City in Arkansas, United States
| Heber Springs, Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 Location of Heber Springs in Cleburne County, Arkansas. | |
| Coordinates: 35°29′58″N 92°01′20″W / 35.49944°N 92.02222°W / 35.49944; -92.02222 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Cleburne |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.09 sq mi (23.55 km) |
| • Land | 9.09 sq mi (23.55 km) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km) |
| Elevation | 466 ft (142 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 6,969 |
| • Density | 766.33/sq mi (295.87/km) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 72543, 72545 |
| Area code | 501 |
| FIPS code | 05-31090 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404673 |
| Website | cityofhebersprings |
Heber Springs is a city in and the county seat of Cleburne County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 7,165 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Heber Springs is located near the center of Cleburne County. Arkansas Highway 5 bypasses the center of the city to the east, leading north 40 miles (64 km) to Mountain View and south 62 miles (100 km) to Little Rock (via U.S. Route 67). Searcy is 28 miles (45 km) to the southeast via Highway 16.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.4 square miles (21.7 km), all land. The city was named for a series of natural springs that are located on the east side of town on Main Street. Greers Ferry Lake and the Little Red River are located just north of the city, where rainbow trout are stocked in the Little Red and can be fished below the Greers Ferry Dam. The lake is a major tourism draw for swimming, boating, and personal watercraft, complemented by the Little Red River and Sugarloaf Mountain along the eastern portion of the city.
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, Heber Springs has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
| Climate data for Heber Springs, Arkansas (Greers Ferry Dam) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1903–1908, 1962–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 78 (26) |
82 (28) |
92 (33) |
94 (34) |
97 (36) |
107 (42) |
110 (43) |
113 (45) |
108 (42) |
95 (35) |
89 (32) |
78 (26) |
113 (45) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 68.5 (20.3) |
72.3 (22.4) |
79.6 (26.4) |
84.5 (29.2) |
88.7 (31.5) |
93.8 (34.3) |
98.2 (36.8) |
98.8 (37.1) |
94.3 (34.6) |
87.2 (30.7) |
77.1 (25.1) |
69.0 (20.6) |
100.3 (37.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 48.4 (9.1) |
53.5 (11.9) |
61.8 (16.6) |
71.6 (22.0) |
79.2 (26.2) |
86.6 (30.3) |
90.9 (32.7) |
90.6 (32.6) |
84.0 (28.9) |
73.2 (22.9) |
60.8 (16.0) |
51.0 (10.6) |
71.0 (21.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 38.1 (3.4) |
42.2 (5.7) |
50.2 (10.1) |
59.5 (15.3) |
67.9 (19.9) |
76.1 (24.5) |
80.2 (26.8) |
79.3 (26.3) |
72.4 (22.4) |
61.2 (16.2) |
50.0 (10.0) |
41.0 (5.0) |
59.8 (15.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 27.7 (−2.4) |
30.9 (−0.6) |
38.5 (3.6) |
47.4 (8.6) |
56.7 (13.7) |
65.5 (18.6) |
69.5 (20.8) |
68.0 (20.0) |
60.8 (16.0) |
49.2 (9.6) |
39.1 (3.9) |
31.1 (−0.5) |
48.7 (9.3) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 12.6 (−10.8) |
16.4 (−8.7) |
23.0 (−5.0) |
33.3 (0.7) |
43.8 (6.6) |
56.0 (13.3) |
62.1 (16.7) |
60.4 (15.8) |
47.9 (8.8) |
34.8 (1.6) |
24.4 (−4.2) |
18.4 (−7.6) |
9.5 (−12.5) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −7 (−22) |
−3 (−19) |
9 (−13) |
26 (−3) |
33 (1) |
46 (8) |
50 (10) |
49 (9) |
35 (2) |
24 (−4) |
8 (−13) |
−5 (−21) |
−7 (−22) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.79 (96) |
3.84 (98) |
4.94 (125) |
5.35 (136) |
5.69 (145) |
3.72 (94) |
4.37 (111) |
3.78 (96) |
3.65 (93) |
4.24 (108) |
5.09 (129) |
4.92 (125) |
53.38 (1,356) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.6 (1.5) |
0.6 (1.5) |
0.7 (1.8) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.7 (1.8) |
2.6 (6.6) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.7 | 7.9 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 10.2 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 7.9 | 6.6 | 7.9 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 100.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.0 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 322 | — | |
| 1900 | 552 | 71.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,126 | 104.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,675 | 48.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,401 | −16.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,656 | 18.2% | |
| 1950 | 2,109 | 27.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,265 | 7.4% | |
| 1970 | 2,497 | 10.2% | |
| 1980 | 4,589 | 83.8% | |
| 1990 | 5,628 | 22.6% | |
| 2000 | 6,432 | 14.3% | |
| 2010 | 7,165 | 11.4% | |
| 2020 | 6,969 | −2.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 6,323 | 90.73% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 23 | 0.33% |
| Native American | 37 | 0.53% |
| Asian | 51 | 0.73% |
