27-453: Smackover is a small city in northern Union County , Arkansas , United States. According to the 2010 census, the population was at 1,865. It had a large oil boom in the 1920s, with production continuing for some time. In 1686, the French settlers called this area "Sumac Couvert" , which translates to "covered in sumac bushes ". This was transliterated, that is, phonetically Anglicized by
54-480: A female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
81-706: A place in the economy. Union County was formed on November 2, 1829, from portions of Clark and Hempstead counties. Areas along the waterways were originally developed for cotton plantations in the antebellum years, and planters depended on large groups of enslaved African-American workers to generate their profits. On January 10, 1921, Dr. Samuel T. Busey hit oil with a well about a mile south of El Dorado, leading to an oil boom that attracted thousands of workers and speculators. His first well produced for fewer than two months, but by 1923, "El Dorado boasted fifty-nine oil contracting companies, thirteen oil distributors and refiners, and twenty-two oil production companies. The city
108-429: A standardized methodology and set of questions. Per capita income is often used to measure a sector's average income and compare the wealth of different populations. Per capita income is also often used to measure a country's standard of living . When used to compare income levels of different countries, it is usually expressed using a commonly used international currency, such as the euro or United States dollar . It
135-659: A year, almost 1,000 wells had produced 25 million barrels of oil. In October 1922, a lighter oil was produced further west, from the Meakin sand, at depths between 2,230 and 2,350 feet (680 and 720 m) and 2,350 feet (720 m). Oil was discovered in the Blossom sand at a depth of 2,610 feet (800 m) in March 1923. The Graves sand was exploited for oil at a depth of 2,501 feet (762 m) in January 1925. On May 8, 1936, oil
162-426: Is a county located on the central southern border of the U.S. state of Arkansas . As of the 2020 census , the population was 39,054. The county seat is El Dorado . The county was formed on November 2, 1829, and named in recognition of the citizens' petition for a new county, which said that they were petitioning "in the spirit of Union and Unity." The county is directly adjacent to the south to Union Parish in
189-590: Is determined using regular population surveys, such as the American Community Survey . This allows the calculation of per capita income for both the country as a whole and specific regions or demographic groups. However, comparing per capita income across different countries is often difficult, since methodologies, definitions and data quality can vary greatly. Since the 1990s, the OECD has conducted regular surveys among its 38 member countries using
216-680: Is located on the Ouachita River in Union County and Ashley County , where it flows out of Arkansas and into Louisiana . As of the 2020 United States census , there were 39,054 people, 15,726 households, and 10,562 families residing in the county. As of the 2000 census , there were 45,629 people, 17,989 households, and 12,646 families residing in the county. The population density was 44 people per square mile (17 people/km ). There were 20,676 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (7.7/km ). The racial makeup of
243-672: Is primarily provided by the Smackover School District , which includes: The school district's athletic emblem is the Battlin' Buckaroos with black and white as the school colors. A street-mounted antique stop light is located in the center of town and western-style store fronts line Main Street. It is home to the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources . The Museum depicts the history and culture of Smackover and
270-468: The Great Depression . It recovered later in the decade. During World War II, chemical plants were established in the county, but their production declined after the war. Exploitation of Arkansas forests led to growth in the timber industry in the county. Oil, chemical and timber industries are still important to the economy, although in lesser proportion. According to the U.S. Census Bureau ,
297-618: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 4.2 square miles (11 km), all land. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Smackover has a humid subtropical climate , abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 1,630 people, 728 households, and 463 families residing in
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#1732786774292324-489: The United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions"). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications. The townships of Union County are listed below; listed in parentheses are
351-632: The poverty line , including 25.80% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over. Over the past few election cycles, Union County has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat (as of 2024) to carry this county was Bill Clinton (a native Arkansan) in 1996. Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However,
378-618: The 1920s there was a large-scale oil industry in Smackover. The industry declined here and across southern Arkansas by the 1960s, at a cost of many jobs and major losses to the area economy. The Smackover Oil Field was discovered on April 14, 1922. The J.T. Murphy well drilled by Oil Operators Trust, reached the Upper Cretaceous Nacatoch sand at a depth of 2,024 feet (617 m), part of the Norphlet dome . Within
405-547: The English-speaking settlers of the 19th century and later to the name "Smackover." The name Bayou de Chemin Couvert (Smackover Creek) first appeared in an April 5, 1789, letter written by the commandant of Fort Miro (Monroe, Louisiana) to the French territorial governor. Oil was discovered in this area in 1922; it attracted national attention, speculators, and an economic boom. Smackover was incorporated in 1923. In
432-447: The cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. 33°11′14″N 92°35′29″W / 33.18722°N 92.59139°W / 33.18722; -92.59139 Per capita income Per capita income ( PCI ) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income
459-420: The city was $ 28,807, and the median income for a family was $ 36,875. Males had a median income of $ 31,081 versus $ 19,536 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 14,461. About 9.1% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over. Public education for early childhood, elementary and secondary school students
486-476: The city. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,005 people, 794 households, and 565 families residing in the city. The population density was 471.9 inhabitants per square mile (182.2/km). There were 915 housing units at an average density of 215.3 per square mile (83.1/km). The racial makeup of the city was 72.57% White , 26.28% Black or African American , 0.10% Native American , 0.05% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , and 0.95% from two or more races. 0.25% of
513-416: The county has a total area of 1,055 square miles (2,730 km ), of which 1,039 square miles (2,690 km ) is land and 16 square miles (41 km ) (1.5%) is water. It is the largest county by area in Arkansas. Union County, along with Columbia County, has the largest bromine reserve in the United States . The lowest point in the state of Arkansas, also the lowest point in all landlocked U.S. states,
540-420: The county was 66.15% White , 31.97% Black or African American , 0.24% Native American , 0.40% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.46% from other races , and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 17,989 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.30% were married couples living together, 15.20% had
567-434: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 794 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
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#1732786774292594-526: The state of Louisiana. The El Dorado, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Union County. Called by boosters the "Queen City of South Arkansas", El Dorado was at the heart of the 1920s oil boom in South Arkansas. More recently, the city has been called "Arkansas's Original Boomtown," as it emphasizes its historic assets for heritage tourism. The chemical and timber industries became important during and after World War II, and still have
621-665: The surrounding area with an indoor reconstruction of the city's downtown, an Oil Field Park, and numerous exhibits illustrating South Arkansas's oil industry. Smackover hosts an annual four-day Oil Town Festival held in June. Longtime college coaching legend Wayne Hardin , a former Smackover resident, was inducted into the NFF College Hall of Fame in 2013. The city has two natives in the College Football Hall of Fame. Union County, Arkansas Union County
648-407: Was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males. The median income for a household in
675-415: Was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.00 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 29,809, and the median income for a family was $ 36,805. Males had a median income of $ 31,868 versus $ 19,740 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 16,063. About 14.70% of families and 18.70% of the population were below
702-567: Was discovered in the Jurassic Smackover Formation limestone at a depth of 4,800 feet (1,500 m) by the Phillips Petroleum Company . Oil and gas were produced from the porous Reynolds oolite at a depth of 4,897 feet (1,493 m). The city is in northern Union County along Smackover Creek . El Dorado lies about ten miles to the south-southeast along Arkansas Route 7 . According to
729-428: Was flooded with so many people that no bed space was available for them, leading to whole neighborhoods of tents and hastily constructed shacks to be erected throughout the city. The city's population reached a high of nearly 30,000 in 1925 during the boom before dropping to 16,241 by 1930 and rising to 25,000 by 1960." Oil production fell markedly in the early 1930s, in part due to companies' financial difficulties during
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