Jonesboro, Arkansas

{{Short description|City in Northeast Arkansas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Jonesboro, Arkansas
|settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in Arkansas|City]]
|official_name            = City of Jonesboro
|image_skyline            = Jonesboro collage.png
|imagesize                = 275
|image_caption            = Clockwise from top: [[Craighead County Courthouse (Jonesboro, Arkansas)|Craighead County Courthouse]], a house in the [[West Washington Avenue Historic District]], downtown Jonesboro, and the Dean B. Ellis Library at [[Arkansas State University]]
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = Jonesboro, Arkansas seal.png
|motto                    = "People, Pride, Progress"
|image_map                = Craighead County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Jonesboro Highlighted 0535710.svg
|mapsize                  = 250
|map_caption              = Location of Jonesboro in Craighead County, Arkansas.
|pushpin_map              = Arkansas#USA
|pushpin_label            = Jonesboro
|pushpin_relief           = yes
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the [[United States]]
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Arkansas}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Arkansas|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Craighead County, Arkansas|Craighead]]
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = [[Harold Copenhaver]]
|area_total_sq_mi         = 80.73
|area_total_km2           = 209.09
|area_land_sq_mi          = 80.18
|area_land_km2            = 207.66
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.55
|area_water_km2           = 1.43
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 78576
|population_urban         = 
|population_metro         = 135,287
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CST]]
|utc_offset               = −06:00
|timezone_DST             = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
|utc_offset_DST           = −05:00
|coordinates              = {{coord|35|49|41|N|90|41|39|W|region:US-AR_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_m              = 79
|elevation_ft             = 259
|established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = February 19, 1859
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 72401-72405
|area_code                = [[Area code 870|870]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 05-35710
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0077389
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref>{{cite web | title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020−2022| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date=January 17, 2024| url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html}}</ref>
|population_est           = 79876
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_05.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|jonesboro.org}}
}}

'''Jonesboro''' is a city located on [[Crowley's Ridge]] in the northeastern corner of the U.S. State of [[Arkansas]].  Jonesboro is one of two county seats of [[Craighead County, Arkansas|Craighead County]]. In 2022, the city had an estimated population of 79,876,<ref>{{cite web | title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020−2022| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date=January 17, 2024| url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html}}</ref> making it the [[List of municipalities in Arkansas|fifth-most populous city in Arkansas]]. In 2020, the [[Jonesboro metropolitan area]] had a population of 134,196, and the [[Jonesboro-Paragould Combined Statistical Area]] had a population of 179,932.<ref name=PopEstCBSA>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html#v2022 |title=2020 Population and Housing State Data |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division |date=January 3, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629175327/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html#v2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Jonesboro is the home of [[Arkansas State University]] and is the cultural and economic center of Northeast Arkansas.

==History==
{{More citations needed section|date=January 2022}}
The Jonesboro area was first inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous peoples. At the time of European encounter, historic tribes included the [[Osage Nation|Osage]], the [[Caddo]], and the [[Quapaw]].<ref name=jbhistory>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jonesboro.org/History/History.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228124933/http://www.jonesboro.org/History/History.htm|title=History of Jonesboro|archive-date=December 28, 2007}}</ref> The name of the state of Arkansas comes from the Quapaw language.<ref name=jbhistory/> French and Spanish traders and trappers had relations with these groups.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

After the United States acquired this territory in the [[Louisiana Purchase]] of 1803, American settlers eventually made their way to the area where Jonesboro is located. They began exploring, hunting, trapping, and trading with the local Indian tribes. A permanent settlement of Jonesboro was set up shortly after 1859. When Craighead County was established.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

