Searcy, Arkansas

Not to be confused with Searcy County, Arkansas.

Searcy, Arkansas
City
Part of historic downtown Searcy
Motto: Pride – Progress – Potential "The city where thousands live as millions wish they could."[1]
Coordinates: 35°14′49″N 91°44′01″W
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	White
Founded	1838
Incorporated	1851
Government
• Mayor	David Morris
Area
• Total	14.8 sq mi (38.3 km2)
• Land	14.7 sq mi (38.1 km2)
• Water	0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2)
Elevation	245 ft (80 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	23,768
• Density	194.5/sq mi (503.6/km2)
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	72143, 72145, 72149
Area code(s)	501
FIPS code	05-63020
GNIS feature ID	0078309
Website	Searcy, Arkansas

Searcy (/ˈsɜːrsi/ SUR-see) is the largest city and county seat of White County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2014 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 23,768. It is the principal city of the Searcy, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of White County. The city takes its name from Richard Searcy, a judge for the Superior Court of the Arkansas Territory. A college town, Searcy is the home of Harding University.

History

Israel Moore, who had traveled west from Philadelphia, was in charge of laying out Searcy's original streets, and "he proceeded to name the major streets of Searcy for those of downtown Old Philadelphia near Independence Hall; Race, Arch, Market, Vine, Spring, and the tree-honoring streets of Cherry, Spruce, Locust and Pine." In 1957, Searcy named Moore Street after the 19th-century founder.

Spring Street also has a namesake in Old City Philadelphia, but it, along with downtown Searcy's Spring Park, may refer to the early history of the Searcy area, when the community was known as White Sulphur Springs. As early as 1834, local springs with purported therapeutic properties initially drew visitors to the area, similar to the popular attraction to Hot Springs.

During the American Civil War, the Battle of Whitney's Lane was fought near Searcy though the exact site is disputed. Searcy Landing, on the Little Red River, is the final resting place for some Union Army soldiers.

Searcy was incorporated on August 6, 1851,

Searcy was a stop on the defunct Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad, which provided passenger and freight service from 1906 to 1946 from Joplin, Missouri, to Helena in Phillips County in eastern Arkansas.

On August 9, 1965, 53 contract workers were killed in a fire in a LGM-25C Titan II missile silo outside Searcy. It was one of the largest industrial accidents in American history.

Despite having lost many factory jobs in the late 20th century, Searcy has recently experienced an economic revitalization. Much of the new revenue is derived from the leasing of mineral rights to natural gas companies. Some residents express concern about the environmental impact of the extensive drilling projects that have taken place. With the decline of gas and oil exploration, Searcy unemployment now averages 33% higher than the national unemployment average.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.8 square miles (38 km²), of which 14.7 square miles (38 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) (0.54%) is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Searcy has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	621		—
1870	874		40.7%
1880	840		−3.9%
1890	1,203		43.2%
1900	1,995		65.8%
1910	2,331		16.8%
1920	2,836		21.7%
1930	3,387		19.4%
1940	3,670		8.4%
1950	6,024		64.1%
1960	7,272		20.7%
1970	9,040		24.3%
1980	13,612		50.6%
1990	15,180		11.5%
2000	18,928		24.7%
2010	22,858		20.8%
Est. 2015	24,196		5.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2014, there were 23,768 people, 8,140 households, and 4,495 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,287.4 people per square mile (497.2/km²). There were 9,244 housing units at an average density of 503.6 per square mile (194.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.8% White, 7.5% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. 4.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,140 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 23.4% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,415, and the median income for a family was $41,334. Males had a median income of $32,445 versus $21,142 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,427. About 11.7% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the U.S. poverty threshold, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

One of the state's largest banks, First Security Bank, was established in Searcy in 1932 as Security Bank.

In July 1978 Wal-Mart opened its first distribution center (outside of Bentonville) in Searcy. The facility is still open as a Sam's Club Distribution Center.

In recent years, ITT, Maytag, and Kohler closed large factories in the city. Many companies associated with natural gas that supported the brief natural gas boom have also left the city and the economy has suffered. According to zillow.com, Housing has lost approximately 8% of it value since 2012.

Latina Imports and Latina Nursery are also located in Searcy and is one of the largest female, Hispanic-owned companies in Arkansas.

Sales tax for purchases in Searcy is 9.5%

Education

Searcy is served by two public school districts. Searcy Public Schools — including Searcy High School, three elementary schools and middle and junior high campuses — serve all but the far eastern portion of the city. That portion of the city is within the Riverview School District — a consolidation of districts serving Kensett, Griffithville, Judsonia, and surrounding communities in southeastern White County extending to West Point and Georgetown. Previously, the Riverview portion of Searcy was part of the Kensett school district; Riverview High School was built in eastern Searcy following the consolidation.

Searcy Public Schools

• Searcy High School
• Ahlf Junior High School
• Southwest Middle School
• McRae Elementary
• Sidney Deener Elementary
• Westside Elementary

Riverview Public Schools

• Riverview High School

Private schools

• Harding Academy is a K-12 college preparatory school enrolling more than 600 students. Harding University oversees the school, which resides adjacent to the university campus.
• Liberty Christian School (K – 8)
• CrossPointe Preparatory, a school affiliated with the National Association of University-Model Schools, opened in 2009.
• Sunshine School

Colleges and Universities

• Harding University, a private, Christian university affiliated with the Churches of Christ founded in 1924, has its main campus in Searcy. Harding moved to Searcy in 1934 from Morrilton. The university has developed and expanded to include 49 buildings on more than 350 acres (1.4 km²). With more than 6,100 students, Harding University is the largest private university in Arkansas.
• A campus of Arkansas State University is located in Searcy. Formerly operating as Foothills Technical Institute, it is a technical campus of nearby Arkansas State University Beebe, and offers several two-year programs. In order to create drilling jobs for local populace, the Searcy campus has partnered in training with the natural gas industry that is developing local natural resources.

Notable people

• Mike Beebe, former governor
• Ed Bethune, former U. S. representative, 1979-1985.
• Mark Biviano, former state representative, 2011-2015.
• George W. Bond, educator.
• John Paul Capps, politician.
• Rachel Carter, theater director.
• Weston Dacus, NFL linebacker.
• Beth Ditto, singer-songwriter.
• Les Eaves, state representative for White County since 2015
• James Hannah, Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court
• Sarah Hudson-Pierce, book publisher.
• Odell Pollard, (deceased) politician.

Further reading

• Muncy, Raymond Lee. Searcy, Arkansas: A Frontier Town Grows up with America. Harding Press: Searcy, 1976.

External links

• Official website
• Searcy Chamber of Commerce official website
• The Daily Citizen, the local newspaper.
• Searcy information page from The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture
• Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry: Searcy (White County)