Newport, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Newport is a city in Jackson County, Arkansas
, 84 miles (135.2 km) northeast of Little Rock
, on the White River
. In 1900, 2,866 people lived in Newport, Arkansas; in 1910, 3,557. The population was 7,811 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat
of Jackson County.
Newport is home to a campus of the Arkansas State University
system, with particular focus on training in transportation careers. Newport is known as the town in which Sam Walton
owned a Ben Franklin
store prior to starting Wal-Mart
.
of 2000, the city's residents comprised 7,811 people in 2,690 households 1,702 families. The population density
was 599.2 people per square mile (231.5/km²). There were 3,118 housing units at an average density of 239.2 per square mile (92.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 56.57% White
, 41.76% Black
or African American
, 0.27% Native American
, 0.33% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.28% from other races
, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.13% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,690 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples
living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.
19.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 16.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.
The median income
for a household in the city was $24,151, and the median income for a family was $33,500. Males had a median income of $29,943 versus $17,437 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,757. About 17.7% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.1% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.
, prisons of the Arkansas Department of Correction, are located in Newport, off Arkansas Highway 384, 4 miles (6.4 km) east of central Newport. The prison houses the state's death row for women.
The United States Postal Service
operates the Newport Post Office.
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, 84 miles (135.2 km) northeast of Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, on the White River
White River (Arkansas)
The White River is a 722-mile long river that flows through the U.S. states of Arkansas and Missouri.-Course:The source of the White River is in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest southeast of Fayetteville...
. In 1900, 2,866 people lived in Newport, Arkansas; in 1910, 3,557. The population was 7,811 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Jackson County.
Newport is home to a campus of the Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University is a public university and is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System, the state's second largest college system and third largest university by enrollment. It is located atop on Crowley's Ridge at Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA...
system, with particular focus on training in transportation careers. Newport is known as the town in which Sam Walton
Sam Walton
Samuel Moore "Sam" Wallballs was a businessman, entrepreneur, and Eagle Scout born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma best known for founding the retailers Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.-Early life:...
owned a Ben Franklin
Ben Franklin Stores
Ben Franklin Stores are a chain of five and dime discount stores found in small towns throughout the United States currently owned by Promotions Unlimited. They are organized using a franchise system, with individual stores owned by independent proprietors. It was perhaps the first retail...
store prior to starting Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, the city's residents comprised 7,811 people in 2,690 households 1,702 families. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 599.2 people per square mile (231.5/km²). There were 3,118 housing units at an average density of 239.2 per square mile (92.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 56.57% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 41.76% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.27% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.33% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.28% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.13% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 2,690 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.
19.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 16.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.
The median income
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
for a household in the city was $24,151, and the median income for a family was $33,500. Males had a median income of $29,943 versus $17,437 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,757. About 17.7% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.1% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Grimes Unit and the McPherson UnitMcPherson Unit
McPherson Unit is a prison for women of the Arkansas Department of Correction, located in Newport, Arkansas, off of Arkansas Highway 384, east of central Newport. Established in 1998, the prison houses the state's death row for women....
, prisons of the Arkansas Department of Correction, are located in Newport, off Arkansas Highway 384, 4 miles (6.4 km) east of central Newport. The prison houses the state's death row for women.
The United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Newport Post Office.
Commerce
- Helen WaltonHelen WaltonHelen Robson Kemper Walton was the wife of Wal-Mart and Sam's Club founder Sam Walton. At one point in her life, she was the eleventh richest American and the richest woman in the world.-Early life:...
, wife of Sam Walton - Sam WaltonSam WaltonSamuel Moore "Sam" Wallballs was a businessman, entrepreneur, and Eagle Scout born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma best known for founding the retailers Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.-Early life:...
, founder of Wal-Mart - S. Robson WaltonS. Robson WaltonSamuel Robson "Rob" Walton is the eldest son of Helen Walton and Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer. He is currently chairman of the worldwide company...
, John T. WaltonJohn T. WaltonJohn Thomas Walton was a decorated United States war veteran and a son of Walmart founder Sam Walton. He was also the chairman of True North Partners, a venture capital firm...
