Editing West Helena, Arkansas

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = West Helena, Arkansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_map                = ARMap-doton-West_Helena.png
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of West Helena, Arkansas
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =
|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        = [[Phillips County, Arkansas|Phillips]]
|area_total_km2           = 11.5
|area_land_km2            = 11.5
|area_water_km2           = 0.0
|area_total_sq_mi         = 4.4
|area_land_sq_mi          = 4.4
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.0
|population_as_of         = [[United States Census, 2000|2000]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 8689
|population_density_km2   = 755.4
|population_density_sq_mi = 1956.6
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m              = 
|elevation_ft             = 253
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|32|45|N|90|38|40|W|region:US-AR|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 72390
|area_code                = [[Area code 870|870]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 05-74450
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0058852<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|58852}}</ref>
}}

'''West Helena''' is the western portion of [[Helena-West Helena, Arkansas]], a city in [[Phillips County, Arkansas|Phillips County]], [[Arkansas]], [[United States]]. As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], this portion of the city population was 8,689.

Historically, West Helena and its [[sister city]] [[Helena, Arkansas|Helena]], located on the [[Mississippi River]], have been two of the focal points in the history of the development of the [[blues]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2007}} The cities consolidated on January 1, 2006. Helena is the birthplace of Arkansas' former senior United States senator, [[Blanche Lincoln]].

==Geography==
West Helena is located at {{coord|34|32|45|N|90|38|40|W|type:city}} (34.545702, -90.644346).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], West Helena had a total area of {{convert|4.4|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|deleted=yes
|1920= 6226
|1930= 4489
|1940= 4717
|1950= 6107
|1960= 8385
|1970= 11007
|1980= 11367
|1990= 9695
|2000= 8565
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/decennial-publications.html|title=Decennial Census Official Publications|work=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''West Helena city, Arkansas – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – West Helena city, Arkansas|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US0574450|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|2,815
|32.40%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|5,681
|65.38%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|20
|0.23%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|33
|0.38%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|1
|0.01%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|4
|0.05%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|47
|0.55%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|88
|1.01%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''8,689'''
|'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 8,689 people, 3,204 households, and 2,223 families residing in West Helena. The population density was {{convert|1,956.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,518 housing units at an average density of {{convert|792.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of West Helena was 32.77% White, 65.69% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,204 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 29.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.32.

In West Helena, the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.5 males.

The median income for a household in West Helena was $21,130, and the median income for a family was $25,014. Males had a median income of $22,971 versus $17,225 for females. The [[per capita income]] for West Helena was $11,234. About 30.9% of families and 35.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 49.5% of those under age 18 and 27.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[Helena-West Helena School District]] operates schools in what was West Helena.

Schools in the former West Helena.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0574450_WestHelena/CBP0574450_000.pdf|title=CENSUS 2000 Block Map: WEST HELENA city|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 2, 2019}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0574450_WestHelena/CBP0574450_000.pdf Index Map] - See [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0574450_WestHelena/CBP0574450_001.pdf Page 1] and [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0574450_WestHelena/CBP0574450_002.pdf Page 2]</ref>
* [[Central High School (Helena-West Helena, Arkansas)|Central High School]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us/Page/Central%20High.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610110052/http://hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us/Page/Central%20High.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2004|title=Central High School|publisher=[[Helena-West Helena School District]]|date=June 10, 2004|access-date=November 2, 2019|quote=Central High School 103 School Road West Helena, AR 72390}}</ref>
* Eliza Miller Junior High School<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us/Page/Miller%20Junior%20High.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040706223020/http://hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us/Page/Miller%20Junior%20High.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 6, 2004|title=Miller Junior High|publisher=[[Helena-West Helena School District]]|date=July 6, 2004|access-date=November 2, 2019|quote=Central High School 103 School Road West Helena, AR 72390}}</ref>
* Beechcrest Elementary School<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us/Page/Beechcrest%20Elementary.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040606115228/http://hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us/Page/Beechcrest%20Elementary.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2004|title=Beechcrest Elementary School|publisher=[[Helena-West Helena School District]]|date=June 6, 2004|access-date=November 2, 2019|quote=Beechcrest Elementary School 1020 Plaza West Helena, AR 72390 }}</ref>
* Westside Elementary School<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us/Page/Westsdie%20Elementary.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040529191448/http://hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us/Page/Westsdie%20Elementary.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 29, 2004|title=Beechcrest Elementary School|publisher=[[Helena-West Helena School District]]|date=May 29, 2004|access-date=November 2, 2019|quote=Westside Elementary School 339 S. Ashlar St. West Helena, AR 72390}}</ref>
* Woodruff Elementary School<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us/Page/Woodruff%20Elementary.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040529191552/http://hwh.grsc.k12.ar.us/Page/Woodruff%20Elementary.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 29, 2004|title=Woodruff Elementary School|publisher=[[Helena-West Helena School District]]|date=May 29, 2004|access-date=November 2, 2019|quote=Woodruff Elementary School 805 Cleburne West Helena, AR 72390}}</ref>

