McNeil, Arkansas

McNeil, Arkansas
City
Location of McNeil in Columbia County, Arkansas.
Coordinates: 33°20′53″N93°12′30″W / 33.34806°N 93.20833°W / 33.34806; -93.20833
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Columbia
Area [1]
• Total	1.27 sq mi (3.28 km2)
• Land	1.27 sq mi (3.28 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	328 ft (100 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	381
• Density	300.47/sq mi (116.02/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	71752
Area code	870
FIPS code	05-43100
GNIS feature ID	2405054 [2]

McNeil is a town in Columbia County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 516 at the 2010 census, ^[3] down from 662 in 2000. The community was named after William B. McNeil, founder of the College Hill Academy.

Geography

McNeil is located in northern Columbia County 6 miles (10 km) north of downtown Magnolia, the county seat.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.5 km²), all land. ^[3]

Logoly State Park, part of the Arkansas State Parks System, is located just east of McNeil, off Highway 79. Most of Logoly's 368 acres (1.49 km²) comprise a State Natural Area that includes unique plant species and mineral springs.

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, McNeil has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[4]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	294		—
1900	260		−11.6%
1910	482		85.4%
1920	448		−7.1%
1930	460		2.7%
1940	694		50.9%
1950	597		−14.0%
1960	746		25.0%
1970	684		−8.3%
1980	725		6.0%
1990	686		−5.4%
2000	662		−3.5%
2010	516		−22.1%
2020	381		−26.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [5]

As of the census ^[6] of 2000, there were 662 people, 237 households, and 165 families residing in the city. The population density was 493.4 inhabitants per square mile (190.5/km²). There were 280 housing units at an average density of 208.7 per square mile (80.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 40.33% White, 58.31% Black or African American, 0.15% Asian, and 1.21% from two or more races. 1.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 237 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 21.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.1% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,136, and the median income for a family was $27,188. Males had a median income of $24,135 versus $16,563 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,986. About 26.9% of families and 32.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.2% of those under age 18 and 31.5% of those age 65 or over.

Infrastructure

Highways

• U.S. Highway 79
• Arkansas Highway 98
• Arkansas Highway 98 Business

Education

Students are assigned to the Magnolia School District which operates Magnolia High School. ^[7]

It was previously in the McNeil School District. On July 1, 2004, it consolidated into the Stephens School District. ^[8] According to the Stephens school district's attorney, Clay Fendley, there was, in the words of Mike McNeill of the Magnolia Reporter , "bitterness" resulting from the McNeil consolidation. ^[7]

The Arkansas Board of Education (ABE) voted to dissolve the Stephens School District in 2014, and the portion serving McNeil was given to the Magnolia School District. ^[7] Before the ABE made its final decision to break up the Stephens district, it was deciding whether to consolidate it entirely with the Nevada School District or divide it into three pieces. McNeil residents favored the split-up proposal because their children could go to school in Magnolia, which is closer to McNeil than Stephens; Magnolia is 6 miles (9.7 km) from McNeil. ^[9]

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: McNeil, Arkansas
3. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): McNeil city, Arkansas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
4. Climate Summary for McNeil, Arkansas
5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
7. McNeill, Mike (April 11, 2014). "5-2 state board vote shuts down Stephens School District". Magnolia Reporter . Retrieved May 23, 2018.
8. "ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls." Arkansas Department of Education. Retrieved on May 23, 2018.
9. Musa, Aziza; Cynthia Howell (April 11, 2014). "Stephens school split-up OK'd". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette . Retrieved June 5, 2018. - See preview

External links

• Logoly State Park