North Little Rock

History

Originally named Argenta, Arkansas, the community was founded on April 18, 1871. 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.

Geography

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.

Climate

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.

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. 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. Severe thunderstorms can occur, especially during the spring.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, North Little Rock had a population of 64,591 with 28,967 households and 14,720 families. The population density was 1,234.2 people per square mile.

The median age was 37.6 years; 23.0% of residents were under 18 (including 6.9% under age 5), and 16.1% were 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.9 males age 18 and over.

About 95.4% of residents lived in urban areas and 4.6% lived in rural areas.

Of the city's households, 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 30.5% were married-couple households, 23.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 39.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 32,856 housing units, of which 11.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.8%.

2010 census

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. 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.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,578, and the median income for a family was $43,595. Males had a median income of $31,420 versus $24,987 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,662. 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.

Arts and culture

Points of interest

Argenta Historic District

Argenta Plaza

Arkansas National Guard Museum

Burns Park

Simmons Bank Arena with the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Museum

McCain Mall

Lakewood Village

Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, and the Navy tug Hoga (YT-146), a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the USS Razorback (SS-394), which was at the surrender in Tokyo Bay

Sports

Dickey-Stephens Park is the location of the Arkansas Travelers baseball team.

Parks and recreation

Arkansas River Trail

Big Rock Quarry Park, which includes a Bike Park and Pump Track

Burns Park, one of the largest city-owned parks in the United States, contains a baseball and softball complex, soccer complex, campground, two golf courses, hiking trails, amusement park, and tennis complex.

Campbell Lake Park

Conley Park

Crestview Park

Emerald Park

Fearneyhough Park

Idlewild Park

North Little Rock Riverfront Park (formally known as North Shore Riverwalk Park)

Riverview Park, includes a skate park with street elements and a bowl

T. R. Pugh Memorial Park, location of the Old Mill in the movie Gone With The Wind

Vestal Park

W.C. Faucette Memorial Park

Witkowski Park

Government

The City of North Little Rock elected officials are a mayor, city council of eight members (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.

Intergovernmental relations

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.

Education

Public primary and secondary schools

Most students attend public schools in the North Little Rock School District which includes:

One high school

North Little Rock High School grades 9-12

One middle school

North Little Rock Middle School, which is subdivided into a 6th grade campus and a 7-8th grade campus

Nine elementary schools

Amboy Elementary

Boone Park Elementary

Crestwood Elementary

Glenview Elementary

Indian Hills Elementary

Lakewood Elementary

Meadow Park Elementary

Ridge Road Elementary (formerly Ridge Road Middle School)

Seventh Street Elementary

One early childhood center

Pike View Early Childhood Center

The North Little Rock High School West Campus facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its art-deco architecture style.

In addition, the Pulaski County Special School District administers several other North Little Rock area schools, including:

Private primary and secondary schools

In North Little Rock, there are a number of private schools:

Calvary Academy (PreK3-12)

Central Arkansas Christian Schools (PreK3-12)

Immaculate Conception (K-8)

North Little Rock Montessori

North Little Rock Catholic Academy (PreK3-8)

Formed in 2007 by the merger of St. Mary School and St. Patrick School.

North Little Rock previously had a Catholic grade school for black students, St. Augustine School. It closed in 1976.

Post-secondary education

University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

Shorter College (Arkansas)

Public libraries

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.

Infrastructure

Transportation

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 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.

Police

The North Little Rock Police Department operates unmanned aerial vehicles and has been working with a small pilotless helicopter since 2008.

Fire department

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.

Hospitals

Baptist Health Medical Center - North Little Rock

Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center

Arkansas Surgical Hospital

Notable people

Joey Lauren Adams, actress and director

Ben M. Bogard, American Baptist Association founder, clergyman in North Little Rock

Maxine Brown, country singer (of The Browns fame)

A. J. Burnett, former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher

John Burkhalter, businessman and politician

Maurice Clemmons, perpetrator of 2009 Lakewood shooting

Donnie Copeland, Pentecostal pastor and member of the Arkansas House of Representatives

Jeremy Davis, bassist for pop-punk band Paramore

Pat Hays, former mayor of North Little Rock

Cliff Hoofman, Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court

Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys

Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys running back

Glenn Myatt, Major League Baseball catcher

Tommy Norman, North Little Rock Police Officer, known for positive community policing

Charles Robinson, Arkansas State Treasurer

Tommy F. Robinson, North Little Rock Police Officer, Pulaski County Sheriff, U.S. Representative

Pharoah Sanders, jazz saxophonist

Sister cities

Uiwang, South Korea

Samsun, Türkiye