Little Rock is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. According to the 2020 census, the population of Little Rock was 202,591 residents, making it the largest city in Arkansas.
History
Little Rock was founded in 1821 as the capital of the Arkansas Territory. It was named after a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River that served as a landmark for river traffic. The “little rock” was used by early river traffic as a navigational aid.
The city’s location near the converging point of the Arkansas River with the Mississippi River made it an ideal spot for a capital city. Little Rock was formally incorporated as a town in 1831 and as a city in 1835. It became the state capital in 1836 when Arkansas achieved statehood.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Little Rock’s population steadily grew. The city became an important transportation hub, with railroad lines connecting it to other parts of the state. During the Civil War, Little Rock was the site of a major Union victory when Union forces captured the city in 1863.
In 1957, Little Rock gained national attention when Governor Orval Faubus resisted court-ordered desegregation of Little Rock Central High School. President Dwight D. Eisenhower intervened by sending federal troops to enforce desegregation and ensure the safety of the African American students, known as the Little Rock Nine.
Today, Little Rock continues to grow and thrive as the economic and cultural hub of Arkansas.
Geography & Climate
Little Rock is located on the south bank of the Arkansas River in the geographic center of the state. It has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. The city experiences all four seasons, with vibrant fall foliage and sometimes snowy winters.
The city spans both sides of the Arkansas River and covers 116.8 square miles of land and water. Little Rock lies in the Ouachita Mountains region, with several ridges and valleys throughout the metro area.
Demographics
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the racial makeup of Little Rock is:
- 42.4% White
- 42.1% Black or African American
- 6.4% Hispanic or Latino
- 4.1% Asian
- 4.7% Two or more races
- 0.3% Native American
- 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
The median household income in Little Rock is $51,614, which is slightly lower than the national median. About 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
Little Rock has a relatively young population, with a median age of 35. The city has many families with children under 18 as well as college students attending schools like the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Economy & Major Employers
Some of the major industries and employers in Little Rock include:
- Government – As the state capital and county seat, government administration is a major employer.
- Healthcare – The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is the state’s largest employer with over 10,000 employees.
- Retail – Major retail corporations like Dillard’s, Walmart, Kroger, and Gap have headquarters and operations located in the city.
- Finance & Insurance – Companies like Acxiom, Inuvo, Aristotle, Stephens Inc., and Aflac provide jobs in the banking, data, and insurance sectors.
- Education – The Little Rock School District and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock employ many of the city’s residents.
Major recent investments in the city include the $1.3 billion Clinton Presidential Center, Heifer International Headquarters, and the Arcade Hotel in the downtown River Market District. These additions have helped grow tourism and hospitality businesses in Little Rock.
Attractions & Tourism
As the largest metro area in Arkansas, Little Rock offers many attractions and things to do for tourists and residents:
- The Clinton Presidential Center – Located in downtown Little Rock, this library and museum chronicles the life and presidency of Arkansas native Bill Clinton.
- River Market District – A vibrant downtown area with a farmer’s market, restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions like the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.
- Arkansas State Capitol – The historic state capitol building features the state’s political history and houses the Arkansas General Assembly.
- Pinnacle Mountain State Park – Just outside the city, this park offers hiking, camping, fishing, and amazing views from its summit.
- Little Rock Zoo – Home to over 725 animals, the zoo has been a city staple since 1926.
- Heifer International – This global nonprofit has an urban farm and education center to promote sustainable agriculture.
- William J. Clinton Presidential Library – Located on the banks of the Arkansas River, this library houses artifacts and records from the Clinton presidency.
Little Rock’s central location makes it a great home base for exploring other parts of Arkansas. Many attractions like Hot Springs National Park, Crater of Diamonds State Park, and the Ozark Mountains are within driving distance.
Sports
Residents and visitors enjoy following Little Rock’s minor league and college sports teams. The city is home to:
- Arkansas Travelers – A Double-A minor league baseball team playing at Dickey-Stephens Park.
- Arkansas RimRockers – A basketball team in the NBA G League playing at Simmons Bank Arena.
- Little Rock Trojans – The athletic program of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock competes in the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference.
Little Rock also has deep roots with major league baseball. It was the home of the Arkansas Travelers Double-A team for many years when they were an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals. Hall of Fame inductees Lou Brock and Bill Dickey played in Little Rock early in their careers.
Living in Little Rock
The city of Little Rock provides an excellent quality of life for residents. The cost of living is affordable compared to national averages, and the city provides easy access to arts, culture, sports, outdoor activities, and more.
Little Rock is known for having friendly people, strong communities, and a great food scene. The city has walkable neighborhoods with diverse architecture and historic homes. Outdoor spaces like the Riverfront Park and the Arkansas River Trail offer recreation and natural beauty within the city.
People looking to move to Little Rock will find great schools, thriving job markets across industries, and a vibrant city to enjoy. As the population continues growing, Little Rock seeks to maintain its identity as the cultural heart of Arkansas.