==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, West Helena has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=242330&cityname=West+Helena,+Arkansas,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=West Helena, Arkansas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=May 25, 2018}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Anthony Boone (basketball)|Anthony Boone]], college basketball coach for [[Central Arkansas Bears basketball|Central Arkansas]]
*[[Angie Craig]] (born 1972), American politician 
*[[Odessa Harris]] (1936–2007), American singer<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|author=Matt Collar|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/odessa-harris-mn0001979888 |title=Odessa Harris: Biography |website=[[AllMusic]]|date= |access-date=November 1, 2016}}</ref>
*[[Blanche Lincoln]] (born 1960), American politician
*[[Lonnie Shields]] (born 1956), American singer, songwriter, and guitarist<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ZNfAQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Lonnie+Shields%22&pg=PA166 |title=Blues: A Regional Experience |author1=Bob L. Eagle |author2=Eric S. LeBlanc |page=166|isbn=978-0313344237|publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group|Praeger Publishing]]|date=2013 |access-date=December 14, 2015}}</ref>
*[[William Warfield]] (1920-2002), Singer and movie actor

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|United States}}
{{commons category}}

* [[2000 U.S. Census]] maps: [https://web.archive.org/web/20170826091229/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0574450_WestHelena/CBP0574450_000.pdf Index] and pages [https://web.archive.org/web/20170826091229/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0574450_WestHelena/CBP0574450_001.pdf 1] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20170826091229/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0574450_WestHelena/CBP0574450_002.pdf 2]
* [[1990 U.S. Census]] map of Phillips County ([https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk1990/st05_Arkansas/05107_Phillips/90B05107_000.pdf index map]) indicates West Helena on pages [http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk1990/st05_Arkansas/05107_Phillips/90B05107_003.pdf 3], [http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk1990/st05_Arkansas/05107_Phillips/90B05107_004.pdf 4], [http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk1990/st05_Arkansas/05107_Phillips/90B05107_008.pdf 8], and D pages [http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk1990/st05_Arkansas/05107_Phillips/90B05107_D01.pdf 1], [http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk1990/st05_Arkansas/05107_Phillips/90B05107_D02.pdf 2], [http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk1990/st05_Arkansas/05107_Phillips/90B05107_D03.pdf 3], [http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk1990/st05_Arkansas/05107_Phillips/90B05107_D04.pdf 4], [http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk1990/st05_Arkansas/05107_Phillips/90B05107_D05.pdf 5], and [http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk1990/st05_Arkansas/05107_Phillips/90B05107_D06.pdf 6]
*[http://www.helena-arkansas.com/ ''The Helena-West Helena Daily World''], the newspaper serving Helena-West Helena and Phillips County
{{Helena–West Helena, Arkansas}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Former municipalities in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Populated places in Phillips County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Populated places disestablished in 2006]]