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Moving to Fordyce, Arkansas

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Fordyce, Arkansas is located in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains, in Dallas County. The city is situated on the banks of the Saline River and has a population of approximately 5,000 people. It is known as a gateway to the Ouachita National Forest and has a mild climate with hot summers and cold winters.

Fordyce was founded in 1876 and named after Samuel Fordyce who was instrumental in developing its railroad system. Politics are dominated by conservative values, as evidenced by its strong support for President Trump during the 2016 election. The economy is driven by industries such as healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing. Fordyce also boasts several excellent schools including Fordyce High School which offers students a wide range of educational opportunities from pre-K to post-secondary education.

When it comes to landmarks, Fordyce has plenty to offer visitors. The city’s most famous landmark is the historic Fordyce Bathhouse which was built in 1915 and served as a popular destination for spa treatments until it closed in 1962. Other attractions include the Saline River Walkway which offers beautiful views of nature along its two-mile path; Fort Southerland Park which offers camping sites as well as recreational activities; and the Pine Hill Cemetery where many prominent citizens are buried.

Population: 4,799. Estimated population in July 2024: 4,409 (-8.1% change)
Males: 2,282 (47.6%), Females: 2,517 (52.4%)

Dallas County

Zip code: 71742

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.6 years
Median household income: $23,297
Median house value: $39,300

Population by Race

Races in Fordyce:

  • Black (49.7%)
  • White Non-Hispanic (48.2%)
  • Hispanic (1.2%)
  • Other race (0.8%)

Ancestries: United States (10.4%), Irish (4.8%), English (4.2%), German (1.8%).

Elevation: 286 feet

Land area: 6.6 square miles

Map of Fordyce, AR

Population by Education

Fordyce, Arkansas is located in the south central part of the state and is the county seat of Dallas County. As of 2020, the population was estimated to be 2,715 people. The town is largely rural with a majority of its population being White Americans. According to the 2019 Census Estimate, African Americans make up 8.7% of Fordyce’s population, while Hispanics and Latinos account for 1.5%. The median age in Fordyce is 37 years old.

Fordyce has a strong agricultural presence with many farms located in and around town. In addition to farming, Fordyce also has a number of businesses including banks, restaurants, and retail stores. There are two public schools in town as well as a private Christian school. The town also boasts several parks and trails that offer outdoor recreation opportunities for locals and visitors alike. The city hosts an annual Cotton Festival each October that celebrates the city’s cotton industry heritage with live music, food vendors, carnival rides and more!

For population 25 years and over in Fordyce

  • High school or higher: 65.6%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.8%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 2.1%
  • Unemployed: 9.9%
  • Mean travel time to work: 21.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Fordyce city

  • Never married: 26.8%
  • Now married: 50.6%
  • Separated: 3.3%
  • Widowed: 8.9%
  • Divorced: 10.4%

0.6% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -87 (-1.8%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Fordyce:

  • DALLAS COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (201 CLIFTON STREET)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Fordyce:

  • BRADLEY COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (about 28 miles; WARREN, AR)
  • OUACHITA COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (about 33 miles; CAMDEN, AR)
  • JEFFERSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 37 miles; PINE BLUFF, AR)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Fordyce:

  • ADAMS FIELD (about 64 miles; LITTLE ROCK, AR; Abbreviation: LIT)
  • MEMORIAL FIELD (about 65 miles; HOT SPRINGS, AR; Abbreviation: HOT)
  • LITTLE ROCK AFB (about 78 miles; JACKSONVILLE, AR; Abbreviation: LRF)

Other public-use airports nearest to Fordyce:

  • H L HOPKINS-FORDYCE MUNI (about 5 miles; FORDYCE, AR; Abbreviation: 5M4)
  • HAMPTON MUNI (about 21 miles; HAMPTON, AR; Abbreviation: 0R6)
  • HARRELL FIELD (about 27 miles; CAMDEN, AR; Abbreviation: CDH)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Fordyce:

  • UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF (about 45 miles; PINE BLUFF, AR; Full-time enrollment: 2,801)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT MONTICELLO (about 45 miles; Monticello, AR; Full-time enrollment: 2,048)
  • HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY (about 57 miles; ARKADELPHIA, AR; Full-time enrollment: 3,109)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK (about 64 miles; LITTLE ROCK, AR; Full-time enrollment: 8,024)
  • SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS (about 68 miles; MAGNOLIA, AR; Full-time enrollment: 2,646)
  • UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS (about 89 miles; CONWAY, AR; Full-time enrollment: 7,693)
  • LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY (about 91 miles; RUSTON, LA; Full-time enrollment: 9,013)

Schools

Public high school in Fordyce:

  • FORDYCE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 376; Location: 100 REDBUG BLVD.; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Fordyce:

  • MILLCREEK OF ARKANSAS (Students: 79; Location: P.O. BOX 727; Grades: 3 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Fordyce:

  • FORDYCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 551; Location: 350 REDBUG CIRCLE; Grades: PK – 05)
  • FORDYCE MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 284; Location: 75 REDBUG BLVD.; Grades: 06 – 08)

 

 

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