In 1859, land was taken from nearby [[Greene County, Arkansas|Greene]], [[Mississippi County, Arkansas|Mississippi]], and [[Poinsett County, Arkansas|Poinsett]] counties and was used to form Craighead County. Jonesboro was designated as the original county seat. As the population increased in the west of the county, [[Lake City, Arkansas|Lake City]] was named as the second seat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://genealogytrails.com/ark/craig/ |title=Craighead County Arkansas Genealogy Trails |publisher=Genealogytrails.com |date=2006-03-03 |access-date=2012-08-13}}</ref> Jonesboro had 150 residents in 1859. It was named after State Senator William A. Jones<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ |title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States |publisher=Govt. Print. Off. |author=Gannett, Henry |year=1905 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n169 170]}}</ref> in recognition of his support for the formation of Craighead County. Originally spelled ''Jonesborough'', the city name was later shortened to its present-day spelling.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

In 1881, a young woman was brutally murdered in an apparent robbery. Her father had left their farm for a short while and returned to find her in a pool of her own blood. Four black men were arrested in conjunction with the crime, and after their trial, The Jonesboro Lynching of 1881 took place at midnight on March 12. The ''Decatur Daily Republican'' reported that the four men, called Green Harris (sometimes referred to as Hawes), Giles Peck, John Woods (sometimes referred to as Jud Woods), and Burt Hoskins (sometimes referred to as Haskins)—had been arrested and tried before magistrates Jackson and Akers at New Haven Church, eight miles north of Jonesboro. The hearing, which found that the men were guilty, was attended by several hundred people. According to this and several other reports, the accused made a complete confession. The magistrates bound them over to the grand jury, and they were ordered taken to the jail in Jonesboro. The hour being late, however, it was decided to hold them overnight in the church under a strong guard. The large crowd gradually dispersed, "muttering threats of vengeance." Around midnight, between 200 and 300 masked men surrounded the church, overpowered the guards, and broke in the doors and windows. They seized the accused, dragged them to a tree about 200 yards away, and hanged them. Once again, the crowd dispersed, "leaving the bodies of their victims dangling in the air and presenting a horrible spectacle in the moonlight." According to the ''Republican'', "The crime and punishment form one of the blackest pages in the annals of the state."<ref>"[http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=7673 "Jonesboro Lynching of 1881"]. Encyclopedia of Arkansas</ref>

[[File:Jonesboro AR historic Bell House 303 Cherry St.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Bell House (Jonesboro, Arkansas)|Bell House]] is one of twelve Jonesboro sites listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Craighead County, Arkansas|National Register of Historic Places]].]]
During the late 19th century, the city tried to develop its court system and downtown infrastructure. Shortly after the city was named county seat, the highest point in Jonesboro was identified and a courthouse was planned for construction. This was delayed for several years, for the locals did not want to ruin their deer hunting. The first courthouse was finally completed but was destroyed by a fire in 1869. A store across from this site was rented and used as a courthouse. It was destroyed in an 1876 fire. Another building was constructed on the same site, but it fell to a fire in 1878, a major one that destroyed most of downtown Jonesboro. Soon afterward, another courthouse was constructed; it was replaced by [[Craighead County Courthouse (Jonesboro, Arkansas)|the present courthouse]] in 1934.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

The [[St. Louis Southwestern Railway]], known as the Cotton Belt Railroad was constructed through Jonesboro, with its tracks passing just north of the center of the city. During the first train's journey, it became stuck and supplies had to be carried into town.<ref name=jbhistory/> It connected St. Louis to points in Arkansas and Texas. Other major railways began to construct tracks to and from Jonesboro, including the [[St. Louis–San Francisco Railway]] and [[Missouri Pacific Railroad]]. Some of the rail companies still own and use the tracks that run through Jonesboro.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

