Conway, Arkansas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Conway, Arkansas | |
| Nickname: "City of Colleges" | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Faulkner |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Incorporated | 1875 |
| Mayor | Tab Townsell |
| Area | |
| - City | 91.32 km² (35.26 sq mi) |
| - Land | 90.77 km² (35.05 sq mi) |
| - Water | 0.55 km² (0.21 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| - City (2000) | 43,167 |
| - Density | 475.56/km² (1,231.70/sq mi) |
| - Metro | 610,518 (Little Rock) |
| 2005 population: 51,999 | |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| Website: http://www.cityofconway.org/ | |
Conway is the largest city and county seat of Faulkner CountyGR6, Arkansas. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 51,999.<ref name=popest2>Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arkansas (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 21 2006). Retrieved on November 16, 2006.</ref>, making it the eighth most populous in Arkansas. It is part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area. Conway is the second fastest growing city in Arkansas [1], and home to three postsecondary educational institutions, earning it the nickname "The City of Colleges".
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[edit] Demographics
In November and December of 2005, the city of Conway commissioned a special census to update its demographic records. The certified results of this Special Census put Conway's population at 52,430[2].
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 43,167 people, 16,039 households, and 10,168 families residing in the city. The population density was 475.5/km² (1,231.7/mi²). There were 17,289 housing units at an average density of 190.5/km² (493.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.03% White, 12.12% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 2.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 16,039 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 22.4% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. Considering this, Conway is the third "youngest city" in Arkansas after Fayetteville and Arkadelphia. For every 100 females there are 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,063, and the median income for a family was $47,912. Males had a median income of $35,021 versus $25,418 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,509. About 9.3% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over. Conway is the home of 112 churches.
[edit] Education
Conway is home to the following colleges and universities:
- Central Baptist College
- Hendrix College
- University of Central Arkansas — estimated enrollment of over 12,000 students for the fall of 2006
Over 36% of Conway's adult workforce hold a baccalaureate degree or higher, making it the third most educated city in Arkansas, behind Maumelle and Fayetteville.
Conway Public Schools is the city's public school district, and Conway High School is one of the largest in the state. Its mascot is the "Wampus Cat", a six-legged cat with "four to run with the speed of light and two to fight with all its might."
The public school system is broken up into four different categories: Elementary (K-4), Intermediate (5-6), Middle (7-8), and High (9-10 at the East Campus and 11-12 at the West Campus).
[edit] History
The City of Conway was founded by A. P. Robinson, who came to Conway shortly after the Civil War. Robinson was the chief engineer for the Little Rock-Fort Smith Railroad (now the Union-Pacific). Part of his compensation was the deed to a tract of land, one square mile, located near the old settlement of Cadron. When the railroad came through, Robinson deeded a small tract of his land back to the railroad for a depot site. He laid off a town site around the depot and named it Conway Station, in honor of a famous Arkansas family. Conway Station contained two small stores, two saloons, a depot, some temporary housing and a post office.
[edit] Culture
Conway residents have many opportunities for cultural expieriences. The Conway Symphony Orchestra performs many times throughout the year, and Conway Community Arts Association has been presenting theatre and other art opportunities to the community for thirty years.
There are also many art, music and theatre opportunities provided by Conway's three colleges. The University of Central Arkansas's Public Appearances program provides a variety of dance, music, and theatre offerings each year.
Conway Public Schools has very strong theatre and music programs, with large concert and marching bands that consistently receive high marks in regional competitions.
[edit] Toad Suck Daze
Toad Suck Daze, a music, arts and food festival that began in 1982, is held annually in downtown Conway during the first weekend in May. Originally held at Toad Suck Park near the Arkansas River Lock and Dam, the festival was moved in 1990 due to flooding and has remained in the downtown area ever since. The festival is one of the largest of its kind in Arkansas, attracting tens of thousands of visitors per year. Notable attractions at the event include carnival rides and "Toad Races," in which visitors race either home-brought or community-bred toads on a modified race course. The festival raises money to give educational scholarships. In 2006, $50,000 was contributed toward scholarships.
The legend behind Toad Suck is that long ago, steam boats traveled the Arkansas River when the water was at the right depth. When it wasn't, the captains and their crew tied up to wait where the Toad Suck Lock and Dam now spans the river near Conway. While they waited, they refreshed themselves at the local tavern. The dismayed folks living nearby were heard to say: "They suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads." Hence, the name Toad Suck. The tavern is long gone, but the legend lives on at Toad Suck Daze.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
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[edit] External links
[edit] Government & civic groups
- Access Conway, the official government website of the City of Conway
- Conway Area Chamber of Commerce official website
- Conway Public Schools website
[edit] Media
- TheCabin.net, online home of The Log Cabin Democrat, Conway and Faulkner County's local newspaper
- Conway Dining, a listing of local restaurants and selected menus, compiled by The Log Cabin Democrat
- The Echo, the online edition of the student newspaper of the University of Central Arkansas
[edit] Community events
- Toad Suck Daze official website
[edit] History
- 10th Arkansas Infantry, Local Regiment During the Civil War
[edit] Geographic statistics
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
