Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR MSA | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Little Rock | |
 Central Arkansas
Pine Bluff MSA
Searcy μSA | |
| Coordinates: 34°44′10″N 92°19′52″W / 34.73611°N 92.33111°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| Principal cities | Little Rock North Little Rock Conway |
| Area | |
| • Urban | 258.3 sq mi (669 km2) |
| • MSA | 4,085.18 sq mi (10,580.6 km2) |
| • CSA | 7,150.31 sq mi (18,519.2 km2) |
| Population (2016) | |
| • Urban | 431,388 (US: 89th) |
| • MSA | 734,622[1] (US: 76th) |
| • CSA | 905,847[2] (US: 60th) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 501 & 870 |
| Part of a series on |
| Regions of Arkansas |
|---|
 |
Central Arkansas, also known as the Little Rock metro, designated by the United States Office of Management and Budget as the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area, is the most populous metro area in the US state of Arkansas. With an estimated 2016 population of 734,622, it is the most populated area in Arkansas. Located at the convergence of Arkansas's other geographic regions, the region's central location make Central Arkansas an important population, economic, education, and political center in Arkansas and the South. Little Rock is the state's capital, and the city is also home to two Fortune 500 companies, Arkansas Children's Hospital, and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
History
The site known as "little rock" along the Arkansas River was discovered by explorer Bernard de la Harpe in 1722.[3] The territorial capitol had been located at Arkansas Post in Southeast Arkansas since 1819, but the site had proven unsuitable as a settlement due to frequent flooding of the Arkansas River. Over the years, the "little rock" was known as a waypoint along the river, but remained unsettled. A land speculator from St. Louis, Missouri who had acquired many acres around the "little rock" began pressuring the Arkansas territorial legislature in February 1820 to move the capital to the site, but the representatives could not decide between Little Rock or Cadron (now Conway), which was the preferred site of Territorial Governor James Miller. The issue was tabled until October 1820, by which time most of the legislators and other influential men had purchased lots around Little Rock.[4] The legislature moved the capital to Little Rock, where it has remained ever since.
Geography
Central Arkansas is located in the Southern United States (commonly known as the South in the US), and within a subregion commonly known as the Upper South. The South is a distinct cultural region reliant upon a plantation economy in the 18th and 19th century, until the secession of the Confederate States of America and the Civil War.
The region is the point of convergence for four other Arkansas regions: the Ozarks to the north, the Arkansas River Valley to the west, the Arkansas Delta to the east, and Piney Woods to the southwest.
The Arkansas River crosses the region, and serves as the dividing line between Little Rock and North Little Rock. The Arkansas is an important geographic feature in Central Arkansas, requiring long bridge spans but allowing barge traffic to the Port of Little Rock and points upriver.
Demographics
Central Arkansas includes both the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway MSA, though the broader Little Rock CSA is also considered Central Arkansas. The MSA is defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget as Faulkner, Grant, Lonoke, Perry, Pulaski and Saline counties. The CSA definition adds the Pine Bluff metropolitan area adding Cleveland, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties, and the Searcy Micropolitan Area, which adds White County.
It is the core of the broader Little Rock-North Little Rock Combined Statistical Area (CSA). Its economic, cultural, and demographic center is Little Rock, Arkansas's capital and largest city. The Little Rock Combined Statistical area spans ten counties and had an estimated population of 905,847 in 2016.[2]
Prior to 2002, the area consisted of four core counties: Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline and Lonoke. The area was later expanded to include adjoining Perry County to the west, and Grant County to the south. The city of Conway was designated as a third principal city for the MSA by 2007.
| County Ref. |
Population | Land mi² |
Land km² |
Pop. /mi² |
Pop. /km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulaski County[5] | 393,250 | 759.76 | 1,967.77 | 503.8 | 194.52 |
| Faulkner County[6] | 122,227 | 647.88 | 1,678.00 | 174.8 | 67.49 |
| Saline County[7] | 118,703 | 723.60 | 1,874.12 | 148.0 | 57.14 |
| Lonoke County[8] | 72,228 | 770.73 | 1,996.18 | 88.7 | 34.25 |
| Grant County[9] | 18,082 | 631.81 | 1,636.38 | 28.3 | 10.93 |
| Perry County[10] | 10,132 | 551.40 | 1,428.12 | 18.9 | 7.30 |
| Central Arkansas | 734,622 | 4,085.18 | 10,580.57 | 179.8 | 69.42 |
| Jefferson County[11] | 70,016 | 870.75 | 2,255.23 | 88.9 | 34.32 |
| Lincoln County[11] | 13,705 | 561.52 | 1,454.33 | 25.2 | 9.73 |
| Cleveland County[11] | 8,241 | 597.78 | 1,548.24 | 14.5 | 5.60 |
| Pine Bluff MSA | 91,962 | 2,030.05 | 5,257.81 | 45.3 | 17.49 |
| Searcy μSA[12] | 79,263 | 1,035.08 | 2,680.84 | 74.5 | 28.76 |
| CSA | 905,847 | 7,150.31 | 18,519.22 | 126.7 | 48.92 |
| Arkansas | 2,988,248 | 52,035.48 | 134,771.27 | 56.0 | 21.62 |
2000 Census
MSA
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 610,518 people, 241,094 households, and 165,405 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 75.40% White, 21.02% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.87% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population.
