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Marion, Arkansas

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Marion, Arkansas
City
Welcome to Marion sign
Welcome to Marion sign
Location in Crittenden County and the state of Arkansas
Location in Crittenden County and the state of Arkansas
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountyCrittenden
Area
 • Total20.42 sq mi (52.89 km2)
Elevation
226 ft (69 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total12,345
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
72364
Area code870
FIPS code05-44180
GNIS feature ID0077597

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.

Geography

Marion is located at 35°12′22″N 90°12′6″W / 35.20611°N 90.20167°W / 35.20611; -90.20167 (35.206092, -90.201734).Template:GR According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.42 square miles (52.9 km2), all land. [2]

Community

Because of Marion's proximity to Memphis and Interstate access it 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. [3].

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. [4] More recently Marion hosts "Christmas on the Square" in early December co-sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club and the Marion Chamber of Commerce [5].

Marion is served by The Woolfolk Public Library [6] 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. [7] 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 watersports.

Transportation

Major Highways

Marion is bisected by Interstate 55 and is located just to the north of it's junction with Interstate 40 prior to it's 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.

Aviation

Marion is served for General Aviation by the West Memphis Municipal Airport (KAWM) [8]. 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.

Rail

Union Pacific operates a 600 Acre intermodal facility west of Marion, Arkansas [9]. 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 [10].

Water

Crittenden County and West Memphis jointly operate a port on the Mississippi River [11]. 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 [12].

Healthcare

Since 1951 Marion and Crittenden County, Arkansas has been served by Crittenden Regional Hospital [13] a 152 bed JCAHO Accredited facility [14] in nearby West Memphis.

Demographics

2010 Census [15]

As of the censusTemplate:GR 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.

Education

Higher Education

Crittenden County is served by Mid-South Community College in West Memphis. The college offers Bachelor's and Masters Degree degree programs in conjunction with Arkansas State University, The University of Arkansas, The University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University and Franklin University [16].

Due to it's proximity to Memphis, the following Schools, Colleges and Universities are nearby in Memphis, Tennessee:

Seminaries

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)

Private schools

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marion, Arkansas.
  1. ^ http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/05/0544180.html
  2. ^ http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/05/0544180.html
  3. ^ http://welcome.memphischamber.com/Articles/Community/MemphisBraggingRights.aspx
  4. ^ http://www.esperanzabonanza.org/
  5. ^ http://marionar.org/visit-marion/what-to-do/
  6. ^ http://www.facebook.com/Woolfolk.Public.Library?sk=wall
  7. ^ http://www.marionarkansas.org/economic/eco002_about.htm
  8. ^ http://www.ci.west-memphis.ar.us/airport.htm
  9. ^ http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/usguide/attachments/state_factsheets/ar.pdf
  10. ^ http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Route_C&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241245653236
  11. ^ http://westmemphis.com/industrial-sites/better-access/river
  12. ^ http://www.portofmemphis.com/about.asp
  13. ^ http://www.crittendenregional.org/
  14. ^ http://www.qualitycheck.org/qualityreport.aspx?hcoid=8687
  15. ^ http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/05/0544180.html
  16. ^ http://www.midsouthcc.edu/index.php?id=55
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