Hope, Arkansas

Encyclopedia : H : HO : HOP : Hope, Arkansas

Hope is a small city in Hempstead County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 10,616 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Hempstead County^{[Geographic references#6GR6]}.

It is notable primarily as the birth place of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton (see Bill Clinton Birthplace). At the 1992 Democratic National Convention, Clinton ended his acceptance speech by saying, "I believe in a place called Hope" (the city converted its railroad depot to a museum featuring the life and accomplishments of Clinton). It is also the birth place of the current governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee.

Hope is also known for growing watermelons, and continues to produce world records for the largest watermelons in the world. The last record was set by Lloyd Bright in 2005 with a 268.8 pound watermelon. The Watermelon Festival is celebrated annually on the last week of August. The watermelon is used in the city's logo and its slogan: A Slice of the Good Life.

Geography

Hope is located at [33°40′4″N, 93°35′24″W] (33.667779, -93.589908)^{[Geographic references#1GR1]}.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.1 km² (10.1 mi²). 25.9 km² (10.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.60%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census^{[Geographic references#2GR2]} of 2000, there were 10,616 people, 3,961 households, and 2,638 families residing in the city. The population density was 409.9/km² (1,061.9/mi²). There were 4,301 housing units at an average density of 166.1/km² (430.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 47.71% White, 43.17% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.63% from other races, and 1.78% from two or more races. 13.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,961 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 21.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. Of 3,961 households, 192 are unmarried partner households: 175 heterosexual, 11 same-sex male, and 6 same-sex female households. (Note: Stigmatization of homosexuality may prevent same-sex couples from reporting themselves as such on the US Census, especially in more conservative areas.) 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,385, and the median income for a family was $28,445. Males had a median income of $23,525 versus $17,394 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,783. About 22.3% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.1% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

External links

[City of Hope, Arkansas official website]

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