Texarkana, Arkansas
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Image:Texarkana stateline.jpg Texarkana is a city located in Miller County, ArkansasTemplate:GR, and is its county seat. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 26,448. Texarkana is named for being at the junction of three U.S. states: Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana – and is just across the state line from its twin city of Texarkana, Texas.
Due to its proximity to Texas (which has no state personal income tax), Texarkana residents are exempt from Arkansas' state personal income tax (though a surcharge applied in 2003 and 2004).
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Geography
Image:ARMap-doton-Texarkana.png Texarkana is located at 33°25'59" North, 94°1'14" West (33.433075, -94.020514)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 83.0 km² .
(32.0 mi²). 82.5 km² (31.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.59% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 26,448 people, 10,384 households, and 7,040 families residing in the city. The population density was 320.6/km² (830.5/mi²). There were 11,721 housing units at an average density of 142.1/km² (368.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.93% White, 31.00% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 10,384 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% are classified as non-families by the United States Census Bureau. Of 10,384 households, 448 are unmarried partner households: 399 heterosexual, 24 same-sex male, and 25 same-sex female households. (Note: Stigmatization of homosexuality may prevent same-sex couples from reporting themselves as such on the US Census, especially in more conservative areas.) 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,343, and the median income for a family was $37,157. Males had a median income of $35,204 versus $21,731 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,130. 21.7% of the population and 17.2% of families were below the poverty line. 33.0% of those under the age of 18 and 15.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Local Lore
In 1946, the two Texarkanas were the site of killing spree, in which 5 people were murdered and several others injured. Dubbed by papers as the "Texarkana Moonlight Murders," the violence focused on couples occupying popular "make-out" spots in and around the town, such as backroads and "lovers' lanes". The events inspired the film "The Town That Dreaded Sundown", released in 1977, written and directed and starring Charles B. Pierce. Some of the facts of the original case were fictionalized or altered for the film, including victims' names. The only description of the killer was that he wore a plain pillowcase over his head, with eyeholes cut out. The case was never solved and the spree ended with no suspects arrested. Technically, the case is still open, though as of 2006 it is considered cold.
A man by the name of Youell Swinney, who was 29 at the time, was arrested and charged with the murders shortly after they occurred. He was later released from prison in 1974 after serving 28 years for the Moonligh Murders,when a judge acknowledged his appeal that he had not received a fair trial. He had been implicated by his wife who claimed she was present when he committed the murders, yet her various accounts varied each time she told them. Swinney himself denied having any involvement, which he maintained until his death in 1993 at age 76. Still, many believe he was the murderer, including several of his prison inmates who claimed Swinney had confessed to them.
Famous native
- International Motorsports Hall of Fame driver Parnelli Jones was born in Texarkana.
- Ragtime composer Scott Joplin was born in Texarkana.
External links
Template:Mapit-US-cityscalede:Texarkana io:Texarkana, Arkansas