Moving to Donaldson, Arkansas

Donaldson, Arkansas is a small city located in the northern part of the state. Geographically, it is situated in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and is surrounded by a lush landscape of rolling hills and wooded areas. The climate of Donaldson is typically mild with hot summers and cool winters. It also experiences a fair amount of precipitation throughout the year, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking.

The history of Donaldson dates back to the 1800s when it was first settled by settlers from Tennessee. Since then, it has grown steadily, becoming an important center for industry and agriculture in Arkansas. Politically, Donaldson is part of Scott County and has been represented in Congress since 1891. The economy of Donaldson is largely based on agriculture and manufacturing; however, there are also many small businesses that provide services to the community as well.

Donaldson has a number of public schools that serve students from pre-K through 12th grade as well as several private schools. Many students also attend college or university courses at nearby institutions such as Arkansas State University or University of Arkansas at Little Rock. There are several notable landmarks in Donaldson including the historic courthouse that was built in 1881 and used until 1929 when it was replaced by a newer building; two museums dedicated to local history; several churches; and a number of parks with walking trails and recreational facilities.

Population: 326. Estimated population in July 2024: 334 (+2.5% change)
Males: 161 (49.4%), Females: 165 (50.6%)

Hot Spring County

Zip code: 71941

Demographics

Median resident age: 36.5 years
Median household income: $22,813
Median house value: $34,800

Population by Race

Races in Donaldson:

• White Non-Hispanic (97.2%)
• Two or more races (1.5%)
• American Indian (1.2%)
• Hispanic (0.6%)

Ancestries: United States (23.9%), Irish (13.2%), German (9.8%), English (5.2%), Scotch-Irish (5.2%), Scottish (4.0%).

Elevation: 229 feet

Land area: 0.7 square miles

Population by Education

Donaldson, Arkansas is a small town in the Ozark region of the state. The population of Donaldson is estimated to be just over 1,000 people. Most of the residents are white, accounting for about 75% of the population. The remaining 25% is made up of other races, including African American, Hispanic, and Native American. The median age in Donaldson is around 40 years old and about half of the population are married couples. There is also a sizeable number of single-parent households in Donaldson with many children living in them.

The economy in Donaldson revolves around agriculture and forestry-related jobs. Many residents work on nearby farms or as loggers in the surrounding forests; however, there are also some businesses located within town limits that provide employment opportunities to its citizens. Education is also important to this small town as there are two elementary schools and one high school within its borders. These schools provide educational opportunities for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade and help to ensure that children in the area receive a quality education. Finally, there is an active community center that provides various activities for both adults and children alike such as outdoor movies during the summer months or holiday events throughout the year. This center helps to create a sense of community among its citizens and brings people together regardless of age or race.

For population 25 years and over in Donaldson

• High school or higher: 77.9%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 4.9%
• Graduate or professional degree: 1.0%
• Unemployed: 4.6%
• Mean travel time to work: 36.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Donaldson town

• Never married: 12.7%
• Now married: 60.7%
• Separated: 1.2%
• Widowed: 12.3%
• Divorced: 13.1%

0.0% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +99 (+43.6%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Donaldson:

• HOT SPRING COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (about 12 miles; MALVERN, AR)
• BAPTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER -ARKADEL (about 13 miles; ARKADELPHIA, AR)
• LEO N LEVI NATIONAL ARTHRITIS (about 20 miles; HOT SPRINGS, AR)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Donaldson:

• MEMORIAL FIELD (about 20 miles; HOT SPRINGS, AR; Abbreviation: HOT)
• ADAMS FIELD (about 59 miles; LITTLE ROCK, AR; Abbreviation: LIT)
• LITTLE ROCK AFB (about 72 miles; JACKSONVILLE, AR; Abbreviation: LRF)

Other public-use airports nearest to Donaldson:

• MALVERN MUNI (about 14 miles; MALVERN, AR; Abbreviation: M78)
• DEXTER B FLORENCE MEMORIAL FIELD (about 14 miles; ARKADELPHIA, AR; Abbreviation: M89)
• GURDON LOWE FIELD (about 28 miles; GURDON, AR; Abbreviation: 5M8)

Amtrak stations near Donaldson:

• 12 miles: MALVERN (200 E. 1ST ST.). Services: fully wheelchair accessible, public payphones, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for taxi service.
• 13 miles: ARKADELPHIA (798 S. 5TH ST.)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Donaldson:

• HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY (about 23 miles; ARKADELPHIA, AR; Full-time enrollment: 3,109)
• UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK (about 53 miles; LITTLE ROCK, AR; Full-time enrollment: 8,024)
• UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF (about 67 miles; PINE BLUFF, AR; Full-time enrollment: 2,801)
• SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS (about 71 miles; MAGNOLIA, AR; Full-time enrollment: 2,646)
• UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS (about 72 miles; CONWAY, AR; Full-time enrollment: 7,693)
• ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY (about 74 miles; RUSSELLVILLE, AR; Full-time enrollment: 4,450)
• UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT MONTICELLO (about 89 miles; Monticello, AR; Full-time enrollment: 2,048)

Schools

Public high school in Donaldson:

• OUACHITA HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 174; Location: 258 SCHOOL HOUSE RD; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Donaldson:

• OUACHITA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 201; Location: 332 SCHOOL HOUSE RD; Grades: KG – 06)