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Fordyce, Arkansas

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Country
  
United States

County
  
Dallas

FIPS code
  
05-24220

Elevation
  
87 m

Zip code
  
71742

Local time
  
Tuesday 9:54 AM

State
  
Arkansas

Time zone
  
Central (CST) (UTC-6)

GNIS feature ID
  
0049160

Area
  
17.5 km²

Population
  
4,202 (2013)

Area code
  
870

Fordyce, Arkansas httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Weather
  
5°C, Wind N at 11 km/h, 69% Humidity

Fordyce is a city in Dallas County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,300 at the 2010 census, down from 4,799 at the 2000 census.

Contents

Map of Fordyce, AR 71742, USA

The city is the county seat, home to the 1911 Dallas County Courthouse (Arkansas).

Within Fordyce there are 19 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Fordyce Home Accident Insurance Company.

Geography

Fordyce is located in southeastern Dallas County, with the city's southern border following the Calhoun County line. U.S. Routes 79 and 167 bypass the city center to the north and west, while Arkansas Highway 8 passes through the downtown area. US 79 leads northeast 42 miles (68 km) to Pine Bluff and southwest 31 miles (50 km) to Camden, while US 167 leads north 35 miles (56 km) to Sheridan and south 51 miles (82 km) to El Dorado. AR 8 leads southeast 26 miles (42 km) to Warren and northwest 49 miles (79 km) to Arkadelphia.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Fordyce has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.5 km2), all land.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 4,300 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 53.3% Black, 42.0% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race and 1.1% from two or more races. 2.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,799 people, 1,737 households, and 1,186 families residing in the city. The population density was 727.8 people per square mile (281.2/km²). There were 2,024 housing units at an average density of 307 square miles (800 km2). The racial makeup of the city was 48.61% White, 49.66% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.75% from other races, and 0.38% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,737 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city, the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,297, and the median income for a family was $30,120. Males had a median income of $24,971 versus $15,553 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,118. About 16.2% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.2% of those under age 18 and 19.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education is provided by the Fordyce School District. The city and surrounding area is served by Fordyce High School. The school's athletic teams are the Redbugs.

Notable people

  • Anderson W. Atkinson, U.S. Air Force general
  • Jim Benton, pro football star in the 1940s
  • Paul "Bear" Bryant, college football coach, attended Fordyce High School
  • Cory Carr (born 1975), American-Israeli basketball player for the Israeli team Elitzur Ramla B.C.
  • James Hal Cone, theologian
  • Raylee Johnson, NFL player, defensive end for the San Diego Chargers
  • Larry Lacewell, former college football coach and director of scouting for Dallas Cowboys
  • Red Parker, college football coach
  • Ray Phillips, NFL player, linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles
  • Ray E. Porter, World War II general who won the Purple Heart and the Legion of Merit
  • John Thach, World War II naval aviator, later promoted to admiral
  • Kevin Williams, NFL Pro-Bowl defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings
  • W. Randolph "Randy" Woodson, chancellor, North Carolina State University
  • Scott Hutchins, author
  • Industry

    Top employers:

  • First Step, Inc.
  • Fordyce School District
  • ITW Shippers Dunnage bag plant
  • Lyon Folder Company
  • Millcreek of Arkansas
  • Transitech, Inc.
  • Walmart Stores
  • Gentle Touch
  • Havoc Boats
  • References

    Fordyce, Arkansas Wikipedia