The city set up the [[Jonesboro School District]] in 1899.<ref name=jpss>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jps.k12.ar.us/|title=Jonesboro Public School System|access-date=December 12, 2007|archive-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828133649/http://www.jps.k12.ar.us/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1900, St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center was established by the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters.<ref name=sbrmc>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stbernards.info/html_history_facts/|title=St. Bernard's Medical Center: History & Facts|access-date=2007-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114041250/http://www.stbernards.info/html_history_facts/|archive-date=2017-11-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Grand Leader Department Store, the first department store in the city, was opened in 1900. Woodland College and two schools within the Jonesboro School District were opened in 1904. Arkansas State College (now Arkansas State University) was established in 1909,<ref name=asu>{{Cite web|url=http://asunews.astate.edu/about.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112030259/http://asunews.astate.edu/about.htm|title=About Arkansas State University|archive-date=January 12, 2008|website=asunews.astate.edu}}</ref> a year in which the first [[horseless carriage]]s were driven in the city. There is a recording on a Sanborn Fire Insurance Map dating back to March 1897 of a Presbyterian Church existing at the corner of Church St. and Monroe, and a Christian church located at the corner of Union and Huntington Ave. Other early churches of the city were started in the 1910s. First Baptist Church was founded in 1911, and First Methodist Church in 1916.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

[[Lynching of Wade Thomas|Wade Thomas was lynched]] on December 26, 1920, in downtown Jonesboro. A large white mob seized Thomas after he allegedly shot local Patrolman Elmer Ragland during a Christmas Day raid on a local dice game. He was paraded through the town and then hanged and his body riddled with bullets.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lancaster |first=Guy |date=February 1, 2019 |url=https://arktimes.com/history/2019/02/01/the-unbearable-whiteness-of-being |title=The unbearable whiteness of being - What's lost when we consider the history of racial violence from a white perspective |publisher=Arkansas Times |access-date=December 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=1920 |title=Arkansas Mob Hangs Slayer of Policeman |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1920-12-27/ed-1/seq-3/# |newspaper=New-York Tribune |location=New York City |issn=1941-0646 |oclc=9405688 |page=3 |access-date=December 28, 2020}}</ref>

On September 10, 1931, Governor [[Harvey Parnell]] authorized the [[Arkansas National Guard]] to be deployed in Jonesboro to quell the [[Church War of Jonesboro|Church War]], a clash between the followers of Joe Jeffers and Dow H. Heard, the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. Jeffers' supporters also attacked the mayor and police chief, resulting in front-page coverage of the incident in ''[[The New York Times]]''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

On [[Tornado outbreak of May 1968|May 15, 1968]] an F4 tornado struck Jonesboro, destroying 164 homes.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Grazulis |first1=Thomas P. |title=Significant tornadoes, 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events |date=1993 |publisher=Environmental Films |location=St. Johnsbury, Vermont |isbn=1-879362-03-1 |page=1099}}</ref> At least 34 people died and more than 350 people were injured as a result of the tornado which struck the town without warning at 10:00pm that night.

On May 27, 1973, shortly after midnight, an F4 tornado struck Jonesboro, killing 3 and injuring 289.<ref name="1973data">{{cite web|title=Storm Prediction Center WCM Page: Severe Weather Database Files (1950-2014)|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/#data|website=Storm Prediction Center|publisher=Storm Prediction Center|access-date=26 February 2016|date=17 March 2015}}</ref>  Damage was estimated at 60 million in 1973 dollars.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://memphismagazine.com/ask-vance/remembering-the-1973-jonesboro-arkansas-tornado/ | title=Remembering the 1973 Jonesboro, Arkansas, Tornado | date=May 26, 2013 }}</ref>

The [[1998 Westside Middle School shooting]] occurred on March 24. Two young boys (aged 11 and 13 years) fired upon students at Westside Middle School while hidden in woodlands near the school. They killed four students and one teacher, and injured 10 persons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/03/23/596103091/20-years-later-jonesboro-shooting-survivors-conflicted-over-parkland |title=20 Years Later, Jonesboro Shooting Survivors Conflicted Over Parkland|website=NPR|date=23 March 2018|access-date=1 January 2019|last1=Goodwyn|first1=Wade}}</ref>

