Marion, Arkansas
| Marion, Arkansas | |
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| — City — | |
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| Coordinates: 35°12′22″N 90°12′6″W / 35.20611°N 90.20167°WCoordinates: 35°12′22″N 90°12′6″W / 35.20611°N 90.20167°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Crittenden |
| Area | |
| • Total | 20.42 sq mi (52.89 km2) |
| Elevation | 226 ft (69 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 12,345 |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 72364 |
| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-44180 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0077597 |
Marion is a city and the county seat of Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 12,345 at the 2010 census, a 38.7% increase over the decade 2000-2010.[1] The city is part of the Memphis metropolitan area. It is the second largest city in Crittenden County, behind West Memphis.
Marion is located at 35°12′22″N 90°12′6″W / 35.20611°N 90.20167°W (35.206092, -90.201734).[2] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.42 square miles (52.9 km2), all land.[1]
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[edit] History
Although Marion was incorporated in 1896, the community predates that significantly. The site of Marion was part of Louisiana (New Spain) from 1764 to 1803 when it became Louisiana (New France). Some of the oldest land titles in the area are from Spanish Land Grants from a time prior to the Louisiana Purchase.[3] After the Louisiana Purchase the area was part of the Arkansas Territory. During the 1830s The Trail of Tears forced removal of Native Americans from Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi passed through the area,.[4][5]
The town was founded in 1836 and it is speculated that it was named for Revolutionary War hero General Francis Marion although the usage predates the town's founding.[6] Marion has been incorporated on multiple occasions, first in 1851. The current incorporation dates from 1896.
[edit] Community
Because of its proximity to Memphis and Interstate access Marion offers the activities and enrichment of a large city while maintaining the character of a small community. Memphis hosts NBA Basketball, PGA Golf Tournaments, AAA Pro Baseball, major college Basketball, the Liberty Bowl and other major sporting events that are all easily accessible in a short drive. The same is true of the Live Theater, Concerts, Zoo, Museums, Gardens and nightlife of the city.[7]
In addition to the many community events common to any town, each May Marion hosts the Esperanza Bonanza, a festival that includes live music, a barbecue competition, a rodeo, a golf tournament, a carnival, and games for adults & children.[8] More recently Marion has begun "Christmas on the Square" in early December co-sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club and the Marion Chamber of Commerce.[9]
Marion is served by The Woolfolk Public Library [10] which is jointly operated by Crittenden County and the city of Marion. It was named in honor of a local author and newspaper editor, Margaret Woolfolk.
Outdoor recreation is a big part of community life, from organized youth sports to individual and family activities. Marion is located less than 1 hour from no less than 12 Arkansas, Tennessee or Mississippi State Parks.[11] Additional outdoor recreation is available at Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge about 10 miles north of town. The nearby community of Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas offers opportunity for water sports.
[edit] Geography
Marion is directly west of Memphis Tennessee and shares the same weather and climate.
| Climate data for Memphis (Memphis International Airport) (Averages from 1981-2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 79 (26) |
81 (27) |
87 (31) |
94 (34) |
99 (37) |
104 (40) |
108 (42) |
107 (42) |
103 (39) |
95 (35) |
86 (30) |
81 (27) |
108 (42) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 49.8 (9.9) |
54.7 (12.6) |
63.9 (17.7) |
73.0 (22.8) |
81.2 (27.3) |
88.9 (31.6) |
91.6 (33.1) |
91.3 (32.9) |
85.1 (29.5) |
74.4 (23.6) |
62.6 (17.0) |
52.1 (11.2) |
72.38 (22.44) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 32.6 (0.3) |
36.3 (2.4) |
44.1 (6.7) |
52.9 (11.6) |
62.2 (16.8) |
70.3 (21.3) |
73.8 (23.2) |
72.7 (22.6) |
65.2 (18.4) |
53.8 (12.1) |
43.7 (6.5) |
35.1 (1.7) |
53.56 (11.98) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −8 (−22) |
−11 (−24) |
12 (−11) |
27 (−3) |
38 (3) |
48 (9) |
52 (11) |
48 (9) |
36 (2) |
25 (−4) |
9 (−13) |
−13 (−25) |
−13 (−25) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) | 3.98 (101.1) |
4.39 (111.5) |
5.16 (131.1) |
5.50 (139.7) |
5.25 (133.4) |
3.63 (92.2) |
4.59 (116.6) |
2.88 (73.2) |
3.09 (78.5) |
3.98 (101.1) |
5.49 (139.4) |
5.74 (145.8) |
53.68 (1,363.5) |
| Snowfall inches (cm) | 1.9 (4.8) |
1.3 (3.3) |
0.4 (1) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.1 (0.3) |
0.2 (0.5) |
3.9 (9.9) |
| Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.5 | 9.2 | 10.5 | 9.6 | 10.3 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 9.5 | 9.7 | 106.9 |
| Avg. snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 2.9 |
| Sunshine hours | 167.4 | 175.2 | 213.9 | 255.0 | 300.7 | 321.0 | 325.5 | 306.9 | 252.0 | 244.9 | 174.0 | 151.9 | 2,888.4 |
| Source no. 1: NOAA [12] Climate Normals and Records - National Weather Service Memphis, TN[13] | |||||||||||||
| Source no. 2: NOAA [12] NCDC 1981-2010 Climate Normals [13] | |||||||||||||
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Major Highways
Marion is bisected by _Metric.svg){kind=small}
Interstate 55 and is located just to the north of its junction with Interstate 40 prior to its crossing of the Mississippi River en route to Memphis. U.S. Highway 64 is the major East-West route through the town. Highway 77 is a major North-South arterial road east of Interstate 55 and Highway 118 is the major North-South arterial road west of Interstate 55.
