City of West Memphis
Seal
Location of West Memphis, Arkansas
Coordinates: 35°9′1″N 90°10′44″W / 35.15028, -90.17889
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Crittenden
Government
- Mayor	William H. Johnson
Area
- City	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2000)
- City
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	72301, 72303
Area code(s)	870
FIPS code	05-74540
GNIS feature ID	0078727
Website: http://www.ci.west-memphis.ar.us/

West Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 28,181, ranking it as the state's 14th largest city, behind Bentonville.^[1] It is considered part of the Memphis metropolitan area, and is located directly across the Mississippi River from Memphis.

West Memphis is nationally known as the site of a 1993 triple murder in the Robin Hood Hills neighborhood. Two documentary films^[2][3] and an award-winning book^[4] raise doubt about the guilt of the three teenagers, known as the West Memphis 3, who were convicted of the crime.

West Memphis was the home of Sonny Boy Williamson II, influential blues singer and harmonica player. One of his songs, West Memphis Blues, tells the story of how his home there was damaged by fire in 1949. The song mentions several local personalities, white and black, who supported him when he was falsely accused of arson.

Geography

West Memphis is located at 35°9′1″N, 90°10′44″W (35.150294, -90.178831)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 68.8 km² (26.6 mi²). 68.6 km² (26.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.26%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 27,666 people, 10,051 households, and 7,136 families residing in the city. The population density was 403.2/km² (1,044.3/mi²). There were 11,022 housing units at an average density of 160.6/km² (416.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.93% Black or African American, 42.16% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,051 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 25.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. There are 553 unmarried partner households: 475 heterosexual, 52 same-sex male, and 26 same-sex female. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,399, and the median income for a family was $32,465. Males had a median income of $29,977 versus $21,007 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,679. About 23.7% of families and 28.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.9% of those under age 18 and 22.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

• West Memphis High School, 10-12
• West Memphis Christian School, PK-12
• West Junior High School, 7-9
• Bragg Elementary School, K-6
• Richland Elementary School, K-6
• Faulk Elementary School, K-6
• East Junior High School, 7-9
• Jackson Elementary School, PK-6
• Maddux Elementary School, K-6
• Weaver Elementary School, K-6
• Wonder Elementary School, K-6
• Wonder Junior High School, 7-9
• St. Michaels School, PK-6
• Crittenden Pentecostal Academy, K-12
• Avondale Elementary School, PK-1
• Wedlock Elementary School, K-6
• Mid-South Community College

Notable residents

• Betty Blue - model and actress
• Marcus Brown - former NBA and current European basketball player
• Shirley Brown - Grammy-nominated Stax recording artist
• Michael Cage - former NBA rebounding champion
• Sid Eudy aka Sid Vicious or Sid Justice - former 4 time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion (WWE, WCW)
• Keith Lee - former NBA player
• Sonny Boy Williamson II - blues musician

References

External links

• West Memphis Economic Development and Site Selection, Demographic, tax, and distribution park data
• Mainstreet West Memphis
• Crittenden County Open Portal Website
• City of West Memphis
• The Evening Times, West Memphis & Crittenden County's daily afternoon newspaper

Coordinates: 35.150294° N 90.178831° W

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