Elaine, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Elaine is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas
, United States
. The population was 865 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 865 people, 330 households, and 222 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,725.8 people per square mile (668.0/km²). There were 356 housing units at an average density of 710.3 per square mile (274.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.08% White
, 58.15% Black
or African American
, 0.92% from other races
, and 1.85% from two or more races. 6.01% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. Agriculture by rice production brought in seasonal migrant laborers from Mexico
and Latin America
in the town, nearby Lake View
and the Helena
area.
There were 330 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were married couples
living together, 30.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 19.5% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 80.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $19,479, and the median income for a family was $22,813. Males had a median income of $22,386 versus $18,056 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,640. About 33.5% of families and 41.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 59.1% of those under age 18 and 26.5% of those age 65 or over.
At 6:15 PM, April 26, 2011, a tornado - part of the April 25–28, 2011 tornado outbreak
- hit the Elaine area. The tornado was classified as an EF-0
, with estimated wind speeds of 75 mile per hour. The tornado's path of destruction was 200 yards (182.9 m) wide and the tornado travelled a path of 21.5 miles (34.6 km) along Highway 61
, across the Mississippi
state line, ending near Lula, Mississippi
. Most of the tornado's damage was concentrated in Friars Point
and Coahoma
, both in Mississippi.
serves the community. Marvell Primary School and Marvell High School in Marvell
serve Elaine.
Previously the Elaine School District
served the community. On July 1, 2006, the Elaine district merged into the Marvell district. When the district existed, it operated Lucilia Wood Elementary School and Elaine High School.
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 865 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Elaine is located at 34°18′31"N 90°51′15"W (34.308595, -90.854201).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 865 people, 330 households, and 222 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,725.8 people per square mile (668.0/km²). There were 356 housing units at an average density of 710.3 per square mile (274.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.08% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 58.15% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.92% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.85% from two or more races. 6.01% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. Agriculture by rice production brought in seasonal migrant laborers from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
in the town, nearby Lake View
Lake View, Arkansas
Lake View is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 531 at the 2000 census. Because there is also a Lakeview in Baxter County, many residents want to rename Lakeview to "Lake Helena". The original settlement name was "Turkey Scratch" from the 1850s to the official...
and the Helena
Helena-West Helena, Arkansas
Helena-West Helena is the county seat of and the largest city within Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The current city represents a consolidation, effective on January 1, 2006, of the two Arkansas cities of Helena and West Helena. West Helena is located on the western side of Crowley's...
area.
There were 330 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 30.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 19.5% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 80.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $19,479, and the median income for a family was $22,813. Males had a median income of $22,386 versus $18,056 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $12,640. About 33.5% of families and 41.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 59.1% of those under age 18 and 26.5% of those age 65 or over.
History
See Elaine Race RiotElaine Race Riot
The Elaine Race Riot, also called the Elaine Massacre, occurred September 30, 1919 in the town of Elaine in Phillips County, Arkansas, in the Arkansas Delta, where sharecropping by African American farmers was prevalent on plantations of white landowners.Approximately 100 African American farmers,...
At 6:15 PM, April 26, 2011, a tornado - part of the April 25–28, 2011 tornado outbreak
April 25–28, 2011 tornado outbreak
An extremely large and violent tornado outbreak, the largest tornado outbreak ever recorded, and popularly known as the 2011 Super Outbreak, occurred from April 25 to 28, 2011. The outbreak affected the Southern, Midwestern, and Northeastern United States, leaving catastrophic destruction in...
- hit the Elaine area. The tornado was classified as an EF-0
Enhanced Fujita Scale
The Enhanced Fujita Scale rates the strength of tornadoes in the United States based on the damage they cause.Implemented in place of the Fujita scale introduced in 1971 by Ted Fujita, it began operational use on February 1, 2007. The scale has the same basic design as the original Fujita scale:...
, with estimated wind speeds of 75 mile per hour. The tornado's path of destruction was 200 yards (182.9 m) wide and the tornado travelled a path of 21.5 miles (34.6 km) along Highway 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
, across the Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
state line, ending near Lula, Mississippi
Lula, Mississippi
Lula is a town in Coahoma County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 370 at the 2000 census.Lula was the birthplace of Dr. Ransom Myers , a renowned Canadian-based marine biologist/conservationist who published a seminal study on overfishing revealing the dramatic loss of nearly 90% of...
. Most of the tornado's damage was concentrated in Friars Point
Friars Point, Mississippi
Friars Point is a town in Coahoma County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,480 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Friars Point is located at ....
and Coahoma
Coahoma, Mississippi
Coahoma is a town in Coahoma County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 325 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Coahoma is located at ....
, both in Mississippi.
Education
The Marvell-Elaine School DistrictMarvell-Elaine School District
The Marvell-Elaine School District #22, previously Marvell School District No. 22, is a school district headquartered in Marvell, Arkansas.It serves Marvell, Elaine, and other areas in Phillips County....
serves the community. Marvell Primary School and Marvell High School in Marvell
Marvell, Arkansas
Marvell is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,395. Marvell was featured on ABC News's World News With Charles Gibson October 6, 2009 telecast as a center of infestation by newer pesticide-resistant strains of pigweed,...
serve Elaine.
Previously the Elaine School District
Elaine School District
The Elaine School District #30 was a school district headquartered in Elaine, Arkansas. Its territory is now within the Marvell-Elaine School District....
served the community. On July 1, 2006, the Elaine district merged into the Marvell district. When the district existed, it operated Lucilia Wood Elementary School and Elaine High School.