Central Arkansas

For other uses, see Central Arkansas (disambiguation).

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 U.S. state of Arkansas. With an estimated 2020 population of 748,031, 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 largest city, and the city is also home to two Fortune 500 companies, Arkansas Children's Hospital, and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

Central Arkansas
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area
From top to bottom: Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway
Components of the Little Rock– North Little Rock, AR CSA   Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway, AR   Pine Bluff, AR MSA   Searcy, AR μSA
Coordinates: 34°44′10″N 92°19′52″W
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
Principal cities	Little Rock North Little Rock Conway
Area
• Urban	669 km2 (258.3 sq mi)
• MSA	10,580.6 km2 (4,085.18 sq mi)
• CSA	18,519.2 km2 (7,150.31 sq mi)
Population  (2022)
• Urban	461,864 (US: 89th)
• MSA	748,031 (US: 81st)
• CSA	912,604 (US: 62nd)
GDP
• MSA	$47.322 billion (2022)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code	501 & 870

History

The site known as "little rock" along the Arkansas River was found by explorer Bernard de la Harpe in 1722. 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. The legislature moved the capital to Little Rock, where it has remained ever since.

Geography

See also: Geography of Arkansas

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 Deep South, although it is influenced by Upper South culture. 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 five other Arkansas regions: the Ozarks to the north, the Arkansas River Valley & the Ouachita Mountains to the west, the Arkansas Delta to the east, and Piney Woods to the southwest.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park 13 Miles NW of Little Rock, AR

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

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	7,411		—
1850	10,538		42.2%
1860	20,804		97.4%
1870	42,605		104.8%
1880	76,558		79.7%
1890	109,569		43.1%
1900	134,590		22.8%
1910	173,926		29.2%
1920	207,941		19.6%
1930	233,056		12.1%
1940	249,799		7.2%
1950	288,070		15.3%
1960	334,011		15.9%
1970	396,462		18.7%
1980	494,758		24.8%
1990	535,034		8.1%
2000	610,518		14.1%
2010	699,757		14.6%
2020	748,031		6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000

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.

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.

Population, land area & population density (2016 Census)

County Ref.	Population	Land mi2	Land km2	Pop. /mi2	Pop. /km2
Pulaski County	393,250	759.76	1,967.77	503.8	194.52
Faulkner County	122,227	647.88	1,678.00	174.8	67.49
Saline County	118,703	723.60	1,874.12	148.0	57.14
Lonoke County	72,228	770.73	1,996.18	88.7	34.25
Grant County	18,082	631.81	1,636.38	28.3	10.93
Perry County	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	70,016	870.75	2,255.23	88.9	34.32
Lincoln County	13,705	561.52	1,454.33	25.2	9.73
Cleveland County	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	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 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 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 2020 U.S. Census.

Places with more than 100,000 inhabitants

• Little Rock (principal city) (203,842)

Places with 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants

• Conway (principal city) (69,580)
• North Little Rock (principal city) (64,531)

Places with 10,000 to 50,000 inhabitants

• Pine Bluff (39,123)
• Benton (37,558)
• Sherwood (33,118)
• Jacksonville (29,094)
• Cabot (27,190)
• Searcy (23,813)
• Maumelle (19,452)
• Bryant (21,877)
• Hot Springs Village (partial) (15,861)

Places with 1,000 to 10,000 inhabitants

• Beebe (8,871)
• East End (6,147)
• Ward (6,840)
• Greenbrier (6,170)
• Sheridan (5,202)
• Vilonia (4,568)
• Lonoke (4,277)
• Haskell (4,138)
• Landmark (3,620)
• Austin (4,027)
• Gibson (3,515)
• Gravel Ridge (3,232)
• Shannon Hills (3,143)
• England (2,825)
• Salem (2,544)
• Mayflower (2,234)
• Carlisle (2,214)
• McAlmont (1,873)
• Wrightsville (1,542
• Perryville (1,460)

Places with 500 to 1,000 inhabitants

Alexander Leola Wooster Holland Sweet Home

College Station Quitman (partial) Traskwood Cammack Village

Places with fewer than 500 inhabitants

Adona Allport Bauxite Bigelow Casa Coy Perry Enola

Fourche Guy Hensley Houston Humnoke Keo Mount Vernon

Damascus(partial) Poyen Prattsville Scott Tull Twin Groves Woodson

Population trends

Year	Metropolitan Statistical Area	Combined Statistical Area
2020 Census	748,031	912,604
2014 est.	729,135	902,443
2005 est.	645,706	820,846
2000 Census	610,518	785,024

Economy

See also: Economy of Arkansas

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	Nickname	Athletic Affiliation (Conference)
University of Arkansas at Little Rock	11,848	Little Rock	Public State University	Trojans	NCAA Division I (OVC) Non-Football
University of Central Arkansas	11,487	Conway	Public State University	Bears and Sugar Bears	NCAA Division I FCS (ASUN)
Hendrix College	1,348	Conway	Private liberal arts college	Warriors	NCAA Division III (SAA)

Arts and culture

See also: Culture of Arkansas

• Quapaw Quarter – start of the 20th century Little Rock consists of three National Register historic districts with at least a hundred buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Museums

William J. Clinton Presidential Library, in downtown Little Rock

• The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, the state's largest cultural institution, is a museum of art and an active center for the visual and performing arts.

