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Texarkana, Arkansas

Coordinates:33°28′12″N94°00′30″W/ 33.47000°N 94.00833°W/33.47000; -94.00833
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the city in Arkansas. For the city in Texas, seeTexarkana, Texas.

Texarkana, Arkansas
City
From top, left to right: Downtown, Augustus M. Garrison House, Texarkana City Hall, Texarkana state line
Official seal of Texarkana, Arkansas
Seal
Nickname(s):
The Arkansas Side, TXK
Motto:
"Twice as Nice"
Location in Miller County, Arkansas
Location in Miller County, Arkansas
Texarkana is located in Arkansas
Texarkana
Texarkana
Location within Arkansas
Texarkana is located in the United States
Texarkana
Texarkana
Location within the United States
Texarkana is located in North America
Texarkana
Texarkana
Texarkana (North America)
Coordinates:33°28′12″N94°00′30″W/ 33.47000°N 94.00833°W/33.47000; -94.00833
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountyMiller
IncorporatedAugust 10, 1880(143 years ago)(1880-08-10)
Government
• TypeCouncil-Manager
Area
[1]
• Total42.21 sq mi (109.31 km2)
• Land41.98 sq mi (108.72 km2)
• Water0.23 sq mi (0.59 km2)
Elevation
[2]
358 ft (109 m)
Population
(2020)[3]
• Total29,387
• Density700.06/sq mi (270.30/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6(Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)UTC−5(CDT)
ZIP code
71854
Area code870
FIPS code05-68810
GNISfeature ID2405580[2]
Websitecityoftexarkanaar.com

Texarkanais a city in theU.S. stateofArkansasand the county seat ofMiller County,on the southwest border of the state. As of the2020 census,it had a population of 29,387.[3]It is thetwin cityofTexarkana, Texas,located just across the state line. The city was founded at a railroad intersection on December 8, 1873, and was incorporated in Arkansas on August 10, 1880. Texarkana and its Texas counterpart are the principal cities of theTexarkana metropolitan area,which in 2021 was ranked 289th in the United States with a population of 147,174, according to theUnited States Census Bureau.

Within theArk-La-Texsubregion ofsouthwest Arkansas,Texarkana is located in thePiney Woods,anoak–hickory forestthat dominates the flatGulf Coastal Plain.Texarkana's economy is based on agriculture. The city has long been a trading center, first located at the intersection of major railroads serving Texas, Arkansas and north into Missouri. Since then three majorInterstate highwaysconstructed crossroads here:Interstate 30(I-30),I-49,and the futureI-69.TheRed River Army Depotis the largest single employer in the city.

TheTexarkana Arkansas School Districtis the largest public school district on the Arkansas side. The city has a branch campus of theUniversity of Arkansas Community College at Hope(UACCH). On the Texas side is locatedTexarkana College.

History[edit]

View of Texarkana, 1932

Miller County was formed in 1820 in theArkansas Territory;it was named in honor ofJames Miller,Arkansas' first territorial governor and a general during theWar of 1812.Much of its eastern border is formed by theRed River.At the time, there was considerable uncertainty among Americans as to the location of the boundary between the county (and the United States) and national territory ofMexico,which then included Texas.

Consequently, settlers believed that Arkansas levied and collected taxes on land that eventually might be held by Mexico. Moreover, many who resented what they consideredMexican oppression of European-American Texanswere openly declaring allegiance to the Texans.

After theTexas Republicgained independence from Mexico, regional unrest increased. In 1838, GovernorJames Conwayproposed that the "easiest and most effective remedy is the abolition of Miller County to an area which is more patriotic." Miller County was dissolved and its land was made part ofLafayette County, Arkansas.

In 1873 town lots were sold in Texarkana, Arkansas, at the intersection of two railroads, which stimulated its growth as a trading center. In this area and time period, railroads had replaced rivers as the preferred method of transportation and shipping, and new towns were sited for best advantage via the railroad. The next year (1874),Texarkana, Texas,was founded on the rail line on June 12 across the state border.

That same year, the Arkansas legislature re-established Miller County.[4]Efforts of the young town in Arkansas to be incorporated were not realized until October 17, 1880, nearly seven years after Texarkana, Texas, was formed. Both Texarkana cities generally recognize December 8, 1873, as the date of organization.[4]

On February 11, 1922, masked men lynchedMr. Norman,anAfrican-Americanman, inTexarkana,Miller County, Arkansas.Lynchings were perpetrated by white men primarily against black males, although some black women were also lynched in the South.

