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Rector, Arkansas
Main Street (AR 90)
Main Street (AR 90)
Location of Rector in Clay County, Arkansas.
Location of Rector in Clay County, Arkansas.
Country United States
State Arkansas
County Clay
Area
 • Total 1.36 sq mi (3.53 km2)
 • Land 1.36 sq mi (3.53 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
289 ft (88 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,862
 • Density 1,366.10/sq mi (527.58/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
72461
Area code(s) 870 Exchange: 595
FIPS code 05-58490
GNIS feature ID 0058468

Rector is a city in southeast Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,977 at the 2010 census.

History

Rector is named after Governor Henry Massey Rector (1816–1899).

In 1881 the Texas and St. Louis Railroad laid out the town of Rector about 2 miles (3 km) to the south of an existing settlement named Scatterville, and the population of Scatterville gradually migrated to the new town.

Geography

Rector is located in southern Clay County along the southeastern edge of Crowley's Ridge. U.S. Route 49 passes through the city, leading northeast 13 miles (21 km) to Piggott and southwest 7 miles (11 km) to Marmaduke.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Rector has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.5 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 525
1900 520 −1.0%
1910 1,859 257.5%
1920 1,801 −3.1%
1930 1,617 −10.2%
1940 1,736 7.4%
1950 1,855 6.9%
1960 1,757 −5.3%
1970 1,990 13.3%
1980 2,336 17.4%
1990 2,268 −2.9%
2000 2,017 −11.1%
2010 1,977 −2.0%
2020 1,862 −5.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Rector racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 1,693 90.92%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 12 0.64%
Native American 11 0.59%
Asian 1 0.05%
Pacific Islander 3 0.16%
Other/Mixed 81 4.35%
Hispanic or Latino 61 3.28%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,862 people, 805 households, and 460 families residing in the city.

Annual cultural events

The Rector Labor Day Picnic features a rodeo, a parade, beauty pageants, and is a popular political campaign stop.

Education

Public education is primarily provided by the Rector School District, which leads to graduation from Rector High School. The Rector School District was known as Clay County Central School District from 1985 until 2000. The current school district mascot is the cougar.

Notable people

  • Dale Alford, member of the United States House of Representatives for Arkansas's 5th congressional district, 1959 to 1963; district dismantled in 1963; reared in Rector
  • Jerry Bookout, Arkansas politician
  • Maurice Copeland, actor
  • Edwin A. Doss, colonel, USAF
  • Skeets McDonald, Rockabilly Artist-Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes
  • George Barker, Major General (2 stars) USARMY
  • Bill Carter, Entertainment Law - Rolling Stones, Promoter - Reba McEntire, Executive Producer - Gaither Homecoming Videos

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Rector (Arkansas) para niños

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