Newport is home to a campus of the Arkansas State University system, with particular focus on training in transportation careers. Newport is known as the town in which Sam Walton owned a Ben Franklin store prior to starting Wal-Mart.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.7 square miles (35.5 km2), of which 13.4 square miles (34.8 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.7 km2), or 1.92%, is water.[3]
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, Newport has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[4]
Climate data for Newport, Arkansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1884–present)
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,005 people, 2,261 households, and 1,234 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census[9] of 2000, the city's residents comprised 7,811 people in 2,690 households 1,702 families. The population density was 599.2 inhabitants per square mile (231.4/km2). There were 3,118 housing units at an average density of 239.2 per square mile (92.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 56.57% White, 41.76% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,690 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.
19.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 16.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,853, and the median per capita income was $13,867.[10] About 23.6% of families and 28.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.6% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
Harmon L. Remmel, Republican party boss in the early 20th century
Martha Shoffner, Treasurer of the State of Arkansas from 2007 to 2013
Robert L. Stanton, born and raised in Newport; he became a dentist and in 1932 the first African American to be elected to the Indiana State House on the Democratic Party ticket, serving two terms
Dwight Tosh, member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Jonesboro; former Newport resident and former state police officer
Jim Wood, Arkansas State Auditor from 2003 to 2011
