Newport is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Arkansas, United States located on the White River northeast of Little Rock. The population was 7,879 at the 2010 census.
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.
Newport has ten properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and , or 1.92%, is water.
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.
Demographics
2020 census
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 of 2000, the city's residents comprised 7,811 people in 2,690 households 1,702 families. The population density was 599.2 people per square mile (231.5/km). There were 3,118 housing units at an average density of 239.2 per square mile (92.4/km). 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. 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.
Government and infrastructure
The Grimes Unit and the McPherson Unit, prisons of the Arkansas Department of Correction, are located in Newport, off Arkansas Highway 384, east of central Newport. The prison houses the state's death row for women.
The United States Postal Service operates the Newport Post Office.
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Newport is supported with public education from the Newport School District, including Newport High School.
Postsecondary education
The main campus of the two-year community college, Arkansas State University-Newport is located here.
Notable people
Commerce
Helen Walton, wife of Sam Walton
Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart
S. Robson Walton, John T. Walton, Jim Walton and Alice Walton, children of the Wal-Mart founder
Entertainment and literature
Sonny Burgess, rockabilly artist and a member of Rockabilly Hall of Fame
Elizabeth Gregg Patterson, short fiction writer
Mary Steenburgen, Academy Award-winning actress
Politics, military, and education
Mike Beebe, former Governor of Arkansas
Les Eaves, member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from White County; businessman in Newport
Kaneaster Hodges, Jr., appointed to succeed John McClellan as United States Senator upon McClellan's death in 1977
Paul K. Holmes III, federal judge
Ed Madden, activist, poet, and professor at the University of South Carolina
Admiral Charles Ray, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard
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
Sports
Dowell Loggains, NFL offensive coordinator, New York Jets
Julius Pruitt, played for NFL's Miami Dolphins
Theo Young, played one season with NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers and is a college football coach
Folklore animals
White River Monster
