Conway, Arkansas
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Conway is a city in the U.S. state of Arkansas and the county seat of Faulkner County, located in the state's most populous Metropolitan Statistical Area, Central Arkansas. The city also serves as a regional shopping, educational, work, healthcare, sports, and cultural hub for Faulkner County and surrounding areas. Conway's growth can be attributed to its jobs in technology and higher education. Conway is home to three post-secondary educational institutions, earning it the nickname "The City of Colleges".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
As of the 2020 Census, the city proper had a total population of 64,134, making Conway the eighth-most populous city in Arkansas.<ref name="2017 Pop Estimate">Template:Cite web</ref> Central Arkansas, the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area, is ranked the 76th most populous in the United States with 734,622 people in 2016.<ref name="msa"/> Conway is part of the larger Little Rock–North Little Rock, AR Combined Statistical Area, which in 2016 had a population of 905,847, and ranked the country's 60th largest CSA.<ref name="csa"/>
History
[edit]The city of Conway was founded by Asa P. Robinson, who came to the area shortly after the Civil War. Robinson was the chief engineer for the Little Rock-Fort Smith Railroad (now the Union Pacific). Part of his compensation was the deed to a tract of land, one square mile, located near the old settlement of Cadron. When the railroad came through, Robinson had deeded a small tract of his land back to the railroad for a depot site. He laid off a town site around the depot and named it "Conway Station" in honor of a famous Arkansas family. Conway Station contained two small stores, two saloons, a depot, some temporary housing, and a post office.<ref name="FCHSConway">Template:Cite web</ref> Despite being founded as a railroad town, there is currently no passenger service; this is attributed to the increasing emphasis placed on cars.<ref name="railroads">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>
In 1878, Father Joseph Strub, a priest in the Roman Catholic Holy Ghost Fathers, arrived in Arkansas. A native of Alsace-Lorraine, Strub was expelled from Prussia during the Kulturkampf in 1872. He moved to the United States, settling in Pittsburgh, where he founded Duquesne University in October 1878. Difficulties with Bishop John Tuigg led Strub to leave Pittsburgh in late October 1878 to travel to Conway.<ref>After 131 years, Spiritans might leave Conway</ref> In 1879, Strub convinced the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad to deed Template:Convert along the northern side of the Arkansas River to the Holy Ghost Fathers in order to found the St. Joseph Colony.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This included land on which Father Strub founded and built St. Joseph Catholic Church of Conway.<ref>History of St. Joseph Catholic Church</ref> As part of the land deal, the railroad offered land at 20 cents per acre to every German immigrant. In order to attract Roman Catholic Germans to Conway and the surrounding areas, Father Strub wrote The Guiding Star for the St. Joseph Colony. In addition to extolling the qualities of Conway and the surrounding area, Father Strub provided information on how best to travel from Europe to Conway.<ref>St. Joseph Colony</ref> By 1889, over 100 German families had settled in Conway, giving the town many of its distinctively German street and business names.Template:Citation needed
On April 10, 1965, an F4 tornado struck Conway, causing six deaths and 200 injuries.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Geography
[edit]Conway is located in southwestern Faulkner County. Interstate 40 passes through the northern and eastern sides of the city, with access from Exits 124 through 132. Via I-40, Memphis is Template:Convert to the east, Little Rock is Template:Convert to the east (south), Russellville is Template:Convert to the west, and Oklahoma City is Template:Convert to the west.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Conway has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert, or 0.54%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref>
Climate
[edit]The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Conway has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>Climate Summary for Conway, Arkansas</ref> Template:Climate chart
Demographics
[edit]| Racial composition | 2010<ref name="cen2010">Template:Cite web</ref> | 2000<ref name="cen2010"/> | 1990<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 1980<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | 1970<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic White | 77.4% | 84.1% | 90.5% | 90.9% | 92.0% |
| Black or African American | 15.6% | 12.0% | 8.5% | 8.3%Template:Efn | 8.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander |
0.05% | 0.03% | 0.02% | — | —Template:Efn |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.44% | 0.36% | 0.34% | — | —Template:Efn |
| Hispanic or Latino | 5.09% | 2.26% | 0.43% | 0.5% | —Template:Efn |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.24% | 0.46% | — | —Template:Efn |
| Other race or multiracial | 4.6% | 2.2% | 0.12% | — | 0.17% |
2020 census
[edit]| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 42,317 | 65.98% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 11,718 | 18.27% |
| Native American | 222 | 0.35% |
| Asian | 1,207 | 1.88% |
| Pacific Islander | 35 | 0.05% |
| Other/Mixed | 4,341 | 6.77% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 4,294 | 6.7% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 64,134 people, 26,319 households, and 14,609 families residing in the city.