In the 2007–2008 school year the Jonesboro Public School District elementary schools were reclassified as [[magnet school]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=6815261|title=KAIT - Jonesboro, AR: Teachers get Ready for Magnet Schools<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=2008-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093232/http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=6815261|archive-date=2017-11-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2020 tornado===
A "large, destructive"<ref name=":1" /> EF3 tornado struck Jonesboro on March 28, 2020, causing severe damage to [[The Mall at Turtle Creek]] and at least twenty minor injuries, and two severe injuries.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/03/28/jonesboro-arkansas-tornado/ |title = Large, destructive tornado strikes Jonesboro, Ark., leaving behind 'severe' damage|newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

==Geography==
Jonesboro is located at {{coord|35|49|41|N|90|41|39|W|type:city}} (35.828067, -90.694048)<ref name="GR1">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2011-04-23 |date=2011-02-12 |title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990 }}</ref> atop [[Crowley's Ridge]] in northeastern Arkansas.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|208.4|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|206.9|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|1.5|km2|order=flip}}, or 0.72%, is water.<ref name="Census 2013">{{cite web|title=QuickFacts Jonesboro city, Arkansas|url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/jonesboro-ar-population|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212183433/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0535710|archive-date=2020-02-12|access-date=|website=US CENSUS|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder}}</ref>

===Climate===
Jonesboro has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'').{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

{{Weather box
| single line = Y
| location = Jonesboro 2 NE, AR (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
| Jan record high F = 82
| Feb record high F = 83
| Mar record high F = 95
| Apr record high F = 96
| May record high F = 101
| Jun record high F = 110
| Jul record high F = 116
| Aug record high F = 111
| Sep record high F = 110
| Oct record high F = 98
| Nov record high F = 88
| Dec record high F = 79
| year record high F = 116
| Jan avg record high F = 66.7
| Feb avg record high F = 71.1
| Mar avg record high F = 78.4
| Apr avg record high F = 84.7
| May avg record high F = 90.1
| Jun avg record high F = 95.6
| Jul avg record high F = 97.7
| Aug avg record high F = 97.8
| Sep avg record high F = 94.0
| Oct avg record high F = 87.5
| Nov avg record high F = 77.4
| Dec avg record high F = 68.4
| year avg record high F = 99.5
| Jan high F = 45.6
| Feb high F = 50.5
| Mar high F = 60.0
| Apr high F = 70.7
| May high F = 79.2
| Jun high F = 87.2
| Jul high F = 89.7
| Aug high F = 89.0
| Sep high F = 83.0
| Oct high F = 72.4
| Nov high F = 58.8
| Dec high F = 48.6
