Batesville is a city located in Independence County, Arkansas, 114 miles (183 km) north by east of Little Rock, the State capital. In 1890, 2,150 people lived in Batesville; in 1900, 2,327, in 1910, 3,399; and in 1940, 5,267. As of the 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 9,445. The city is the county seat of Independence County.
Batesville is located at 35°46'25" North, 91°38'29" West (35.773488, -91.641338). Batesville lies on the White River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.5 km2 (10.6 mi2). 27.0 km2 (10.4 mi2) of it is land and 0.6 km2 (0.2 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 2.07% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 9,445 people, 3,777 households, and 2,383 families residing in the city. The population density is 350.3/km2 (907.3/mi2). There are 4,146 housing units at an average density of 153.8/km2 (398.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 91.42% White, 4.65% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.40% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. 2.50% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,777 households out of which 28.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% are married couples living together, 10.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% are non-families. 33.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.28 and the average family size is 2.92.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $33,133, and the median income for a family is $42,634. Males have a median income of $31,068 versus $20,506 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,753. 14.5% of the population and 11.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.1% of those under the age of 18 and 16.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Batesville is the second oldest city in the state of Arkansas. It was named for James Woodson Bates who settled in the town and was the first territorial delegate from Arkansas to the Congress of the United States. The town has also gone by the names of Napoleon and Polk Bayou.
In early days, Batesville was an important port on the White River and served as an entry point to the interior of northern Arkansas. Batesville played a large role in the settling of the Ozark Mountains region and served as the central land office for northern Arkansas.
The first known settlement of the Batesville area was in 1810 near the mouth of Polk Bayou, and by 1819 the town had a ferry across the White River and about a dozen houses. The town was partially laid out in early 1821, and on March 3, 1822 a bill of assurrance was recorded and executed and the town's plat was laid out. Batesville became the county seat in 1821. In January 1822, Judge Richard Searcy opened the town's first state circuit court. The town's first post office was established in 1822, and in 1830 became the home of a county court. On 25 September 1836, shortly after Arkansas was granted its statehood, Governor Conway incorperated Batesville Academy, the state's first academy. In the past, the area in and around the city had extensive quarries of manganese ore, phosphate rock, sandstone, limestone, and marble.
Batesville is the home of Lyon College, a private college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and noted for the annual Arkansas Scottish Festival each spring. In addition, the city is home to the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, and NASCAR driver Mark Martin.
Source:
BatesvilleAR.com
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