Conway, Arkansas
Encyclopedia : C : CO : CON : Conway, Arkansas
Conway is a city located in Faulkner County, Arkansas, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city was the eighth most populous in Arkansas, with a total population of 43,167. A 2005 special census indicate the population has risen since then to 52,430 [link]. The city is the county seat of Faulkner County[Geographic references#6GR6] and is the second fastest growing city in Arkansas [link]. Conway is the home of the University of Central Arkansas, a state institution with enrollment of over 11,000 students in fall of 2005.
Demographics
In November and December of 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[link].As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 43,167 people, 16,039 households, and 10,168 families residing in the city. The population density was 475.5/km² (1,231.7/mi²). There were 17,289 housing units at an average density of 190.5/km² (493.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.03% White, 12.12% 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. 2.28% 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. Considering this, Conway is the third "youngest city" in Arkansas after Fayetteville and Arkadelphia. 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.
Education
Conway is home to the following colleges and universities: Over 36% of Conway's adult workforce hold at least a bachelor's degree making it the third most educated city in Arkansas behind Fayetteville and Maumelle.[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."
Culture
Conway residents have many opportunities for cultural expieriences. 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.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.
Toad Suck Daze
[Toad Suck Daze], a music, arts and food festival that began in 1982, is held annually in downtown Conway during the first weekend in May. Originally held at Toad Suck Park near the Arkansas River Lock and Dam, the festival was moved in 1990 due to flooding and has remained in the downtown area ever since. The festival is one of the largest of its kind in Arkansas, attracting tens of thousands of visitors per year. Notable attractions at the event include carnival rides and "Toad Races," in which visitors race either home-brought or community-bred toads on a modified race course. The festival raises money to give educational scholarships. In 2006, $50,000 was contributed toward scholarships.The legend behind Toad Suck is that long ago, steam boats traveled the Arkansas River when the water was at the right depth. When it wasn't, the captains and their crew tied up to wait where the Toad Suck Lock and Dam now spans the river near Conway. While they waited, they refreshed themselves at the local tavern. The dismayed folks living nearby were heard to say: "They suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads." Hence, the name Toad Suck. The tavern is long gone, but the legend lives on at Toad Suck Daze.
External links
- [Maps and aerial photos]
- * Street map from [Google Maps] or [Yahoo! Maps]
- * Topographic map from [TopoZone]
- * Aerial image or topographic map from [TerraServer-USA]
- * Satellite image from [Google Maps] or [Windows Live Local]
- [Conway Dining] is a listing and menu of local restaurants
- [Access Conway], the official government website of the City of Conway
- [thecabin.net], online home of The Log Cabin Democrat, Conway and Faulkner County's local newspaper
- [Conway Area Chamber of Commerce] official website
- [Toad Suck Daze] official website
- [Conway Public Schools] website
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