Geography[edit]

Municipal Auditorium is located in the City Hall complex.
The Texarkana Fire Department adjoins the Municipal Auditorium.
HighlandChurch of Christat 1705 Highland Street

Texarkana is 143 miles (230 km) southwest ofLittle Rock,72 miles (116 km) north ofShreveport, Louisiana,and 180 miles (290 km) northeast ofDallas,Texas. According to theUnited States Census Bureau,Texarkana has a total area of 42.2 square miles (109 km2), of which 42.0 square miles (109 km2) are land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km2), or 0.54%, are water.[1]The city is mainly drained byNix Creek,a southwest-flowing tributary of Days Creek, part of theSulphur Riverwatershed leading to theRed River.

Climate[edit]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Texarkana has ahumid subtropical climate,abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[5]

Climate data for Texarkana, Arkansas (Webb Field), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 85
(29) 		90
(32) 		94
(34) 		95
(35) 		100
(38) 		108
(42) 		110
(43) 		117
(47) 		108
(42) 		104
(40) 		89
(32) 		84
(29) 		117
(47)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 73.8
(23.2) 		76.2
(24.6) 		83.0
(28.3) 		86.4
(30.2) 		91.3
(32.9) 		95.9
(35.5) 		100.1
(37.8) 		100.7
(38.2) 		96.7
(35.9) 		90.1
(32.3) 		80.1
(26.7) 		74.8
(23.8) 		102.4
(39.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 54.0
(12.2) 		58.2
(14.6) 		66.7
(19.3) 		74.5
(23.6) 		81.6
(27.6) 		88.7
(31.5) 		92.7
(33.7) 		92.8
(33.8) 		86.4
(30.2) 		76.0
(24.4) 		64.3
(17.9) 		55.7
(13.2) 		74.3
(23.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 44.6
(7.0) 		48.3
(9.1) 		56.0
(13.3) 		63.6
(17.6) 		71.6
(22.0) 		78.9
(26.1) 		82.5
(28.1) 		82.0
(27.8) 		75.4
(24.1) 		64.9
(18.3) 		53.9
(12.2) 		46.4
(8.0) 		64.0
(17.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 35.1
(1.7) 		38.4
(3.6) 		45.2
(7.3) 		52.7
(11.5) 		61.6
(16.4) 		69.1
(20.6) 		72.3
(22.4) 		71.3
(21.8) 		64.5
(18.1) 		53.7
(12.1) 		43.6
(6.4) 		37.2
(2.9) 		53.7
(12.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 19.0
(−7.2) 		24.6
(−4.1) 		29.7
(−1.3) 		37.2
(2.9) 		48.2
(9.0) 		60.4
(15.8) 		65.4
(18.6) 		64.5
(18.1) 		52.0
(11.1) 		38.5
(3.6) 		28.0
(−2.2) 		22.9
(−5.1) 		16.8
(−8.4)
Record low °F (°C) −7
(−22) 		−9
(−23) 		11
(−12) 		24
(−4) 		35
(2) 		50
(10) 		56
(13) 		51
(11) 		37
(3) 		21
(−6) 		15
(−9) 		−1
(−18) 		−9
(−23)
Averageprecipitationinches (mm) 3.64
(92) 		4.28
(109) 		4.45
(113) 		4.43
(113) 		5.10
(130) 		3.92
(100) 		3.37
(86) 		2.98
(76) 		3.60
(91) 		4.51
(115) 		3.91
(99) 		4.68
(119) 		48.87
(1,241)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 1.6
(4.1) 		0.2
(0.51) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.9
(2.3) 		2.7
(6.91)
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) 8.2 9.6 10.4 8.9 9.8 8.2 6.7 6.4 6.3 7.2 8.7 9.3 99.7
Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.2
Source:NOAA(snow/snow days 1981–2010)[6][7][8]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18801,390—
18903,528153.8%
19004,91439.3%
19105,65515.1%
19208,25746.0%
193010,76430.4%
194011,8219.8%
195015,87534.3%
196019,78824.6%
197021,6829.6%
198021,459−1.0%
199022,6315.5%
200026,44816.9%
201029,91913.1%
202029,387−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

2020 census[edit]

Texarkana racial composition[10]
Race Number Percentage
White(non-Hispanic) 16,113 54.83%
Black or African American(non-Hispanic) 10,347 35.21%
Native American 158 0.54%
Asian 175 0.6%
Pacific Islander 2 0.01%
Other/Mixed 1,348 4.59%
HispanicorLatino 1,244 4.23%

As of the2020 United States census,there were 29,387 people, 11,404 households, and 7,348 families residing in the city.