2010 census
[edit]As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 58,908 people, 23,205 households, and 13,969 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 24,402 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 77.4% White, 15.6% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.4% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 5.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 23,205 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% 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 3.01.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 22.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27.3 years. There were 51.7% females and 48.3% males. For ages under 18, there were 49.2% females and 50.8% males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,640, and the median income for a family was $63,860.<ref>About Conway</ref> The per capita income for the city was $42,582.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> About 9.3% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or overTemplate:Citation needed.
47.6% of Conway's population describes themselves as religious, slightly below the national average of 48.8%.<ref name="rel">Religion in Conway, Arkansas</ref> 44.5% of people in Conway who describe themselves as having a religion are Baptist (21.7% of the city's total population). 9.2% of people holding a religion are Catholic (4.5% of the city's total population). The proportions of Methodists and Pentecostals are higher than the national average.<ref name="rel" />
Economy
[edit]Conway was home to one of the world's largest school bus manufacturers, IC Corporation. The Conway plant was one of only two IC manufacturing plants; the other is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. IC Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation of Lisle, Illinois. IC was previously known as American Transportation (AmTran) Corporation and Ward Body Works. The company was founded in 1933. IC Corporation closed its plant and moved all bus manufacturing operations to its Tulsa plant in 2010, largely due to incentives offered by the city of Tulsa.<ref name="IC">Template:Cite web</ref>
R. D. "Bob" Nabholz founded Nabholz Construction in Conway in 1949. It currently employs over 800 people and has been listed by Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine as one of the Top 400 General Contractors every year since 1986. Currently, the company is ranked #161.Template:Citation needed Conway Corporation handles the local utilities (cable TV, Internet, and telephone services, in addition to electricity and water) for the city of Conway.
Acxiom Corporation, an interactive marketing services company, was founded in 1969 in Conway.
On June 19, 2008, Hewlett-Packard announced it would be opening a Template:Convert facility with 1,200 employees in 2009. The building, built by Nabholz Construction and located in the Meadows Office and Technology Park,<ref>Google Maps</ref><ref name="JoeCabin">Template:Cite news</ref> has since been abandoned by HP and is now leased to Gainwell Technologies.
On December 16, 2021, Arkansas-based company Westrock Coffee announced the planned opening of a new plant in Conway. The company purchased a Template:Convert facility that is expected to create 250 jobs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Largest employers
[edit]The largest employers in Conway as of May 2023 were as follows:<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
| Rank | Employer | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conway Regional Health System | 1,650 |
| 2 | University of Central Arkansas | 1,600 |
| 3 | Acxiom | 1,450 |
| 4 | Conway Public School District | 1,150 |
| 5 | Conway Human Development Center | 900 |
| 6 | Walmart | 825 |
| 7 | Gainwell Technologies | 650 |
| 8 | Virco Manufacturing | 650 |
| 9 | Home BancShares | 550 |
| 10 | Nabholz Construction | 550 |
Government and politics
[edit]
Mayor–city council
[edit]Template:See also Conway operates within the mayor–city council form of government. The mayor is elected by a citywide election to serve as the city's chief executive officer (CEO) by presiding over all city functions, policies, rules, and laws. Once elected, the mayor also allocates duties to city employees. The Conway mayoral election coincides with the election of the President of the United States. Mayors serve four-year terms and can serve unlimited terms.
The city council is the unicameral legislative of the city, consisting of two members from each of the city's four wards. Also included in the council's duties is balancing the city's budget and passing ordinances. The body also controls the representatives of specialized city commissions underneath their jurisdiction.
