. North Little Rock, along with Little Rock and Conway, anchors the six-county Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area (2014 population 729,135), which is further included in the Little Rock-North Little Rock Combined Statistical Area with 902,443 residents.

North Little Rock, Arkansas
City
North Little Rock across the Arkansas River
Location of North Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 34°46′51″N 92°15′25″W
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountyPulaski
Founded1866 - Argenta established
Incorporated1890 - incorporation of Argenta; merged with unincorporated North Little Rock in 1903
Government
 • MayorJoe Smith
Area
 • City55.49 sq mi (143.71 km2)
 • Land52.34 sq mi (135.55 km2)
 • Water3.15 sq mi (8.16 km2)
Elevation
266 ft (81 m)
Population
 • City62,304
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
65,903
 • RankUS: 524th
 • Density1,259.25/sq mi (486.20/km2)
 • Urban
431,388 (US: 88th)
 • Metro
729,135 (US: 75th)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
72114-119, 721124, 72190, 72199
Area code(s)501
FIPS code05-50450
GNIS feature ID0077862[4]
Websitewww.northlittlerock.ar.gov/

The city's downtown is anchored in the Argenta Historic District, which draws its name from the original name of the city; the area includes Dickey-Stephens Park, the current home of the Arkansas Travelers minor league baseball team, and Simmons Bank Arena, the metropolitan area's main entertainment venue. Farther west in the city is Burns Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.

History

North Little Rock has a long history, dating back to the Burial Mound People.[6] It was once known as Argenta, a name that currently applies specifically to downtown North Little Rock. In 1890, Little Rock annexed the unincorporated Argenta community as its Eighth Ward, preempting a competing petition to incorporate Argenta. A neighboring area was incorporated as the Town of North Little Rock in 1901 as part of a plan to reclaim the Eighth Ward from Little Rock. By 1904, the Arkansas Supreme Court allowed the town to annex the Eighth Ward; the modern City of North Little Rock considers this its founding date. The combined city adopted the Argenta name by 1906, but reverted to North Little Rock in October 1917. A remnant of the city's earliest years can be found in North Little Rock City Hall (constructed in 1914), which still contains plaques referring to "Argenta", and contains "C of A" (City of Argenta) ornamental designs.

Geography

North Little Rock is located at 34°46′51″N 92°15′25″W (34.780791, -92.256881).[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 47.0 square miles (122 km2), of which 44.8 square miles (116 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (4.58%) is water.

Highways

North Little Rock is also the eastern terminus of Interstate 30 and southern terminus of the Arkansas-designated portion of Interstate 57. Interstate 40, US 65, US 67, and US 167 all run through the city.

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, North Little Rock has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[8]

North Little Rock has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot, and sunny summers and mild, wet winters with little snow. January on average is the coldest month, while July is typically the warmest, but occasionally August can claim the title.[9] The overall yearly average temperature is 62.5 degrees. Precipitation averages 45.79 inches a year, with winter and spring tending to be wetter than summer and autumn.[10] Severe thunderstorms can occur, especially during the Spring, on April 25, 2011, a possible tornado struck the air force base in the city.

Climate data for North Little Rock, 1981-2016 normals.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 49.4
(9.7)		 54.5
(12.5)		 64.4
(18.0)		 73.6
(23.1)		 80.2
(26.8)		 87.8
(31.0)		 92.3
(33.5)		 91.9
(33.3)		 84.7
(29.3)		 73.2
(22.9)		 63.6
(17.6)		 51.8
(11.0)		 71.8
(22.1)
Average low °F (°C) 32.7
(0.4)		 36.9
(2.7)		 44.9
(7.2)		 53.4
(11.9)		 59.9
(15.5)		 67.9
(19.9)		 71.9
(22.2)		 70.8
(21.6)		 65.6
(18.7)		 54.0
(12.2)		 44.1
(6.7)		 35.7
(2.1)		 53.3
(11.8)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.53
(90)		 3.68
(93)		 5.07
(129)		 4.28
(109)		 4.13
(105)		 3.47
(88)		 3.00
(76)		 1.99
(51)		 2.67
(68)		 3.40
(86)		 4.95
(126)		 5.44
(138)		 45.27
(1,150)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 12.1 12.3 9.7 10.9 7.7 8.8 7.2 6.7 6.9 7.8 10.1 14.2 77.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 171.5 212.3 257.0 297.1 303.0 324.2 353.6 392.2 300.4 290.4 246.3 198.5 3,346.5
Percent possible sunshine 49 57 65 68 75 77 80 84 74 72 59 53 74
Source: NOAA (sun 1961-1990)

