Editing Clinton, Arkansas

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Clinton, Arkansas
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = Clinton AR Downtown 2-2025 Wikipedia.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Downtown Clinton in February 2025
| image_map          = File:Van Buren County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Clinton Highlighted 0514260.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Clinton in Van Buren County, Arkansas.
| coordinates        = {{coord|35|35|11|N|92|27|28|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Arkansas]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Arkansas|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Van Buren County, Arkansas|Van Buren]]
| established_date   = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| area_total_km2     = 35.61
| area_total_sq_mi   = 13.75
| area_land_km2      = 34.85
| area_land_sq_mi    = 13.45
| area_water_km2     = 0.77
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.30
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 610
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 2509
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_density_km2 = 72.00
| population_density_sq_mi = 186.49
| population_metro   = 
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 72031
| area_code          = [[Area code 501|501]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 05-14260
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2404076<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404076}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|http://www.clintonark.com/}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_05.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
| image_blank_emblem = City of Clinton, AR Logo.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
}}
'''Clinton''' is the county seat of [[Van Buren County, Arkansas]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |accessdate=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archivedate=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The population was 2,602 at the [[United States Census, 2010|2010 census]], making it the most populous city in the county.

==History==
The city was named for [[DeWitt Clinton]], the [[New York (state)|New York]] governor who built the [[Erie Canal]]; he had also been a [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from New York.

On February 5, 2008, an EF4 tornado struck Clinton during the [[2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak]], killing three people and destroying many homes and businesses, including a boat manufacturing facility.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=3c36e5fc-888d-4ab7-89d2-ad3e1e16ef6a&rss=315 |title=Friends Remember Tornado Victim |access-date=February 9, 2008 |archive-date=February 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211041539/http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=3c36e5fc-888d-4ab7-89d2-ad3e1e16ef6a&rss=315 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Geography ==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|11.6|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|11.4|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.2|sqmi|km2}} (1.64%) is water.

Clinton is situated on the shore of the Archey Fork, a [[tributary]] of the Upper Little Red River which flows into [[Greers Ferry Lake]]. This body of water is known for its rich and diverse fish habitat and recreational uses. A channelization project in 1982<ref name="ArcheyRST">{{cite web|url=http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arkansas/explore/archey-fork-restoration-benefits-people-and-wildlife.xml|accessdate=December 17, 2015|title=Archey Fork River Restoration|publisher=The Nature Conservancy}}</ref> following a major flood event has recently been re-engineered by The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with city officials and corporate sponsors. The multi-phase restoration project has witnessed the installation of a cantilevered stream bed, bank stabilization, and habitat regeneration. The restoration is now part of the city's downtown park and trail system.<ref name="CltPrk">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofclintonar.com/city-park/|accessdate=December 17, 2015|title=City Parks|publisher=City of Clinton|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222091106/http://www.cityofclintonar.com/city-park/|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 166
|1890= 176
|1900= 297
|1940= 915
|1950= 853
|1960= 744
|1970= 1029
|1980= 1284
|1990= 2213
|2000= 2283
|2010= 2602
|2020= 2509
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2014 Estimate<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2014/SUB-EST2014-3.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014|accessdate=June 4, 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522132816/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2014/SUB-EST2014-3.html|archivedate=May 22, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Clinton racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0514260&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 31, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 2,088
| 83.22%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 24
| 0.96%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 19
| 0.76%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 16
| 0.64%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 134
| 5.34%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 228
| 9.09%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 2,509 people, 942 households, and 608 families residing in the city.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,283 people, 1,007 households, and 626 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|200.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 1,123 housing units at an average density of {{convert|98.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 95.71% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.74% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.13% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 1.31% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.06% from two or more races.  2.67% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 1,007 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,206, and the median income for a family was $30,792. Males had a median income of $24,750 versus $19,152 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,514.  About 15.7% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==
The National Championship Chuckwagon Races are held annually at the Bar of Ranch in Clinton. The event is a major tourist attraction drawing many thousands to the area each Labor Day weekend with rodeo and futurity events, auctions, live music performances, and the grand finale Snowy River race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofclintonar.com/portfolio/chuckwagon-races/|title=Chuckwagon Races in Clinton|accessdate=December 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222104641/http://www.cityofclintonar.com/portfolio/chuckwagon-races/|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Van Buren County Courthouse (Arkansas)|Van Buren County Courthouse]] in Clinton is listed on the state historic registry.<ref name ="VBCcourthouse">{{cite web|url=https://www.arkansaspreservation.com/national-register-listings/van-buren-county-courthouse?A=SearchResult&SearchID=10359739&ObjectID=7575370&ObjectType=35|accessdate=December 30, 2019|title=Van Buren County Courthouse|publisher=Arkansas Historic Preservation Program}}</ref>