2016[edit]

As of thecensus[11]of 2016, there were 30,283 people, 13,565 households, and 7,040 families residing in the city. The population density was 830.5 inhabitants per square mile (320.7/km2). There were 11,721 housing units at an average density of 368.1 per square mile (142.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 65.93%White,31.00%BlackorAfrican American,0.48%Native American,0.50%Asian,0.03%Pacific Islander,0.61% fromother races,and 1.46% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 1.78% of the population.

There were 13,565 households, out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% weremarried couplesliving together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,343, and the median income for a family was $38,292. Males had a median income of $35,204 versus $21,731 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $17,130. About 17.2% of families and 21.7% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 33.0% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or above.

Government and infrastructure[edit]

TheArkansas Department of Correctionoperates theTexarkana Regional Correction Centerin Texarkana.[12]

Arkansas residents whose permanent residence is within the city limits of Texarkana, Arkansas, are exempt from Arkansas individual income taxes.[13]

TheFederal Courthouse(which holds the city's only post office) is located directly on the Arkansas-Texas state line. It is the only federal office building to straddle a state line.

According to the city's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[5] the top employers in the area are:

  1. Red River Army Depot & Tenants 4,135,
  2. Christus St. Michael Health Care 1,800,
  3. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company 1,750,
  4. AECOM/URS 1,300,
  5. Southern Refrigerated Transport 1,235,
  6. Wal-Mart 1,200,
  7. Texarkana TX Independent School District 1,150,
  8. Domtar, Inc. 900,
  9. Graphic Packaging 800,
  10. Wadley Regional Medical Center 755,
  11. Texarkana Arkansas School District 785,

Transportation[edit]

Education[edit]

Public education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by two school districts:

Private education opportunities include:

In 2012, a branch of theUniversity of Arkansas Community College at Hopewas established at Texarkana. It is known as University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT). In 2015 UAHT began partnering with theUniversity of Arkansas Little Rock,to offer bachelor's degree programs through UALR Texarkana, with classes held on the UAHT Texarkana campus.[16]

Pop culture[edit]

  • In 2016, a video of a Texarkana minister defending LGBT rights in a speech went viral online.[17]

Notable people[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Arkansas".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMay 31,2022.
  2. ^abU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Texarkana, Arkansas
  3. ^ab"P1. Race – Texarkana city, Arkansas: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)".U.S. Census Bureau.RetrievedMay 31,2022.
  4. ^ab"Texarkana Chamber of Commerce".Texarkana.org. Archived fromthe originalon April 5, 2015.RetrievedApril 7,2015.
  5. ^"Texarkana, Arkansas Köppen Climate Classification".Weatherbase.com.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.
  6. ^"NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  7. ^"Station: Texarkana Webb FLD, AR".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020).National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  8. ^"U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Texarkana Webb Field, AR (1981–2010)".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedFebruary 22,2023.
  9. ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2016.
  10. ^"Explore Census Data".data.census.gov.RetrievedDecember 30,2021.
  11. ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
  12. ^"Arkansas Department of Corrections".Adc.arkansas.gov.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.
  13. ^"State of Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Texarkana Exemption Letter"(PDF).Dfa.arkansas.gov.RetrievedMarch 26,2011.
  14. ^"History of Texarkana: Did You Know?".Texarkana Arkansas School District. Archived fromthe originalon February 22, 2013.RetrievedNovember 5,2012.
  15. ^"SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Miller County, AR."U.S. Census Bureau.Retrieved on October 15, 2017.
  16. ^"University of Arkansas at Little Rock".Ualr.edu.Archived fromthe originalon June 8, 2017.RetrievedJune 5,2017.
  17. ^"Facebook".Facebook.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.
  18. ^Bill Dahl."Buster Benton | Biography & History".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 9,2017.
  19. ^"Benjamin Marcus Bogard (1868–1951)".encyclopediaofarkansas.net.RetrievedAugust 2,2013.
  20. ^"Mike Cherry, QB at".Nfl.com.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.
  21. ^"Wilhelm Lee Friedell".Military Times.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
  22. ^Mike Huckabee,From Hope to Higher Ground,New York: Center Street Publishers, 2007, p. 5
  23. ^"Jimmy Means • Career & Character Info | Motorsport Database".Motorsport Database - Motor Sport Magazine.RetrievedAugust 8,2021.

External links[edit]

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