The median income for a household in the MSA was $37,912, and the median income for a family was $44,572. Males had a median income of $31,670 versus $23,354 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $18,305.
CSA
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 785,024 people, 304,335 households, and 210,966 families residing within the CSA. The racial makeup of the CSA was 73.97% White, 22.73% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.93% of the population.
The median income for a household in the CSA was $35,301, and the median income for a family was $41,804. Males had a median income of $31,192 versus $22,347 for females. The per capita income for the CSA was $16,898.
Communities
Communities are categorized based on their populations in the 2000 U.S. Census.
Places with more than 100,000 inhabitants
- Little Rock (principal city)
Places with 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants
- Conway (principal city)
- North Little Rock (principal city)
Places with 10,000 to 50,000 inhabitants
Places with 1,000 to 10,000 inhabitants
Places with 500 to 1,000 inhabitants
|
Places with fewer than 500 inhabitants
|
Population trends
| Year | Metropolitan Statistical Area |
Combined Statistical Area |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 est. | 729,135 | 902,443 |
| 2005 est. | 645,706 | 820,846 |
| 2000 Census | 610,518 | 785,024 |
Economy
The Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, the oldest association in Arkansas, has produced the following list of largest employers in Central Arkansas.
| Employer | Number of employees |
|---|---|
| State of Arkansas | 32,200 |
| Local government | 28,800 |
| Federal government | 9,200 |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | 8,500 |
| Baptist Health | 7,000 |
| Little Rock Air Force Base | 4,500 |
| Acxiom | 4,380 |
| Little Rock School District | 3,500 |
| Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System | 3,500 |
| Entergy Arkansas | 2,740 |
| Pulaski County Special School District | 2,700 |
| AT&T | 2,600 |
| CHI St. Vincent Health System | 2,600 |
| Arkansas Children’s Hospital | 2,470 |
| Dillard's | 2,400 |
| Verizon Wireless | 2,000 |
| Union Pacific Railroad | 2,000 |
| Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield | 1,800 |
| Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. | 2,000 |
| CenterPoint Energy | 1,800 |
Source: Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
Higher education
Notable colleges and universities
| School | Enrollment | Location | Type | Mascot | Athletic Affiliation (Conference) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Arkansas at Little Rock |
11,848 | Little Rock | Public State University |
Trojans | NCAA Division I (Sun Belt) Non-Football |
 University of Central Arkansas |
11,487 | Conway | Public State University |
Bears and Sugar Bears | NCAA Division I FCS (Southland) |
 Hendrix College |
1,348 | Conway | Private liberal arts college |
Warriors | NCAA Division III (SAA) |
Infrastructure
Transportation
Major highways
Interstate 30
Interstate 40
U.S. Highway 64
U.S. Highway 65
U.S. Highway 67
U.S. Highway 70
U.S. Highway 165
U.S. Highway 167
U.S. Highway 270
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Aviation
The Clinton National Airport in Little Rock is the largest commercial airport in the state, with more than 100 flights arriving or departing each day and nonstop jet service to eighteen cities.[14] North Little Rock Municipal Airport, located across the Arkansas River, is designated as a general aviation reliever airport for Clinton National by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).[15] Central Arkansas also has several smaller municipally owned general aviation airports: Conway Airport at Cantrell Field in Conway, Saline County Regional in Benton, Grider Field in Pine Bluff.
Professional sports
The city of Little Rock is home to the Arkansas Travelers. The Travelers are the AA Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. They compete in the Texas League and play their home games at Dickey-Stephens Park.
See also
References
- ^ "Metropolitan Statistical Area". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ a b "Combined Statistical Area". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ "History" (2002), p. 96.
- ^ "History" (2002), pp. 96–97.
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau (July 1, 2016), Pulaski County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts, retrieved December 18, 2017
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau (July 1, 2016), Faulkner County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts, retrieved December 18, 2017
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau (July 1, 2016), Saline County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts, retrieved December 18, 2017
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau (July 1, 2016), Lonoke County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts, retrieved December 18, 2017
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau (July 1, 2016), Grant County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts, retrieved December 18, 2017
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau (July 1, 2016), Perry County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts, retrieved December 18, 2017
- ^ a b c U.S. Census Bureau (July 1, 2016), Jefferson, Lincoln, and Cleveland County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts, retrieved December 18, 2017
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau (July 1, 2016), White County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts, retrieved December 18, 2017
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Airport Info - Little Rock". Arkansas Department of Aeronautics. Archived from the original on January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Airport Info - North Little Rock". Arkansas Department of Aeronautics. Archived from the original on January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
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- Arnold, Morris S.; DeBlack, Thomas A.; Sabo III, George; Whayne, Jeannie M. (2002). Arkansas: A narrative history (1st ed.). Fayetteville, Arkansas: The University of Arkansas Press. ISBN 1-55728-724-4. OCLC 49029558.