| Conway, Arkansas | |
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| — City — | |
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| Nickname(s): City of Colleges | |
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| Coordinates: 35°05′14″N 92°27′12″W / 35.08722°N 92.45333°WCoordinates: 35°05′14″N 92°27′12″W / 35.08722°N 92.45333°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Faulkner |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Incorporated | 1875 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Tabon Edward Townsell |
| Area | |
| - City | 35.26 sq mi (91.32 km2) |
| - Land | 35.05 sq mi (90.77 km2) |
| - Water | 0.21 sq mi (0.55 km2) |
| Elevation | 312 ft (95 m) |
| Population (2008) | |
| - City | 57,544 |
| - Density | 1,231.70/sq mi (475.56/km2) |
| - Metro | 675,069('08)Little Rock) |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | 72032-72035 |
| Area code(s) | 501 |
| FIPS code | 05-15190 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0076661 |
| Website | http://www.cityofconway.org/ |
Conway is the county seat of Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States.[1] The population was 43,167 at the 2000 census, and the population was 57,544 according to the 2008 Census estimate, making Conway the eighth most populous city in Arkansas. It is a principal city of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area which had 675,069 people in 2008. Conway is the second fastest growing city in Arkansas[2] and home to three postsecondary educational institutions, earning it the nickname "The City of Colleges".
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The City of Conway was founded by Asa P. Robinson, who came to Conway 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 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.[3]
Conway is the home of former Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice James D. Johnson[4], who ran unsuccessful races for governor in 1956 against then fellow Democrat Orval Eugene Faubus[5] and in 1966 against the Republican Winthrop Rockefeller[6]. The conservative Johnson later switched affiliation to the Republican Party but long after the death of his nemesis Rockefeller. Johnson also lost an important race in 1968 for the United States Senate against the incumbent James William Fulbright[7]. His wife, the late Virginia Johnson (d. 2007), ran for governor in 1968, while he was running for senator.[8]
Conway is located at 35°05′14″N 92°27′12″W / 35.087336°N 92.453315°W.[9]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.3 mi² (91.3 km²), of which 35.0 mi² (90.8 km²) is land and 0.2 mi² (0.5 km²) of it (0.60%) is water.
As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 43,167 people, 16,039 households, and 10,168 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,231.7 people per square mile (475.5/km²). There were 17,289 housing units at an average density of 493.3/sq mi (190.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.0% White, 12.1% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 3.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 16,039 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 22.4% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there are 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,063, and the median income for a family was $47,912. Males had a median income of $35,021 versus $25,418 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,509. 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 over.
In November and December 2005, the city of Conway commissioned a special census to update its demographic records. The certified results of this Special Census put Conway's population at 52,430.[11]
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1940 | 5,800 |
| 1950 | 8,600 |
| 1960 | 12,500 |
| 1970 | 15,510 |
| 1980 | 20,375 |
| 1990 | 26,481 |
| 2000 | 43,167 |
| 2010 | 53,250 |
Conway is home to the following colleges and universities:
Over 36% of Conway's adult workforce hold a baccalaureate degree or higher, making it the third best educated city over 10,000 in Arkansas, after Maumelle and Fayetteville.
Conway Public Schools is the city's public school district, and Conway High School is one of the largest in the state. Its mascot is the "Wampus Cat", a six-legged cat with "four to run with the speed of light, and two to fight with all its might."
The public school system is broken up into four different categories: Elementary (K-4), Intermediate (5-6), Middle (7-8), and High (9-10 at the East Campus and 11-12 at the West Campus).
Conway is also home to two private schools: Conway Christian and St. Joseph Catholic School.
Conway residents have many opportunities for cultural experiences. The Conway Symphony Orchestra performs many times throughout the year, and Conway Community Arts Association has been presenting theatre and other art opportunities to the community for thirty years. The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (http://www.arkshakes.com) is the state's only professional Shakespeare theatre and it is based in Conway with an annual summer festival held in June.
There are also many art, music and theatre opportunities provided by Conway's three colleges. The University of Central Arkansas's Public Appearances program provides a variety of dance, music, and theatre offerings each year.
Conway Public Schools has very strong theatre 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 he festival fund college scholarships for local students.[13]
Conway is also home to popular sport-fishing destination Lake Conway, home to largemouth bass, crappie, gar, catfish, bream, bowfin, etc.
The city held its first ever EcoFest 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.”[14][15]
Conway is historically filled with nappy people, specifically located at Hendrix College. Conway has been known to be filled with people associated with the word "meh", referring to the fact that they are "just alright" and not very exciting to be around. Hendrix College and UCA are also the butt of many jokes from University of Arkansas students, helping the UofA retain a sense of superiority in knowing that they are the best looking college students in the state. Because, really, have you ever been to Conway?
Conway is home to one of the world's largest school bus manufacturers, IC Corporation. The Conway plant is 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 Illinois. IC was previously known as American Transportation (AmTran) Corporation and Ward Body Works. The company was originally founded in 1933. IC has decided to close the plant and move all bus manufacturing to the Tulsa, OK plant [16].
R. D. “Bob” Nabholz founded Nabholz Construction in Conway in 1949. It currently employs over 800 people company wide and it 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.
In 1965, Baldwin Piano Company began manufacturing upright pianos at a plant in Conway. Over the years, other piano models were added to the production line. By 1998, the company's 270 employees were manufacturing 2,200 grand pianos a year. Baldwin Piano was acquired by Gibson Instruments in 2003. Gibson has now closed the Baldwin factory.
On June 19, 2008, Hewlett-Packard announced it would be opening a 150,000 sq ft (14,000 m2) facility with 1200 employees in 2009. The building, which will be owned by the Conway Development Corporation and leased to HP, will be located in The Meadows Office and Technology Park,[17] and is built by Nabholz Construction. The building will be LEED certified.[18][19]
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Conway is a city of the state of Arkansas in the United States of America. 57,544 people live there. Its nickname is "City of Colleges".
   | Toad Suck Daze - Toad Suck Daze | Conway, Arkansas |
| | Conway Area Chamber of Commerce - Conway Chamber of Commerce |
| | Access Conway - City of Conway Arkansas Official Web Site |
| | TheCabin.net - TheCabin.net ·· Log Cabin Democrat of Conway, Arkansas |
| | Conway Dining - ConwayDining.com - An Online Guide to Conway Restaurants |
| | Conway Public Schools - Conway Public School District |
| | Conway Symphony Orchestra - Conway Symphony Orchestra - Conway, Arkansas |
| | Conway Community Arts Association - Conway Community Arts Association |
| | Meet Conway - MeetConway.Com - the online presence of Conway Arkansas. |
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