Conway

 

city (1990 pop. 26,481), seat of Faulkner co., central Ark., in a farm and cotton area; inc. 1873. It is a trade and industrial center. Conway was settled (c.1865) near the site of a French trading post (c.1770). It is the seat of Hendrix College and the Univ. of Central Arkansas. Conway Reservoir offers excellent hunting and fishing.

Conway, Arkansas
Nickname: City of Colleges
Coordinates: 35°05′14″N 92°27′12″W / 35.08722, -92.45333
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Faulkner
Founded	1872
Incorporated	1875
Government
- Mayor	Tab Townsell
Area
- City	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2005)
- City
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
- Metro	{{formatnum:642,272 (Little Rock)}}
	2005 population: 52,430
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	72032-72035
Area code(s)	501
FIPS code	05-15190
GNIS feature ID	0076661
Website: http://www.cityofconway.org/

Conway is the largest city and county seat of Faulkner County⁶, Arkansas. A 2005 special census indicated the population had risen to 52,430 [1]. It is part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area. 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".

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[3].

As of the census² 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.

Education

Conway is home to the following colleges and universities:

• Central Baptist College
• Hendrix College
• University of Central Arkansas — estimated enrollment of over 12,400 students for the fall of 2007

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 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.

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, Virginia Johnson, ran for governor in 1968, while he was running for senator.

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.

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 annually since 1982. The three day community festival incorporates live music, food and craft vendors, and amusement rides during the first weekend of May.

External links

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
• Meet Conway The online presence of Conway, Arkansas.

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
• ConwayAlumni.com, The home page for Conway High School alumni, family, and friends.

Community events

• Toad Suck Daze official website

History

• 10th Arkansas Infantry, Local Regiment During the Civil War

Geographic statistics

Coordinates: 35.087336° N 92.453315° W

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