| Other/Mixed | 314 | 4.51% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 221 | 3.17% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,969 people, 2,868 households, and 1,890 families residing in the city.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 7,165 people, 2,793 households, and 1,851 families residing in the city. The population density was 923.7 inhabitants per square mile (356.6/km). There were 3,159 housing units at an average density of 453.7 per square mile (175.2/km). The racial makeup of the city was 97.90% White, 0.23% Black or African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,793 households, out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21, and the average family size was 2.72.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,599, and the median income for a family was $37,228. Males had a median income of $30,772 versus $19,720 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,656. About 8.6% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
History
Initially named Sugar Loaf, Heber Springs was founded by Max Frauenthal. In 1881, Frauenthal bought land in Van Buren County from John T. Jones. He founded the Sugar Loaf Springs Company and plotted a town site which was incorporated as "Sugar Loaf" on October 4, 1882. In 1883, Frauenthal donated land for the courthouse square, built a frame courthouse to be used by the soon-to-be-created Cleburne County, and donated the land for Spring Park, thus securing the county seat for the new town. Frauenthal chose the name Cleburne County to honor Confederate General Patrick Cleburne, who was killed in the Battle of Franklin in 1864. In 1910, Sugar Loaf's name was changed to Heber Springs in order to avoid confusion with another town with a post office named Sugar Loaf. Frauenthal chose the new name to honor John T. Jones's son, Dr. Heber Jones, who was a prominent physician in Memphis, Tennessee, where Frauenthal had since moved.
The 200–300 feet long Swinging Bridge over the Little Red River was erected in 1912, closed for vehicles 1972 and kept for pedestrians in a recreational area and placed in National Register of Historic Places in 1985. On 28 October 1989 30 to 50 young pedestrians rocked the span back and forth until the upstream steel cable of the suspension bridge broke. The span flipped, the other cable broke and the bridge collapsed and fell 30 feet deep into the river. At least 5 people died, 18 were hurt.
Greers Ferry Dam
Located on the Little Red River, the dam was dedicated in October 1963 by President John F. Kennedy just one month before his assassination. This event marks the only time a sitting president has visited Cleburne County.
Education
Public education for elementary and secondary students is provided by:
- Heber Springs School District, the school district covering the city limits, with students graduating from Heber Springs High School.
Notable people
- Brandon Bell (recording engineer), Grammy Award winning record engineer, mix engineer and producer
- Everett G. Burkhalter, represented the 27th District of California in the U.S. House of Representatives
- Paul Caraway, High Commissioner of the U.S. Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands
- Mike Disfarmer, photographer
- Max Frauenthal, Civil War hero and founding father of Heber Springs
- Laurell K. Hamilton, author of the "Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter" series and "Meredith Gentry" series
- Johnnie Bryan Hunt, founder of J.B. Hunt Transport Services
- Johnelle Hunt, co-founder of J.B. Hunt Transport Services
- Tommy Land, Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands
- Mindy McCready, country music singer (Committed suicide in Heber Springs)
- Josh Miller, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from District 66, including Heber Springs
- Colin O'More, concert singer, educator, and broadcasting executive
- Almeda Riddle, folk singer
- Fred Williams, NFL football player
Points of interest
The Clarence Frauenthal House, built in 1914, is home of the Cleburne County Historical Society.
References
- "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Heber Springs, Arkansas
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Heber Springs city, Arkansas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
- Climate Summary for Heber Springs, Arkansas
- "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- Max Frauenthal, at Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved on July 28, 2015.
- Five Killed and One Missing as Bridge Falls Into an Arkansas River nytimes.com, Print, National Edition, section 1, page 24, October 29, 1989. Retrieved on March 26, 2024.
- JFK speaks in Little Rock; Dedicates Dam. Ocala Star-Banner – October 3, 1963 – News.google.com. Retrieved on June 13, 2012.
- "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Cleburne County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- "World War II Draft Registration Card for Colin O'More". United States: The Generations Network. April 27, 1942. Retrieved January 12, 2023 – via ancestry.com.
- Frauenthal House, at Encyclopedia of Arkansas Archived June 12, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved on June 13, 2012.
External links
| Municipalities and communities of Cleburne County, Arkansas, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| County seat: Heber Springs | ||
| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