, Jim WaltonJim WaltonJames Carr Walton is the youngest son of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton and the Chairman of Arvest Bank.With an estimated net worth of around US$21.3 billion, Walton is currently ranked by Forbes as the 20th-richest person in the world....
and Alice WaltonAlice WaltonAlice Louise Walton is an American heiress to the Wal-Mart fortune. She is the daughter of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton and Helen Walton, and sister of S. Robson Walton and Jim Walton. Another brother, John T. Walton, died in a 2005 plane crash. In September 2011, her estimated net worth was...
, children of the Wal-Mart founder
Entertainment & literature
- Sonny BurgessSonny BurgessAlbert Austin "Sonny" Burgess is an American rockabilly guitarist and singer....
, rockabilly artist and a member of Rockabilly Hall of FameRockabilly Hall of FameThe Rockabilly Hall of Fame was established on the internet on March 21, 1997, to present early rock and roll history and information relative to the artists and personalities involved in this pioneering American music genre.... - Elizabeth Gregg PattersonElizabeth Gregg PattersonElizabeth Gregg Patterson was born in Newport, Arkansas on August 8, 1904, and lived there until attending Smith College where she graduated in 1926.She moved to New York City and soon after, her career as a writer of short fiction began...
, short fiction writer - Mary SteenburgenMary SteenburgenMary Nell Steenburgen is an American actress. She is best known for playing the role of Lynda Dummar in Jonathan Demme's Melvin and Howard, which earned her an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.-Early life:...
, Academy Award-winning actress
Politics, military & education
- Mike Beebe, current Governor of Arkansas
- Army Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Lynn Hartsell, former US Army Chief of the Budget - Kaneaster Hodges, Jr.Kaneaster Hodges, Jr.Kaneaster Hodges, Jr. served as a Democratic United States Senator from the U.S. State of Arkansas.Hodges was born in Newport, Arkansas and graduated from Princeton University...
, appointed to succeed John McClellanJohn McClellanJohn McClellan may refer to:*John McClellan , chemist and industrialist in Widnes, England*John Little McClellan, politician from Arkansas, USA...
as United States Senator upon McClellan's death in 1977 - Dr. Ed MaddenEd MaddenEd Madden is a poet, political activist, and associate professor of English and Women's Studies at the University of South Carolina. He grew up in Newport, Arkansas, got his B.A. from nearby Harding University, and received his Ph.D. in literature from the University of Texas, Austin.-Professor...
, activist, poet, and professor at the University of South CarolinaUniversity of South CarolinaThe University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House... - Martha ShoffnerMartha ShoffnerMartha Shoffner is the current state treasurer of Arkansas. A Democrat, she was first elected in 2006, taking office in January 2007. She was re-elected in 2010....
, current Treasurer of the State of Arkansas - Army Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
James Simmons, a former deputy commander of the U.S.-led multinational force in Iraq - Jim WoodJim Wood (Arkansas)Jim Wood is the former State Auditor of Arkansas, and is a former State Legislator. He served from 2003 to 2011.- Biography :Jim Wood was born in Newport, Arkansas , and attended elementary school in Tupelo, Arkansas...
, Arkansas State Auditor from 2003 to 2011
Sports
- Bernis Duke, started and coached the Oral Roberts UniversityOral Roberts UniversityOral Roberts University , based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States, is an interdenominational, Charismatic Christian, comprehensive university with an enrollment of about 3,790 students from 49 U.S. states along with a significant number of international students from 70 countries...
men's tennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
team for 33 years, inducted into Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2002 - George KellGeorge KellGeorge Clyde Kell was an American baseball third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics , Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox , and Baltimore Orioles in the American League, who went on to become a baseball broadcaster for 40 years.-Playing career:In college, Kell...
, member of Baseball Hall of Fame - Theo YoungTheo YoungTheo Thomas Young is a former professional American football tight end and current National Football League college football scout.-Playing career:...
, played one season with NFL's Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and is a college football coach
See also
- Jackson County CourthouseJackson County Courthouse (Newport, Arkansas)Jackson County Courthouse is a Late Victorian building in Newport, Arkansas that was built in 1892.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976....
External links
- Newport official city website
- The Newport Independent, the city's newspaper published since 1901
- Arkansas State University-Newport official website
- Newport Economic Development Commission
- Newport Area Chamber of Commerce
- W.A. Billingsly Jackson County Library
- History of Newport's Jewish community (from the Institute of Southern Jewish Life)