Arts and culture
[edit]
The Conway Symphony Orchestra performs many times throughout the year,<ref name=CSO>Template:Cite web</ref> and the Conway Community Arts Association has been presenting theatre and other art opportunities to the community for over 40 years.<ref name=CCAA>Template:Cite web</ref> The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, based in Conway, is the state's only professional Shakespeare theater. It holds an annual summer festival in June.<ref name=AST>Template:Cite web</ref>
There are also art, music, and theater opportunities provided by Conway's three colleges. The University of Central Arkansas's Public Appearances program provides dance, music, and theater offerings each year.
The national award-winning community theatre, The Lantern Theatre, is located downtown and offers a wide variety of plays and musicals year-round.
Conway Public Schools have theater and music programs, with large concert and marching bands that consistently receive high marks in regional competitions.
One of the city's largest annual events, Toad Suck Daze, has been held since 1982. The three-day community festival incorporates live music, food and craft vendors, and amusement rides during the first weekend of May. Proceeds from the festival fund college scholarships for local students.<ref name="JeremyCabin">Template:Cite news</ref>
The Faulkner County Museum focuses on the prehistory, history, and culture of Faulkner County. Located inside the former Faulkner County Jail, it displays photos, artifacts, equipment, household items, clothing, and arts and crafts by local artists. The museum also holds an annual open house that showcases interactive demonstrations and various crafts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Conway is a popular sport-fishing destination and is home to the largest man-made Game and Fish Commission lake in the United States. Lake Conway, holds largemouth bass, crappie, gar, catfish, bream, bowfin, and others. The Arkansas Crappie Masters state tournament is held here every year.
The city held its first-ever EcoFest on September 12, 2009, in Laurel Park. EcoFest included exhibits and events relating to "green" and sustainable initiatives, including a cardboard car derby and an alleycat bicycle ride. According to organizers led by Debbie Plopper, the event was a success. Mayor Tab Townsell said the event indicated to him that "interest in sustainability is flourishing in this community."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="EcoFestCabin">Template:Cite news</ref>
Libraries
[edit]
The Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library System serves the city, a two-county library system formed in 1954.<ref name="library">Template:Cite web</ref> Originally the city was served by the Conway Library from 1935 until the merger into the current system.<ref name="library"/> Today, the Conway Library serves as the headquarters for the eight-library regional system.
In addition to this, the students of the University of Central Arkansas and Hendrix College have free access to both the Torreyson Library at UCA and the Bailey Library at Hendrix by showing a current student ID from their respective college.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Parks and recreation
[edit]There are 15 parks located within Conway.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Education
[edit]College and universities
[edit]
Conway is home to three institutions of higher learning, earning it the nickname City of Colleges. The University of Central Arkansas is a public research university with an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is well known for its Norbert O. Schedler Honors College, being one of the first and most-modeled-after honor colleges in the United States.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hendrix College is a nationally recognized private liberal arts college with an enrollment just over 1,300 students.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With an average composite ACT score of 29, it is the highest of any college in the state.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Central Baptist College is a four-year private liberal arts college with an enrollment of nearly 900 students.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These colleges together contribute to over 40 percent of Conway's adult workforce having a bachelor's degree or higher, making it one of the most educated cities in the state.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Primary and secondary education
[edit]
The Conway Public School District serves the city. It is overseen by the Conway Board of Education, composed of seven citizens elected every third Tuesday in September annually in a citywide vote.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Operating with a $88 million budget, the district enrolls approximately 10,000 students, making it the eighth largest in the state.<ref name= "profile">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The district consists of 16 schools: 1 pre-school, 9 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 1 junior high school, and 1 high school.<ref name="profile"/> Over 65 percent of teachers in Conway Public Schools hold a master's degree or higher, and 67 are National Board Certified.<ref name="profile"/>
Conway is also served by two private religious schools, Conway Christian School and St. Joseph Catholic School. Conway Christian has an approximate enrollment of 400 students, while St. Joseph School enrolls about 500 students.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Conway previously had a Catholic grade school for black children, Good Shepherd School; it closed in 1965. <ref name=HargettLastBlackCath>Template:Cite news</ref>
Transportation
[edit]Rock Region Metro has provided dial-a-ride transit services within the city since October 24, 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Prior to that, no transit service existed in the city. Conway remains the largest city in Arkansas without fixed-route transit services.
