North Little Rock is a city in Pulaski County, Arkansas, across the Arkansas from Little Rock in the central part of the state. The population was 64,591 at the 2020 census. In 2019 the estimated population was 65,903,[3] 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 | |
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City of North Little Rock, Arkansas | |
![]() View of North Little Rock from across the Arkansas | |
![]() Location of North Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas | |
![]() ![]() North Little Rock Location in the Arkansas | |
Coordinates: 34°46′51″N 92°15′25″W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
County | Pulaski |
Township | Hill |
Founded | April 18, 1871 (1871-04-18) |
Incorporated | July 17, 1901 (1901-07-17) |
Named for | Little Rock, Arkansas |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor–Council |
• Mayor | Terry Hartwick |
• Council | North Little Rock City Council |
Area | |
• City | 56.20 sq mi (145.55 km2) |
• Land | 53.04 sq mi (137.38 km2) |
• Water | 3.15 sq mi (8.16 km2) |
Elevation | 266 ft (81 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• City | 64,591 |
• Rank | US: 524th |
• Density | 1,217.69/sq mi (470.15/km2) |
• Urban | 431,388 (US: 88th) |
• Metro | 729,135 (US: 75th) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
ZIP codes | 72114-119, 721124, 72190, 72199 |
Area code | 501 |
FIPS code | 05-50450 |
GNIS feature ID | 0077862[2] |
Website | www![]() |
The city's downtown is anchored in the Argenta Historic District, the location of Dickey-Stephens Park, home of the Arkansas Travelers minor league baseball team, and Simmons Bank Arena, the metropolitan area's main entertainment venue. Farther west is Burns Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.
Originally named Argenta, Arkansas, it was founded on April 18, 1871.[4] In 1890, the city of Little Rock annexed Argenta as part of its eighth ward, preempting a competing petition to incorporate. As part of a plan to reclaim its independence, Argenta was incorporated on July 17, 1901, as the town of "North Little Rock". By 1904, the state's supreme court allowed North Little Rock to annex what was left of the ward. It readopted the name Argenta in 1906, only to revert to North Little Rock in October 1917. Evidence of the old town can still be found in the North Little Rock City Hall (built in 1914) which contains plaques referring to Argenta, and incorporates "C of A" (i.e. City of Argenta) ornamental features.[5]
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.
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.[6]
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, though occasionally August can claim the distinction.[7] 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.[8] 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 Little Rock (Little Rock Nat'l Airport), 1991−2020 normals,[lower-alpha 1] extremes 1875−present[lower-alpha 2] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 83 (28) |
87 (31) |
91 (33) |
95 (35) |
98 (37) |
107 (42) |
112 (44) |
114 (46) |
106 (41) |
98 (37) |
86 (30) |
81 (27) |
114 (46) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 72 (22) |
76 (24) |
82 (28) |
86 (30) |
91 (33) |
96 (36) |
100 (38) |
101 (38) |
96 (36) |
89 (32) |
80 (27) |
73 (23) |
102 (39) |
Average high °F (°C) | 50.5 (10.3) |
55.2 (12.9) |
63.7 (17.6) |
72.8 (22.7) |
80.5 (26.9) |
88.2 (31.2) |
91.7 (33.2) |
91.5 (33.1) |
85.1 (29.5) |
74.2 (23.4) |
61.9 (16.6) |
52.6 (11.4) |
72.3 (22.4) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 40.7 (4.8) |
44.7 (7.1) |
52.7 (11.5) |
61.4 (16.3) |
69.9 (21.1) |
78.0 (25.6) |
81.4 (27.4) |
80.8 (27.1) |
74.0 (23.3) |
62.6 (17.0) |
51.1 (10.6) |
43.0 (6.1) |
61.7 (16.5) |
Average low °F (°C) | 30.9 (−0.6) |
34.2 (1.2) |
41.8 (5.4) |
50.1 (10.1) |
59.3 (15.2) |
67.7 (19.8) |
71.2 (21.8) |
70.1 (21.2) |
62.9 (17.2) |
50.9 (10.5) |
40.2 (4.6) |
33.3 (0.7) |
51.0 (10.6) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 16 (−9) |
21 (−6) |
27 (−3) |
37 (3) |
47 (8) |
60 (16) |
66 (19) |
64 (18) |
50 (10) |
37 (3) |
26 (−3) |
20 (−7) |
14 (−10) |
Record low °F (°C) | −8 (−22) |
−12 (−24) |
11 (−12) |
28 (−2) |
38 (3) |
46 (8) |
54 (12) |
52 (11) |
37 (3) |
27 (−3) |
10 (−12) |
−1 (−18) |
−12 (−24) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.50 (89) |
3.97 (101) |
4.96 (126) |
5.59 (142) |
5.08 (129) |
3.55 (90) |
3.33 (85) |
3.16 (80) |
3.01 (76) |
4.47 (114) |
4.72 (120) |
5.08 (129) |
50.42 (1,281) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.1 (2.8) |
1.6 (4.1) |
0.5 (1.3) |
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) |
0.6 (1.5) |
3.8 (9.7) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.2 | 9.3 | 10.5 | 9.4 | 10.9 | 8.0 | 8.7 | 7.2 | 6.6 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 105.9 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 2.2 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 180.9 | 188.2 | 244.5 | 276.7 | 325.3 | 346.2 | 351.0 | 323.0 | 271.9 | 251.0 | 176.9 | 166.2 | 3,101.8 |
