Conway, Arkansas
Conway, Arkansas | |
|---|---|
 Part of Conway's historic downtown | |
| Nickname: City of Colleges | |
 Location of Conway in Faulkner County | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Faulkner |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Incorporated | 1875 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Tab Townsell |
| Area | |
• City | 35.26 sq mi (91.32 km2) |
| • Land | 35.05 sq mi (90.77 km2) |
| • Water | 0.21 sq mi (0.55 km2) |
| Elevation | 312 ft (95 m) |
| Population (2006) | |
• City | 57,006 |
| • Density | 1,231.70/sq mi (475.56/km2) |
| • Metro | 675,069('08)Little Rock) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 72032-72035 |
| Area code | 501 |
| FIPS code | 05-15190 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0076661 |
| Website | http://www.cityofconway.org/ |
Conway is the county seat of Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States.Template:GR The population was 43,167 at the 2000 census. A 2005 special census indicated the population had risen to 52,430[1], making Conway the eighth most populous city in Arkansas. It is a principal city of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area which had 675,069 people in 2008. Conway is the second fastest growing city in Arkansas[2] and home to three postsecondary educational institutions, earning it the nickname "The City of Colleges". Conway has a population of 57,006 according to 2007 Census estimates.
Geography
Conway is located at 35°05′14″N 92°27′12″W / 35.087336°N 92.453315°W.Template:GR
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.3 mi² (91.3 km²), of which 35.0 mi² (90.8 km²) is land and 0.2 mi² (0.5 km²) of it (0.60%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 43,167 people, 16,039 households, and 10,168 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,231.7 people per square mile (475.5/km²). There were 17,289 housing units at an average density of 493.3/sq mi (190.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.0% White, 12.1% 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. 3.47% 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. 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.
In November and December 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.[1]
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1940 | 5,800 |
| 1950 | 8,600 |
| 1960 | 12,500 |
| 1970 | 15,510 |
| 1980 | 20,375 |
| 1990 | 26,481 |
| 2000 | 43,167 |
Education
Conway is home to the following colleges and universities:
Over 36% of Conway's adult workforce hold a baccalaureate degree or higher, making it the third best educated city over 10,000 in Arkansas, after 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).
Conway is also home to two private schools: Conway Christian and St. Joseph Catholic School.
History
The City of Conway was founded by Asa 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.[citation needed]
Conway is the home of former Arkansas Supreme Court Justice James D. Johnson, who ran unsuccessful races for governor in 1956 against then fellow Democrat Orval Eugene Faubus and in 1966 against the Republican Winthrop Rockefeller. The conservative Johnson later switched affiliation to the Republican Party but long after the death of his nemesis Rockefeller. Johnson also lost an important race in 1968 for the United States Senate against the incumbent James William Fulbright. His wife, the late Virginia Johnson (d. 2007), ran for governor in 1968, while he was running for senator.[citation needed]
Culture
Conway residents have many opportunities for cultural experiences. 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. The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (http://www.arkshakes.com) is the state's only professional Shakespeare theatre and it is based in Conway with an annual summer festival held in June.
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.
One of the city's largest annual events, Toad Suck Daze, has been held since 1982. The three day community festival incorporates live music, food and craft vendors, and amusement rides during the first weekend of May. Proceeds from he festival fund college scholarships for local students.[4]
Conway is also home to popular sport-fishing destination Lake Conway, home to largemouth bass, crappie, gar, catfish, bream, bowfin, etc.
Conway is the town that country singer Conway Twitty based his stage name on.[citation needed]
Conway held its first ever EcoFest September 12th, 2009, in Laurel Park. EcoFest included exhibits and events relating to "green" and sustainable initiatives, including a cardboard car derby and an alleycat bicycle ride. According to organizers led by Debbie Plopper, the event was a success. Mayor Tab Townsell said the event indicated to him that “interest in sustainability is flourishing in this community.”[5][6]
Business and Industry
Conway is home to one of the world's largest school bus manufacturers, IC Corporation. The Conway plant is one of only two IC manufacturing plants; the other is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. IC Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation of Illinois. IC was previously known as American Transportation (AmTran) Corporation and Ward Body Works. The company was originally founded in 1933.
R. D. “Bob” Nabholz founded Nabholz Construction in Conway in 1949. It currently employs over 800 people company wide and it has been listed by Engineering News Record (ENR) magazine as one of the Top 400 General Contractors every year since 1986, currently the company is ranked #161.
In 1965, Baldwin Piano Company began manufacturing upright pianos at a plant in Conway. Over the years, other piano models were added to the production line. By 1998, the company's 270 employees were manufacturing 2,200 grand pianos a year. Baldwin Piano was acquired by Gibson Instruments in 2003. Gibson has now closed the Baldwin factory.
On June 19, 2008, Hewlett-Packard announced it would be opening a 150,000 sq ft (14,000 m2) facility with 1200 employees in 2009. The building, to be built by the Conway Development Corporation and leased to HP, will be located in The Meadows Office and Technology Park.[7]
Notable natives and residents
- Kris Allen - American Idol Season 8 winner
- David Ayers- "Artist" Impressionist "Blue Book of North American Artist" 1970-1982 Born 1963-
- Peyton Hillis-Arkansas Razorback Football 2004-2008, Denver Bronco 2008-Present
- Private William Long, was murdered in the 2009 Arkansas recruiting office shooting
- Arlie Metheny -- Former Conway school superintendent; Marine and Army officer of World War II
- Bryce Molder - PGA Tour Professional Golfer, 2001-Present
- Robbie Wills - Speaker of the House, Arkansas House of Representatives, 2009-Present
- Gil Gerard - American Actor known for his role as Buck Rogers in a science fiction series by the same name,
- James D. Johnson - former Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, resides in Conway with with wife, Virginia Johnson
- Scottie Pippen - Professional Basketball Player who attended the University of Central Arkansas
References
- ^ a b Montgomery, Jessica (5-10-2006). "Improvements to Country Club Road approved". The Log Cabin Newspaper. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Conway". James Little. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ Lahmeyer, Jan (2003-02-13). "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA : ARKANSAS historical demographical data of the urban centers". Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ Glover, Jeremy (2006-04-30). "Festival was Cabin editor's brainchild". Log Cabin Democrat. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ "Conway EcoFest". 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-21.
- ^ Lamb, Joe (2009-09-12). "EcoFest draws big crowd". Log Cabin Democrat. Retrieved 2009-09-21.
- ^ Lamb, Joe (2008-06-20). "HP cat out of bag, officially". Log Cabin Democrat. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
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
- TheCabin.net, online home of The Log Cabin Democrat, Conway and Faulkner County's local newspaper
- Toad Suck Daze official website
- 10th Arkansas Infantry, Local Regiment During the Civil War
Municipalities and communities of Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