== Education ==
Public education for elementary and secondary students is available from the [[Clinton School District (Arkansas)|Clinton School District]] with students graduating from [[Clinton High School (Arkansas)|Clinton High School]]. Clinton High is rated by US News & World Report at #36 out of 292 high schools in Arkansas.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/arkansas/rankings Best Arkansas High Schools]</ref>

==Infrastructure==
Intercity bus service to the city is provided by [[Jefferson Lines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeffersonlines.com/bus-stops/arkansas/|title=Arkansas Bus Stops|access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>

==Notable people==

* [[Karen R. Baker]], Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court
* [[List of members of the National Transportation Safety Board|James E. Burnett]], National Transportation Safety Board Chairman, and Special Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court <ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/us/19burnett.html | title=James e. Burnett Jr. Dies at 62; Led Safety Board in 1980s | work=The New York Times | date=May 18, 2010 | last1=Wald | first1=Matthew L. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/nomination-james-e-burnett-jr-be-chairman-the-national-transportation-safety-board|title=Nomination of James E. Burnett, Jr., To Be Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board April 16, 1984 |work=The American Presidency Project|publisher=[[University of California Santa Barbara]]|access-date=2025-01-05|quote=He is a resident of Clinton, AR.}}</ref>
* [[Bobby Burnett]], [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas Razorbacks]] and [[Buffalo Bills]] running back, [[American Football League Rookies of the Year#1966|AFL Rookie of the Year for 1966]]
* [[Opie Cates]], swing band leader and radio actor
* [[Wolverton Mountain|Clifton Clowers]], World War I veteran, farmer, and inspiration for the [[Merle Kilgore]] song "Wolverton Mountain."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.myarkansaspbs.org/engage/blog/clifton_taylor_clowers_the_legacy_of_woolverton_mountain | title=Clifton Taylor Clowers – the Legacy of Woolverton Mountain | date=October 4, 2019 }}</ref>
*[[John Hargis (swimmer)|John Hargis]], [[1996 Olympics|1996 Olympic]] Gold Medalist swimmer is a 1992 Clinton High School graduate.
* [[Monica Potts]], author of the book, “The Forgotten Girls,” which is, in part, about her childhood in Clinton.<ref>{{cite news | last = Merritt | first = Stephanie | date = April 10, 2023 | title = The Forgotten Girls by Monica Potts review – addiction and escape in the Ozarks | url = https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/apr/10/the-forgotten-girls-by-monica-potts-review-a-quietly-raging-lament-for-wasted-lives-in-21st-century-america | work = The Guardian}}</ref>
*[[Jack Whillock]], [[Arkansas Razorbacks baseball|Arkansas Razorbacks]] and Major League Baseball pitcher

==In popular culture==
In 2023, Monica Potts wrote in ''[[The Atlantic]]'' that "Almost everyone goes to an evangelical church".<ref>{{cite web|last=Potts|first=Monica|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/04/the-forgotten-girls-monica-potts-book-excerpt/673581/|title=How Rural America Steals Girls' Futures|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=April 6, 2023|accessdate=June 6, 2023|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406130823/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/04/the-forgotten-girls-monica-potts-book-excerpt/673581/|url-status=bot: unknown}}- "in the halls of the town’s only high school" would logically refer to Clinton High as it is the only high school in Clinton, Arkansas. Original title of the article is: ""</ref>

<gallery>
File:Clinton AR Cities Service 2-2025 Wikipedia.jpg|[[Walter Patterson Filling Station]], Clinton AR, 2-2025
File:Clinton AR Mural 2-2025 Wikipedia.jpg|Clinton AR Mural, 2-2025
File:Clinton Courthouse Square.jpg|Downtown Clinton
File:Clinton AR Courthouse 2-2025 Wikipedia.jpg|[[Van Buren County Courthouse (Arkansas)|Van Buren County Courthouse]], Clinton AR, 2-2025
File:Tornado damage Clinton.jpg|Tornado damage to a house in Clinton, 2008
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.cityofclintonar.com}}
* [http://www.clintonarchamber.com Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{Van Buren County, Arkansas}}
{{Arkansas county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Van Buren County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Arkansas]]
[[Category:County seats in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1879]]