Conway, Arkansas
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Conway is a city located in Faulkner County, Arkansas, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city was the eighth most populous in Arkansas, with a total population of 43,167. Preliminary reports of a 2005 special census indicate the population has risen since then to 52,262.[1] The city is the county seat of Faulkner CountyTemplate:GR.
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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 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. 16.3% of the population and 9.3% of families were below the poverty line. 15.0% of those under the age of 18 and 10.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
In November and December of 2005, the city of Conway commissioned a special census to update its demographic records. Final results of this census are still pending, though early numbers were released in January 2006.
Education
Conway is home to the following colleges and universities:
Over 36% of Conway's adult workforce hold at least a bachelor's degree making it the third most educated city in Arkansas behind Fayetteville and Maumelle.
Conway High School is one of the largest in the state. Its unique 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 junior high teams are known as the Wampus Kittens.
Cultural events
- Toad Suck Daze, a local entertainment and arts festival to celebrate the legend of Toad Suck, is held annually in downtown Conway during the first weekend in May. The festival raises money to give educational scholarships. Twelve scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each will be awarded to Faulkner County students planning to attend Central Baptist College, Hendrix College or the University of Central Arkansas. Two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each will be awarded to students attending a local vocational/technical school.
The festival begins on Friday at 8 AM and ends on Sunday at 5 PM.
The legend of Toad Suck -- Long ago, steam boats traveled the Arkansas River when the water was at the right depth. When it wasn't the captains and their crew tied up to wait where the Toad Suck Lock and Dam now spans the river near Conway, AR. While they waited, they refreshed themselves at the local tavern. The dismayed folks living nearby were heard to say: "They suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads." Hence, the name Toad Suck. The tavern is long gone, but the legend lives on at Toad Suck Daze, in Conway, AR on the first weekend of May each year.
External links
Template:Geolinks-US-cityscale
- City of Conway official website
- thecabin.net, online home of The Log Cabin Democrat, Conway and Faulkner County's local newspaper
- Conway Area Chamber of Commerce official website
- Toad Suck Daze official website
- Conway Public Schools Home Page