Percent possible sunshine | 58 | 62 | 66 | 71 | 75 | 80 | 80 | 78 | 73 | 72 | 57 | 54 | 70 |
Source: NOAA (sun 1961−1990 at North Little Rock Airport)[9][10][11][12] |
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1910 | 11,138 | — | |
1920 | 14,048 | 26.1% | |
1930 | 19,418 | 38.2% | |
1940 | 21,137 | 8.9% | |
1950 | 44,097 | 108.6% | |
1960 | 58,032 | 31.6% | |
1970 | 60,040 | 3.5% | |
1980 | 64,388 | 7.2% | |
1990 | 61,741 | −4.1% | |
2000 | 60,433 | −2.1% | |
2010 | 62,304 | 3.1% | |
2020 | 64,591 | 3.7% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[13] |
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White | 28,430 | 44.02% |
Black or African American | 27,465 | 42.52% |
Native American | 222 | 0.34% |
Asian | 726 | 1.12% |
Pacific Islander | 30 | 0.05% |
Other/Mixed | 3,126 | 4.84% |
Hispanic or Latino | 4,592 | 7.11% |
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 64,591 people, 27,903 households, and 14,720 families residing in the city.
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 inhabitants 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[citation needed]. 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[citation needed].
The median income for a household in the city was $35,578, and the median income for a family was $43,595[citation needed]. Males had a median income of $31,420 versus $24,987 for females[citation needed]. The per capita income for the city was $19,662[citation needed]. 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[citation needed].
Dickey-Stephens Park is the location of the Arkansas Travelers baseball team.
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.[17]
North Little Rock is home to the headquarters of the Arkansas Municipal League (AML), the state's only municipal representation organization. AML prides itself on providing leadership to each city or town before the state and federal governments. It is also a place for discussion and sharing of mutual concerns.[18]
Most students attend public schools in the North Little Rock School District[citation needed] which includes:
The North Little Rock High School West Campus facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its art-deco architecture style.[citation needed]
In addition, the Pulaski County Special School District administers several other North Little Rock area schools, including:
Scipio Jones High School, the segregated public school for black children, was established in 1909 and disestablished in 1970.[19]
In North Little Rock there are a number of private schools:
North Little Rock previously had a Catholic grade school for black people, St. Augustine School. It closed in 1976.[21]
The North Little Rock Public Library System has two branches: the Argenta Branch Library and the William F. Laman branch, which was named after a former mayor.[22]
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.
North Little Rock is home to the headquarters of Rock Region Metro, Arkansas's largest transit agency. Before 2015, it was known as CATA (Central Arkansas Transit Authority). That same year, all of CATA's former buses were retrofitted to be energy-efficient. Rock Region's main bus terminal is located in Little Rock nearby the city's River Market. Rock Region also has the Metro Rail streetcars, which are a group of classic black and yellow streetcars that can be seen in Little Rock’s River Market and North Little Rock’s Argenta.
In the city's northern part is the North Little Rock Municipal Airport. It has several hangars and is frequented by people who fly biplanes. It is a reliever airport for Clinton National Airport. It is also home to the National Weather Service North Little Rock, Arkansas. This is a major weather service authority in the region and frequently works with major media platforms to inform Arkansans of weather patterns in the state.
North Little Rock | |
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Crime rates* (2012) | |
Violent crimes | |
Homicide | 8 |
Rape | 9 |
Robbery | 177 |
Aggravated assault | 255 |
Total violent crime | 449 |
Property crimes | |
Burglary | 1,204 |
Larceny-theft | 3,894 |
Motor vehicle theft | 373 |
Arson | 10 |
Total property crime | 5,471 |
Notes *Number of reported crimes per 100,000 population. 2012 population: 63,125 Source: 2012 FBI UCR Data |
The North Little Rock Police Department operates unmanned aerial vehicles and has been working with a small pilotless helicopter since 2008.[23]
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.[24]
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Education |
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This list is incomplete. |
Municipalities and communities of Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States | ||
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County seat: Little Rock | ||
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CDPs | ||
Other unincorporated communities | ||
Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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