Jasper, Arkansas
|
|
Jasper is a city located in Newton County, Arkansas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 498. The city is the county seat of Newton CountyTemplate:GR.
| Contents |
Geography
ARMap-doton-Jasper.png
Location of Jasper, Arkansas
Jasper is located at 36°0'31" North, 93°11'8" West (36.008558, -93.185660)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 km² (0.5 mi²). 1.4 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 498 people, 231 households, and 115 families residing in the city. The population density is 362.8/km² (940.4/mi²). There are 261 housing units at an average density of 190.1/km² (492.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 96.18% White, 0.00% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 2.41% from two or more races. 2.61% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 231 households out of which 23.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.5% are married couples living together, 15.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 49.8% are non-families. 48.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 26.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.95 and the average family size is 2.82.
In the city the population is spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 18.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 31.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 49 years. For every 100 females there are 71.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 62.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $13,456, and the median income for a family is $26,667. Males have a median income of $21,458 versus $16,786 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,557. 31.6% of the population and 25.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 47.7% of those under the age of 18 and 25.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Jasper Today
Since the 1950's, Jasper has been an attraction to tourists throughout the country. The town itself borders the Little Buffalo River, and within driving distance, there are several campsites on the Buffalo River, one of the last free-flowing waterways in the United States. The Ozark Highlands Trail also passes north of the town. Tourism, especially in the non-winter seasons, is the town's major industry, and the town square is dominated by a natural limestone courthouse built by the Works Progress Administration, as was the Jailhouse located a block away.
The town itself was founded in the 1840's, and is the largest municipality in the county. Also of note is that Newton County is the only county in Arkansas through which a railroad was never built due to the mountainous terrain.