• The Museum of Discovery features hands-on exhibits in the fields of science, history and technology.

• The William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Heifer Village include the Clinton presidential library and the offices of the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton School of Public Service. The Library facility, designed by architect James Polshek, cantilevers over the Arkansas River, echoing Clinton's campaign promise of "building a bridge to the 21st century". The archives and library have 2 million photographs, 80 million pages of documents, 21 million e-mail messages, and nearly 80,000 artifacts from the Clinton presidency. The museum within the library showcases artifacts from Clinton's term and has a full-scale replica of the Clinton-era Oval Office. Opened on November 18, 2004, the Clinton Presidential Center cost $165 million to construct and covers 150,000 square feet (14,000 m²) within a 28-acre (113,000 m²) park.

• The Historic Arkansas Museum is a regional history museum focusing primarily on the frontier time period.

• The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History and Macarthur Park opened in 2001, the last remaining structure of the original Little Rock Arsenal and one of the oldest buildings in central Arkansas, it was the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur who went on to be the supreme commander of US forces in the South Pacific during World War II.

• The Old State House Museum is a former state capitol building now home to a history museum focusing on Arkansas's recent history.

• The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is a nationally accredited, state-funded museum and cultural center focusing on African American history and culture in Arkansas.

• The ESSE Purse Museum illustrates the stories of American women's lives during the 1900s through their handbags and the day-to-day items carried in them.

• The Little Rock Central High School is still a functioning high school but contains a museum, visitors center, and park on the school grounds.

• The Arkansas National Guard Museum

• The Simmons Bank Arena with the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Museum.

• The 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

• The Faulkner County Museum focuses on the prehistory, history, and culture of Faulkner County. Located inside the former Faulkner County Jail, it displays photos, artifacts, equipment, household items, clothing, and arts and crafts by local artists.

• Plantation Agriculture Museum, located in Scott displays artifacts from Arkansas's agricultural history in large farming operations, particularly cotton cultivation. The museum is housed in a circa-1912 general store building, and also features a restored 1912 cotton gin, Seed Warehouse #5, and chronicles the period from Arkansas's statehood to the end of World War II focusing on tenant farming and agricultural mechanization.

• Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park, located in Scott, focuses on the site of a Native American civilization that lived just east of present-day Scott nearly 1,000 years ago. Mounds at the park comprise one of the most significant remnants of Native American life in the state, and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Arkansas Archeological Survey, part of the University of Arkansas system, maintains its Plum Bayou Research Station and laboratory in the park's visitor center.

• The Scott Plantation Settlement, a grouping of relocated buildings including the wooden Cotton Belt Railroad Depot that served Scott, collected to represent the area's plantation-era heritage (much in the same fashion as Little Rock's Historic Arkansas Museum).

• Marlsgate Dortch Plantation, the area's best known example of a plantation family home, was constructed on the Lonoke County side by the Dortch family early in the 20th century and is a popular site for weddings and receptions today.

• Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden

• Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center

• The Galleries at Library Square

• Hearne Fine Art Gallery

• Arkansas School for the Deaf Historical Museum

• Baum Gallery

• Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Sports Complex

• Jacksonville Guitar Center and Museum

• Jacksonville Museum of Military History

• Reed’s Bridge Battlefield Heritage Park

Music and theater

• The Arkansas Repertory Theatre is the state's largest nonprofit professional theatre company. A member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT D), The Rep has produced more than 300 productions, including 40 world premieres, in its building in downtown Little Rock. Producing Artistic Director John Miller-Stephany leads a resident staff of designers, technicians and administrators in eight to ten productions for an annual audience in excess of 70,000 for MainStage productions, educational programming and touring. The Rep produces works from contemporary comedies and dramas to world premiers and the classics of dramatic literature.

• The Community Theatre of Little Rock, founded in 1956, is the area's oldest performance art company.

• The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra performs over 30 concerts a year and many events.

• The Robinson Center Music Hall is the main performance center of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

• The Wildwood Park for the Arts is the largest park dedicated to the performing arts in the South; it features seasonal festivals and cultural events.

• The Argenta Historic District and Argenta Plaza

Parks and Recreation

• The River Market Artspace and Park

• Burns Park

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

• Arkansas Arboretum – at Pinnacle Mountain; it has a trail with flora and tree plantings.

• Arkansas River Trail

• Little Rock Zoo – consists of at least 725 animals and over 200 species

• Pinnacle Mountain State Park

• Willow Springs Water Park – one of the first water theme parks in the U.S., built in 1928.

• Bayou Meto Urban Canoe Trail

Infrastructure

Major highways

Rock Region Metro streetcar near the River Market District in Little Rock, AR

US 167 in Sheridan

"Big Dam Bridge" as seen from North Little Rock, AR

• Interstate 30
  • Interstate 430
  • Interstate 530
  • Interstate 630
• Interstate 40
  • Interstate 440
• 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

Aviation

Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, AR

See also: Clinton National Airport

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. 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). 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

Dickey–Stephens Park

Main article: Arkansas Travelers

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

• Arkansas metropolitan areas
• Enola earthquake swarm

References

• 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.