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
191011,138—
192014,04826.1%
193019,41838.2%
194021,1378.9%
195044,097108.6%
196058,03231.6%
197060,0403.5%
198064,3887.2%
199061,741−4.1%
200060,433−2.1%
201062,3043.1%
Est. 201965,903[3]5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

As of the census of 2010, there were 62,304 people, 25,542 households, and 16,117 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,348.6 people per square mile (520.7/km2). There were 27,567 housing units at an average density of 615.2 per square mile (237.5/km2). The city was 54.02% White, 39.73% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 2.71% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. 5.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 25,542 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,578, and the median income for a family was $43,595. Males had a median income of $31,420 versus $24,987 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,662. About 12.4% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The City of North Little Rock elected officials are a mayor, city council of city council members (eight total, with two from each of the four wards), city clerk/treasurer, city attorney, and two judges. This is supplemented by a number of boards and commissions composed of city officials and residents.[12]

Police
North Little Rock
Crime rates* (2012)
Violent crimes
Homicide8
Rape9
Robbery177
Aggravated assault255
Total violent crime449
Property crimes
Burglary1,204
Larceny-theft3,894
Motor vehicle theft373
Arson10
Total property crime5,471
Notes

*Number of reported crimes per 100,000 population.

2012 population: 63,125

Source: 2012 FBI UCR Data

The North Little Rock Police Department (NLRPD) has approval to operate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)s. The department has been working with a small pilotless helicopter since 2008.[13]

Fire department

In addition to fire and EMS calls, the North Little Rock Fire Department (NLRFD) responds to calls for their Special Operations Response Team, Haz Mat Response Team and Water Rescue for the Arkansas River.[14]

Education

Post-secondary education

Public primary and secondary schools

Most students attend public schools in the North Little Rock School District which includes:

  • One High School
  • One Middle School
    • one middle school, North Little Rock Middle School, which is subdivided into a 6th grade campus and a 7-8th grade campus.
  • Nine Elementary Schools
    • Amboy Elementary
    • Boone Park Elementary
    • Crestwood Elementary
    • Glenview Elementary
    • Indian Hills Elementary
    • Lakewood Elementary
    • Meadow Park Elementary
    • Ridge Road Elementary (Formerly Ridge Road Middle School)
    • Seventh Street Elementary
  • One Early Childhood Center
    • Pike View Early Childhood Center

The North Little Rock High School West Campus facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its art-deco architecture style.

In addition, the Pulaski County Special School District administers several other North Little Rock area schools, including:

  • one middle school, and
  • three elementary schools and one elementary magnet school.

Scipio Jones High School, the segregated public school for black children, was established in 1909 and disestablished in 1970.[15]

Downtown North Little Rock, known as Argenta, in September 2011

Private primary and secondary schools

In North Little Rock there are a number of private schools:

  • Central Arkansas Christian Schools (PreK3-12)
  • Immaculate Conception (K-8)
  • North Little Rock Montessori
  • North Little Rock Catholic Academy (PreK3-8)
    • Formed in 2007 by the merger of St. Mary School and St. Patrick School.[16]

North Little Rock previously had a Catholic grade school for black people, St. Augustine School. It closed in 1976.[17]

Points of interest
See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Pulaski County, Arkansas
US Navy ceremony at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum

Notable people

Sister cities

North Little Rock has two sister cities according to Sister Cities International:

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References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2014-07-09.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. See Adams, Walter M., "A History of North Little Rock The Unique City" (1986, August House)(ISBN 0874830028).
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. Climate Summary for North Little Rock
  9. "North Little Rock, AR Weather Forecast and Conditions - The Weather Channel | Weather.com". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2017-08-19.
  10. Data, US Climate. "Climate North Little Rock - Arkansas and Weather averages North Little Rock". www.usclimatedata.com. Retrieved 2017-08-19.
  11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. "About Government". City of North Little Rock. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  13. Pasztor, Andy (2012-04-21). "Drone Use Takes Off on the Home Front - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  14. "About Fire Department". City of North Little Rock. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  15. Hanley, Steven G. and Ray Hanley. Around Little Rock: A Postcard History. Arcadia Publishing, June 1, 1998. ISBN 0738568678, 9780738568676. p. 118.
  16. Hargett, Malea (2013-03-28). "Despite 'year of grace,' St. Joseph School will close". Arkansas Catholic. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
  17. Hargett, Malea (2012-05-12). "State's last black Catholic school to close". Arkansas Catholic. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
  18. "Benjamin Marcus Bogard (1868–1951)". encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved August 2, 2013.

See also
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