| year high F = 69.6
| Jan mean F = 36.1
| Feb mean F = 40.4
| Mar mean F = 49.0
| Apr mean F = 59.2
| May mean F = 68.2
| Jun mean F = 76.6
| Jul mean F = 79.7
| Aug mean F = 78.5
| Sep mean F = 71.5
| Oct mean F = 60.3
| Nov mean F = 48.0
| Dec mean F = 39.3
| year mean F = 58.9
| Jan low F = 26.7
| Feb low F = 30.2
| Mar low F = 38.0
| Apr low F = 47.7
| May low F = 57.2
| Jun low F = 66.1
| Jul low F = 69.6
| Aug low F = 68.0
| Sep low F = 60.0
| Oct low F = 48.1
| Nov low F = 37.2
| Dec low F = 30.1
| year low F = 48.2
| Jan avg record low F = 10.9
| Feb avg record low F = 15.7
| Mar avg record low F = 22.0
| Apr avg record low F = 33.2
| May avg record low F = 44.1
| Jun avg record low F = 56.0
| Jul avg record low F = 61.8
| Aug avg record low F = 59.1
| Sep avg record low F = 46.9
| Oct avg record low F = 33.7
| Nov avg record low F = 23.1
| Dec avg record low F = 16.1
| year avg record low F = 8.4
| Jan record low F = -18
| Feb record low F = -13
| Mar record low F = 1
| Apr record low F = 26
| May record low F = 32
| Jun record low F = 41
| Jul record low F = 50
| Aug record low F = 45
| Sep record low F = 33
| Oct record low F = 21
| Nov record low F = 9
| Dec record low F = -7
| year record low F = -18
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 3.90
| Feb precipitation inch = 4.11
| Mar precipitation inch = 5.23
| Apr precipitation inch = 5.36
| May precipitation inch = 5.73
| Jun precipitation inch = 3.35
| Jul precipitation inch = 3.61
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.69
| Sep precipitation inch = 3.50
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.97
| Nov precipitation inch = 4.89
| Dec precipitation inch = 4.68
| year precipitation inch = 52.02
| Jan snow inch = 1.0
| Feb snow inch = 1.2
| Mar snow inch = 1.2
| Apr snow inch = 0.0
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 0.1
| Dec snow inch = 0.4
| year snow inch = 3.9
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 9.1
| Feb precipitation days = 8.6
| Mar precipitation days = 10.2
| Apr precipitation days = 9.4
| May precipitation days = 10.1
| Jun precipitation days = 7.3
| Jul precipitation days = 7.8
| Aug precipitation days = 7.2
| Sep precipitation days = 6.6
| Oct precipitation days = 8.3
| Nov precipitation days = 9.2
| Dec precipitation days = 9.6
| year precipitation days = 103.4
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 0.7
| Feb snow days = 0.8
| Mar snow days = 0.3
| Apr snow days = 0.0
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.1
| Dec snow days = 0.3
| year snow days = 2.2
| source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name="NOAA">
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=meg
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00033734&format=pdf
| title = Station: Jonesboro 2 NE, AR
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 21, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 2065
|1900= 4508
|1910= 7123
|1920= 9384
|1930= 10326
|1940= 11729
|1950= 16310
|1960= 21418
|1970= 27050
|1980= 31530
|1990= 46534
|2000= 55515
|2010= 67263
|2020= 78576
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}