Conway is located along Interstate 40 along with US Route 65 and US Route 64.
Notable people
[edit]- Kris Allen, winner of American Idol Season 8
- Kayle Browning, silver medalist in the 2020 Olympics in trap shooting
- Monte Coleman, NFL linebacker; Washington Redskins 1979–94, three-time Super Bowl champion, attended the University of Central Arkansas 1975–1978
- Tyree Davis, professional football player
- Willie Davis, NFL wide receiver; Kansas City Chiefs 1991–95, Houston Oilers 1996, Tennessee Oilers 1997–98, attended the University of Central Arkansas 1987–90; older brother of Tyree Davis
- Marvin Delph, Arkansas Razorback basketball player; one of the famed "Triplets" who led Hogs to 1978 NCAA Final Four
- George Washington Donaghey, former Arkansas Governor from 1909 to 1913
- Hetty Jane Dunaway, actress and founder of Dunaway Gardens, born in Conway
- Les Eaves, state representative for White County since 2015; born in Conway<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Erin Enderlin, country music artist and songwriter
- Orval Faubus, 36th Governor of Arkansas; resided in his later years in Conway
- Jacob Ford, NFL defensive end, Tennessee Titans 2007–10; attended the University of Central Arkansas 2003–06
- Max Frauenthal, Fought for the CSA in the Civil War, leading Conway merchant and founding father of Heber Springs
- Gil Gerard, actor known for title role in the TV series Buck Rogers
- Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the largest Southern Baptist churches in America
- Dre Greenlaw linebacker for Arkansas Razorbacks football and San Francisco 49ers
- Dutch Harrison, golfer
- Gene Hatfield, artist and writer
- Peyton Hillis, NFL running back; Arkansas Razorbacks 2004–07, Denver Broncos 2008–10, Cleveland Browns 2010–2011, Kansas City Chiefs 2012, New York Giants 2013–14
- V. E. Howard, Church of Christ minister who founded the radio International Gospel Hour; was a clergyman early in his career in Conway<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- James D. Johnson (d. 2010), late Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court and 1966 Democratic gubernatorial nominee
- Guy H. Jones, Arkansas state senator
- Bryce Molder, PGA Tour professional golfer
- Rob Morgan, racing driver
- Hiroyuki Nishimura, founded the Japanese website 2channel while studying at the University of Central Arkansas
- Scottie Pippen, NBA basketball forward, Chicago Bulls 1987-98 and 2003–2004, Houston Rockets 1998–99, Portland Trail Blazers 1999–2003, six-time NBA champion, considered one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time; attended the University of Central Arkansas
- Elijah Pitts, NFL running back; Green Bay Packers 1960s; rushed for two TDs in Super Bowl I
- Stanley Russ, Arkansas state senator
- Charlie Strong, NCAA Head football coach of The University of South Florida Bulls; (1980–1983) letterman as a defensive back at the University of Central Arkansas
- Symone (drag queen), winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 13
- Little Johnny Taylor, blues and soul singer
- Ray Thornton, former U.S. congressman and former justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court
- Jordan Wicks, former Conway High School and Kansas State alumnus. First round (pick #21) selection (2021 Major League Baseball draft), for the Chicago Cubs organization
Sister cities
[edit]Conway has one official sister city agreement with the city of Quakenbrueck, Germany. In 1986, the first exchange of visitors occurred between the cities. Starting in 1992, Dr. Oudekerk, a professor from Hendrix College, has taken several groups to the sister city in Germany. Since then, the high schools of each city have exchanged students to experience different cultures. The 25-year anniversary of the relationship was recently celebrated with a festival in Quakenbrueck with the theme of building bridges across the Atlantic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:Flagdeco Quakenbrueck, Lower Saxony, Germany – 1985
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Access Conway, the official government website of the City of Conway
- Conway Area Chamber of Commerce official website
Template:Faulkner County, Arkansas Template:Arkansas county seats