Fayetteville, Arkansas

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For the surrounding metropolitan area (Northwest Arkansas), see Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metropolitan area.
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Street leading up to town square in Fayetteville
Street leading up to town square in Fayetteville
Location in Arkansas
Location in Arkansas
Coordinates: 36°4′35″N 94°9′39″W / 36.07639, -94.16083
Country United States
State Arkansas
County Washington
Incorporated 1906
Government
 - Mayor Dan Coody
Area
 - City 44.5 sq mi (115.2 km²)
 - Land 43.4 sq mi (112.5 km²)
 - Water 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Elevation 1,400 ft (427 m)
Population (2006)
 - City 67,158
 - Density 1,336.6/sq mi (516.1/km²)
 - Metro 420,876
Time zone Central (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) Central (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 72701-72704
Area code(s) 479
FIPS code 05-23290
GNIS feature ID 0076914
Website: http://www.accessfayetteville.org

Fayetteville is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States, and is home to the University of Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,047. However, a special census completed in June 2006 showed the population to be 67,158. The city is the third most populous in Arkansas and serves as the county seat of Washington County.[1] It was also ranked 8th on Forbes Magazine's Top 10 Best Places in America for Business and Careers. [2]

Contents

[edit] Geography

Fayetteville is located at 36°4′35″N, 94°9′39″W (36.076379, -94.160912)[3]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.5 square miles (115.2 km²), of which, 43.4 square miles (112.5 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it (2.40%) is water. Fayetteville is in the Ozark Mountains.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 58,047 people, 23,798 households, and 12,136 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,336.6 people per square mile (516.1/km²). There were 25,467 housing units at an average density of 586.4/sq mi (226.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.50% White, 5.11% Black or African American, 1.26% Native American, 2.56% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.99% from other races, and 2.42% from two or more races. 4.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Fayetteville was the second best educated city in Arkansas (after Maumelle) in the Census, proportionately, with 44.8% of adults age 25 or older holding an associate degree or higher, and 41.2% of adults possessing a baccalaureate degree or higher. However, the city had the highest percentage of adults with masters, doctorate, or professional degrees (17.9%).

There were 23,798 households out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18 , 25.7% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,345, and the median income for a family was $45,074. Males had a median income of $30,069 versus $22,693 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,311. 19.9% of the population and 11.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

[edit] Points of interest

Dickson Street, the center of activity in Fayetteville.
Dickson Street, the center of activity in Fayetteville.
The Fayetteville Public Library
The Fayetteville Public Library
The Stone House
The Stone House
Old Main, original University of Arkansas building.
Old Main, original University of Arkansas building.

The city is served by Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Highfill, Arkansas. The airport also serves Springdale, Arkansas, Bentonville, Arkansas (home to Wal-Mart), Rogers, Arkansas, and all of Northwest Arkansas.

Some of Fayetteville's highlights include the town square, where a farmer's market is held from April through November, and Dickson Street, a main street that is lined with shops and restaurants and that leads through town to the University of Arkansas. The Walton Arts Center, located on Dickson Street (and named after members of the Walton family) is a performing arts center that puts on plays, concerts and other cultural events. Fayetteville was the first home of Bill and Hillary Clinton while they both taught law at the University of Arkansas School of Law. The house where they were married and lived is now a museum highlighting his early political life and features campaign memorabilia, a replica of Hillary's wedding dress, a photo gallery, and footage from his early campaign commercials[1].

The Fayetteville Public Library, founded in 1916, relocated in October 2004 into a $23 million dollar building, which was the first "green" building in Fayetteville. On June 3, 2006, the library celebrated its 90th birthday. The Blair Library was awarded the 2005 Thomson Gale Library Journal Library of the Year award, and, as a testament to its popularity, has seen its popularity increase dramatically, with three times more items checked out in 2005 than in 1997 [5]. The library includes a local coffeeshop, Arsaga's, and hosts several events, including film festivals, book signings, and public forums throughout the year.

Other points of interest include:

[edit] Accolades

  • Named one of America's Most Livable Cities in 2004 and 2005[6]
  • Designated as one of the "Best Places to Live in America" by Money Magazine [7]
  • Ranks as the number 8 "Best Metro" in Forbes' 2007 list of "Best Places For Business And Careers" [8]
  • Ranked #1 for job growth by the Milken Institute in 2003 [9]
  • Listed in 50 Fabulous Places to Retire in America, 2nd edition
  • Featured in "Lifestyle Magazine", "Southern Living" and "The Best Towns in America"

[edit] Notable natives and residents

[edit] References

  1. ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ Best Places For Business And Careers. Forbes Magazine (2007-04-05). Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
  3. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ Fayetteville Public Library: History. Fayetteville Public Library (2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
  6. ^ America's Most Livable: Fayetteville, AR. About Partners. Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
  7. ^ MONEY Magazine: Best places to live 2006: Fayetteville, AR. Money Magazine (2006). Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
  8. ^ Best Places For Business And Careers. Forbes Magazine (2007-04-05). Retrieved on 2007-07-31.
  9. ^ Best Performing Cities: Where America’s Jobs are Created. Milken Institute (June 2003). Retrieved on 2007-07-31.

[edit] External links

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Municipalities and communities of
Washington County, Arkansas
County seat: Fayetteville
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