It is the principal city of the Jonesboro, Arkansas [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Jonesboro racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0535710&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-30|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 54,905
| 70.94%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 16,172
| 20.90%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 205
| 0.26%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 1,403
| 1.81%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 7
| 0.01%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 4,700
| 6.07%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 5,716
| 7.27%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 78,576 people, 29,688 households, and 19,637 families residing in the city.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

===2013===
As of the [[census]] of 2013, there were 71,551 people, 26,111 households, and 16,637 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|697.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 28,321 housing units at an average density of {{convert|304.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 74.7% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 18.4% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]], 0.4% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.0% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.0% from two or more races. 5.2% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]].<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=2008-01-31 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

There were 26,111 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. There are 878 unmarried partner households: 776 heterosexual, 50 same-sex male, and 52 same-sex female households. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.93.<ref name="GR2" />

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 16.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.<ref name="GR2" />

The median income for a household in the city was $32,196, and the median income for a family was $42,082. Males had a median income of $21,633 versus $31,633 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,884. About 12.9% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="GR2" />

==Economy==
[[File:Mall at Turtle Creek Entrance.jpg|thumb|right|The Mall at Turtle Creek entrance]]
[[The Mall at Turtle Creek]], opened in 2006, was the largest mall in northeast Arkansas and was the only enclosed mall constructed in the country that year.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Mall at Turtle Creek to hold grand opening March 28-April 8 - Memphis Business Journal |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2006/03/27/newscolumn1.html |website=Memphis Business Journal |access-date=2016-02-24}}</ref> The mall closed in 2020 due to tornado damage; currently, the only stores in operation at Turtle Creek are [[Dillard's]], [[JCPenney]], and [[Target Corporation|Target]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2020-09-04 |title=Barnes & Noble to not reopen, will seek alternative locations if economic conditions improve |url=https://www.kait8.com/2020/09/04/barnes-noble-closing-its-store-jonesboro/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=KAIT8}}</ref> Before The Mall at Turtle Creek opened, [[Indian Mall]], named for the former mascot of [[Arkansas State University]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waldon |first=George |date=November 3, 2003 |title=Developers vie for new mall in Jonesboro. |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Developers+vie+for+new+mall+in+Jonesboro.-a0110474561 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Arkansas Business}}</ref> was the primary shopping destination in northeast Arkansas. The Indian Mall was demolished in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2012 |title=The walls of Indian Mall will soon come down |url=https://www.kait8.com/story/16537468/the-walls-of-indian-mall-will-soon-come-down |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=KAIT8 |language=en}}</ref>



==Arts and culture==
===Points of interest===
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2022}}
Craighead Forest Park is a city-owned park located on [[Crowley's Ridge]] featuring a 60-acre fishing lake, camping facilities, hiking/biking trails, nature areas, picnic sites and recreational fields.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.jonesboro.org/facilities/facility/details/Craighead-Forest-Park-19 | title=Craighead Forest Park }}</ref>

[[Crowley's Ridge Parkway]] runs through Jonesboro. It was designated one of Arkansas' Scenic Byways in 1997, and it was designated Arkansas' first National Scenic Byway in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crowley's Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway {{!}} Jonesboro, AR {{!}} Arkansas.com |url=http://www.arkansas.com/jonesboro/tours-experiences/crowleys-ridge-parkway-national-scenic-byway |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=www.arkansas.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2004 the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission opened the 160-acre Forrest L. Wood [[Crowley's Ridge Nature Center]] in south Jonesboro, adjacent to Craighead Forest Park. The center includes exhibits on the origins and history of the Ridge, wildlife, educational models and displays, land and water features, hiking trails, an observation tower and an auditorium.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.agfc.com/en/explore-outdoors/nature-centers/flwcrnc/ | title=Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center }}</ref>

Located on the ASU campus, the [[Arkansas State University]] Museum is accredited by the [[American Association of Museums]] and features 21,000 square feet of historic, archaeological, and natural history exhibits. The museum focuses on the history and cultural heritage of Northeast Arkansas and the Mississippi River Delta region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=University |first=Arkansas State |title=A-State |url=https://www.astate.edu/ |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=www.astate.edu |language=en}}</ref>

==Education==

===Higher education===
[[Arkansas State University]] is located in Jonesboro. [[New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine]] maintains a second location on Arkansas State University's campus in Wilson Hall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nyit.edu/arkansas |title=Jonesboro, Arkansas |website=New York Institute of Technology |access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref>

The Northeast Arkansas Career & Tech Center is also located in Jonesboro.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://neactc.ss7.sharpschool.com/Home|title=Home|website=neactc.ss7.sharpschool.com}}</ref>

===Elementary and secondary education===
[[File:Dean B. Ellis Library, Arkansas State University (3 September 2005).jpg|thumb|The Dean B. Ellis Library at [[Arkansas State University]]'s main campus]]
There are six public school districts operating within the city limits of Jonesboro:<ref name=Craigheadcoschoolmap>{{cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st05_ar/c05031_craighead/DC10SD_C05031_001.pdf |title=SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Craighead County, AR |publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]] |access-date=2018-06-04}}</ref>
* [[Jonesboro School District]]
* [[Valley View School District (Arkansas)|Valley View School District]]
* [[Nettleton School District (Arkansas)|Nettleton School District]]
* [[Westside Consolidated School District]]
* [[Bay School District]]
* [[Brookland School District]]

