North Little Rock (abbreviated "NLR") is a city in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States. Located on the north side of the Arkansas River, it is the twin city of Little Rock. In the late nineteenth century, it was annexed by Little Rock for a period, but regained its independence in the early 20th century. The population was 64,591 at the 2020 Census, making it the seventh-most populous city in Arkansas.
The city has invested in significant beautification efforts since the late 20th century. Young families and professionals have shown new interest in this area. The Argenta Historic District in Downtown is one of a number of areas that have developed as thriving entertainment districts offering theaters, fine dining, bars, gastropubs, and boutiques.
It is also home to Dickey-Stephens Park, which hosts the Arkansas Travelers minor league baseball team. Simmons Bank Arena is the metropolitan area's main entertainment venue. Farther west is Burns Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.
Originally named Argenta, Arkansas, the community was founded on April 18, 1871. In 1890, the city of Little Rock annexed Argenta as part of its eighth ward, preempting a competing petition to incorporate.
As part of a plan to reclaim its independence, Argenta was incorporated on July 17, 1901, as the town of "North Little Rock". By 1904, the state's supreme court allowed North Little Rock to annex what was left of the ward. It readopted the name Argenta in 1906, only to revert to North Little Rock in October 1917. Evidence of the old town can still be found in the North Little Rock City Hall (in 1914) which contains plaques referring to Argenta, and incorporates "C of A" (City of Argenta) ornamental features.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 47.0 square miles (of which 44.8 square miles (is land and 2.2 square miles ((is water.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Kppen Climate Classification system, North Little Rock has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
North Little Rock has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot, and sunny summers and mild, wet winters with little snow. January on average is the coldest month, while July is typically the warmest, though occasionally August can claim the distinction. The overall yearly average temperature is 62.5 degrees. Precipitation averages 45.79 inches a year, with winter and spring tending to be wetter than summer and autumn. Severe thunderstorms can occur, especially during the Spring. On April 25, 2011, during that year's Super Outbreak, a possible tornado struck the US Air Force base in the city.
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 64,591 people, 27,903 households, and 14,720 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,234.2 people per square mile.
23.6% of the population were under 18, and 6.9% were under the age of 5. People over 65 made up 16.2% of the population. The gender make up was 51.9% female and 48.1% male.
As of the census of 2010, there were 62,304 people, 25,542 households, and 16,117 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,348.6 inhabitants per square mile (There were 27,567 housing units at an average density of 615.2 per square mile (The city was 54.02% White, 39.73% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 2.71% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. 5.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 25,542 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older[citation needed]. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males[citation needed].
The median income for a household in the city was $35,578, and the median income for a family was $43,595[citation needed]. Males had a median income of $31,420 versus $24,987 for females[citation needed]. The per capita income for the city was $19,662[citation needed]. About 12.4% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over[citation needed].
Dickey-Stephens Park is the location of the Arkansas Travelers baseball team.
The City of North Little Rock elected officials are a mayor, city council of eight members (two from each of the four wards), city clerk/treasurer, city attorney, and two judges. This is supplemented by a number of boards and commissions composed of city officials and residents.
North Little Rock is home to the headquarters of the Arkansas Municipal League (the state's only municipal representation organization. AML prides itself on providing leadership to each city or town before the state and federal governments. It is also a place for discussion and sharing of mutual concerns.
Most students attend public schools in the North Little Rock School District[citation needed] which includes:
The North Little Rock High School West Campus facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its art-deco architecture style.
In addition, the Pulaski County Special School District administers several other North Little Rock area schools, including:
Scipio Jones High School was the public school for black children under segregation. It was established in 1909 and disestablished in 1970.
In North Little Rock, there are a number of private schools:
North Little Rock previously had a Catholic grade school for black students, St. Augustine School. It closed in 1976.
The North Little Rock Public Library System has two branches: the Argenta Branch Library and the William F. Laman branch, which was named after a former mayor.
North Little Rock is also the eastern terminus of Interstate 30 and southern terminus of the Arkansas-designated portion of Interstate 57. Interstate 40, US 65, US 67, and US 167 all run through the city.
North Little Rock is home to the headquarters of Rock Region Metro, Arkansas's largest transit agency. Before 2015, it was known as CATA (Arkansas Transit Authority). That same year, all of CATA's former buses were retrofitted to be energy-efficient. Rock Region's main bus terminal is located in Little Rock nearby the city's River Market. Rock Region also has the Metro Rail streetcars, which are a group of classic black and yellow streetcars that can be seen in Little Rocks River Market and North Little Rocks Argenta.
In the city's northern part is the North Little Rock Municipal Airport. It has several hangars and is frequented by people who fly biplanes. It is a reliever airport for Clinton National Airport.
It is home to the National Weather Service North Little Rock, Arkansas. This is a major weather service authority in the region and frequently works with major media platforms to inform Arkansans of weather patterns in the state.
The North Little Rock Police Department operates unmanned aerial vehicles and has been working with a small pilotless helicopter since 2008.