[edit] Aviation
Marion is served for General Aviation by the West Memphis Municipal Airport (KAWM).[14] General DeWitt Spain Airport is a civil aviation airport just north of downtown Memphis. The Memphis International Airport is nearby and provides commercial aviation through numerous carriers and is the international cargo hub for FedEx.
[edit] Rail
Union Pacific operates a 600 Acre intermodal facility west of Marion, Arkansas.[15] BNSF Railway also operates a intermodal yard in Marion.
Limited Passenger Rail is available on Amtrak at Memphis Central Station in nearby Memphis. The City of New Orleans runs twice daily on a North-South route from Chicago to New Orleans.[16]
[edit] Water
Crittenden County and West Memphis jointly operate a port on the Mississippi River.[17] The International Port of Memphis lies just across the Mississippi River via Interstate 55. The International Port of Memphis is the 4th largest inland port in the United States.[18]
[edit] Healthcare
Since 1951 Marion and Crittenden County, Arkansas has been served by Crittenden Regional Hospital [19] a 152 bed JCAHO Accredited facility [20] in nearby West Memphis.
[edit] Demographics
2010 Census [1]
As of the census[21] of 2010, there were 12,345 people and 4,278 households in the city. The population density was 604.4 people per square mile (256.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.1% White, 28% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 1.4% from two or more races. 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
88% of the population had a High School Diploma and 28% reported a Bachelor's Degree or higher. 2.5 of the population is foreign born and 4.4% report a language other than English being spoken at home. The home ownership rate was 71.3% at a median value of $142,200. The Median household income was $60,051. 7.3% of the population are below the poverty line.
[edit] Education
Crittenden County is served by Mid-South Community College in West Memphis. The college offers Bachelor's and Master's Degree degree programs in conjunction with Arkansas State University, The University of Arkansas, The University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University and Franklin University.[22]
Due to its proximity to Memphis, the following schools, colleges and universities are nearby in Memphis, Tennessee:
- Baptist College of Health Sciences (Memphis)
- Christian Brothers University (Memphis)
- LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis)
- Memphis College of Art (Memphis)
- Rhodes College (Memphis) (Memphis)
- Southern College of Optometry (Memphis)
- Southwest Tennessee Community College (Memphis)
- Union University - Germantown campus (Germantown)
- University of Memphis (Memphis)
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy). (Memphis)
- Victory University (Memphis)
- Visible Music College
[edit] Seminaries
- Memphis School of Preaching (Memphis)
- Memphis Theological Seminary (Memphis)
- Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (Germantown)
- Harding University Graduate School of Religion (Memphis)
[edit] Public schools
- Avondale Elementary School (grades pre-k through 1st grade)
- Marion Elementary School (grades 2nd through 3rd)
- Marion Intermediate School (grades 4 through 5)
- Marion Middle School (grades 6 though 7)
- Marion Jr. High School (grades 8 through 9)
- Marion High School (grades 10-12)
[edit] Private schools
- West Memphis Christian School, PK-12 (West Memphis)
- Crittenden Pentecostal Academy, K-12 (West Memphis)
- St. Michael's Catholic School, PK-6 (West Memphis)
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Marion, Arkansas |
- ^ a b c http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/05/0544180.html
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ http://marionar.org/visit-marion/historic-locations/area-history/
- ^ http://www.nps.gov/history/NR/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/118trail/118locate2.htm
- ^ http://www.arkansasheritagetrails.com/Tears/
- ^ http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=870
- ^ http://welcome.memphischamber.com/Articles/Community/MemphisBraggingRights.aspx
- ^ http://www.esperanzabonanza.org/
- ^ http://marionar.org/visit-marion/what-to-do/
- ^ http://www.facebook.com/Woolfolk.Public.Library?sk=wall
- ^ http://www.marionarkansas.org/economic/eco002_about.htm
- ^ a b "Climate Normals and Records - National Weather Service Memphis, TN". National Weather Service. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/meg/?n=climatenormals. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
- ^ a b |date=February 2012}}
- ^ http://www.ci.west-memphis.ar.us/airport.htm
- ^ http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/usguide/attachments/state_factsheets/ar.pdf
- ^ http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Route_C&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241245653236
- ^ http://westmemphis.com/industrial-sites/better-access/river
- ^ http://www.portofmemphis.com/about.asp
- ^ http://www.crittendenregional.org/
- ^ http://www.qualitycheck.org/qualityreport.aspx?hcoid=8687
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://www.midsouthcc.edu/index.php?id=55
[edit] External links
- Marion, Arkansas Chamber of Commerce
- Crittenden County Open Portal Website
- Historic Walking Trail
- Marion Entry Arkansas Encyclopedia of History and Culture
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