Prior to [[School integration in the United States]], a separate set of schools was maintained for White and Black children. [[Booker T. Washington High School (Jonesboro, Arkansas)|Booker T. Washington High School]] provided education for Black children from surrounding areas under contract at until the schools were finally integrated.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Encyclopedia of Arkansas|url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/booker-t-washington-high-school-11951/|access-date=2022-02-09|website=Encyclopedia of Arkansas|language=en-US}}</ref> Jonesboro was a leader in educating African-American Children.{{who|date=March 2023}}{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

==Media==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Television
!Call Sign
!Channel
!Network(s)
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[KAIT]]
|8.1
|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
|-
|8.2
|[[NBC]]
|-
|8.3
|[[The CW Plus|CW+]]
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[Arkansas Educational Television Network|KTEJ]]
|19.1
|[[PBS]]
|-
|19.2
|[[Create (TV network)|Create]]
|-
|19.3
|[[PBS Kids]]
|-
|19.4
|[[World (TV channel)|World]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[KJNB-LD|KJNB-LD/KJNE-LD]]
|39.1/42.1
|[[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]]
|-
|39.2/42.2
|[[CBS]]
|-
|39.3/42.3
|[[MeTV]]/[[MyNetworkTV]]
|-
|[[Victory Television Network|KVTJ]]
|48.1
|Religious
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+FM Radio
!Call Sign
!Frequency
!Format
!Branding
|-
|[[KASU]]
|91.9
|[[Public Radio]]
|91.9 KASU
|-
|K224DW ([[KDXY]]-HD3)
|92.7
|[[Soft AC]]
|EZ 92.7 FM
|-
|K237FI ([[KNEA]])
|95.3
|[[Sports Radio|Sports]]
|95.3 The Ticket
|-
|K253BQ ([[KJBX]]-HD2)
|98.5
|[[Classic Country]]
|98.5 The Outlaw
|-
|[[KEGI]]
|100.5
|[[Classic Rock]]
|100.5 The Eagle Rocks
|-
|K267AS ([[KBTM]])
|101.3
|[[News/Talk]]
|News Talk 101.3 KBTM
|-
|[[KIYS]]
|101.7
|[[Contemporary Hit Radio|Top 40 (CHR)]]
|101.7 KISS-FM
|-
|KLEK-LP
|102.5
|[[Community Radio|Community]]
|102.5 KLEK
|-
|[[KFLO-LP]]
|102.9
|[[Adult Hits]]
|KFLO 102.9FM
|-
|[[KDXY]]
|104.9
|[[Country music|Country]]
|104.9 The Fox
|-
|[[KJBX]]
|106.3
|[[Hot AC]]
|Mix 106.3
|-
|K298AV ([[KDXY]]-HD2)
|107.5
|[[Rhythmic Contemporary|Rhythmic Top 40 (CHR)]]
|107.5 The Party Station
|-
|[[KFIN]]
|107.9
|[[Country music|Country]]
|The BIG 107.9 KFIN
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+AM Radio
!Call Sign
!Frequency
!Format
!Branding
|-
|[[KNEA]]
|970
|[[Sports Radio|Sports]]
|95.3 The Ticket
|-
|[[KBTM]]
|1230
|[[News/Talk]]
|News Talk 101.3 KBTM
|}

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
====Air service====
The region is served by the [[Jonesboro Municipal Airport]].

====Public transport====
The city is served by the [[Jonesboro Economical Transit|Jonesboro Economic Transit System (JETS)]]. As of 2011, JETS operates three fixed routes, as well as para-transit service for disabled persons.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} Intercity bus service to the city is provided by [[Greyhound Lines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greyhound.com/bus-routes|title=Bus Routes|access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref>

====List of highways====
{|
|----- valign="top"
|
*[[File:I-555 (AR 1961).svg|25px]] [[Interstate 555]]
*{{Jct|state=AR|US|49}}
*{{Jct|state=AR|US|63}}
*[[Image:Arkansas 1.svg|20px]] [[Highway 1 (Arkansas)|Highway 1]]
*[[Image:Arkansas 1B.svg|20px]] [[Arkansas Highway 1B (Jonesboro)|Highway 1B]]
*[[Image:Arkansas 18.svg|20px]] [[Highway 18 (Arkansas)|Highway 18]]
*[[Image:Arkansas 18S.svg|25px]] [[Arkansas Highway 18S (Jonesboro)|Highway 18S]]
|
*[[Image:Arkansas 91.svg|20px]] [[Highway 91 (Arkansas)|Highway 91]]
*[[Image:Arkansas 141.svg|25px]] [[Highway 141 (Arkansas)|Highway 141]]
*[[Image:Arkansas 226.svg|25px]] [[Highway 226 (Arkansas)|Highway 226]]
*[[Image:Arkansas 351.svg|25px]] [[Highway 351 (Arkansas)|Highway 351]]
*[[Image:Arkansas 463.svg|25px]] [[Highway 463 (Arkansas)|Highway 463]]
*[[Image:Arkansas 877.svg|25px]] [[List of Arkansas state highways serving universities and colleges|Highway 877]]
|}

==Notable people==
{{columns-list|colwidth=width|
*[[Al Bramlet]], former labor union leader
*[[Austin Cook]], professional golfer
*[[Ben Murphy]], actor, known for role in ''[[Alias Smith and Jones]]''
*[[Billy Lee Riley]], rockabilly musician, best known for "Flyin' Saucers Rock 'n' Roll" and "Red Hot"
*[[Blake Anderson (American football)|Blake Anderson]], football coach
*[[Wes Bentley]], actor
*[[Bobby Lee Trammell]], rockabilly musician
*[[Brandt Smith]], member of the [[Arkansas House of Representatives]]
*[[Charley Thornton]], college sports administrator
*[[Dan Sullivan (Arkansas politician)|Dan A. Sullivan]], member of Arkansas House of Representatives since 2015
*[[David Auburn]], playwright and screenwriter, best known for ''[[Proof (play)|Proof]]''
*[[David Ring]], Christian evangelist and motivational speaker
*[[Debbye Turner]], winner of [[Miss America 1990]]
*[[Dustin McDaniel]], former Arkansas attorney general
*[[Dwight Tosh]], member of Arkansas House of Representatives since 2015
*[[Earl Bell]], pole vaulter and Olympian
*[[Evan Lindquist]], first Artist Laureate of Arkansas
*[[Ferd Dreher]], football player
*[[Francis Cherry (governor)|Francis Cherry]], former Arkansas governor (1953–1955)
*[[Frederick C. Turner, Jr.]], one of the first Black students and first Black faculty member at [[Arkansas State University|ASU]]; U.S. Army officer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.astate.edu/a/military-science/hall-of-heroes/turner-frederick/index.dot|title = Frederick C. Turner, Jr}}</ref>
*[[Gene Bradley]], former quarterback for the [[New Jersey Generals]]
*[[Harold Copenhaver]], current mayor of Jonesboro
*[[Hattie Wyatt Caraway]], first woman elected to the [[U.S. Senate]]
*[[Jeff Hartwig]], pole vaulter
*[[Jeremy Sivits]], former U.S. Army soldier discharged after connections to  [[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse]]
*[[John Grisham]], novelist
*[[John Wesley Snyder (US Cabinet Secretary)|John W. Snyder]], U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under [[President Harry S. Truman]]
*[[Jon Olsen]], Olympic gold medalist swimmer
*[[Julia Butterfly Hill]], environmental activist
*[[Kyle Dean Massey]], Broadway actor
*[[Larry Lacewell]], former director of scouting for [[Dallas Cowboys]]; adoptive father of Super Bowl champion [[Barry Switzer]]'s children 
*[[Malik Monk]], basketball player
*[[Matt Cavenaugh]], Broadway actor
*[[Michelle Gray (politician)|Michelle Gray]], state representative since 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/150249/michelle-gray#.VSrsrcstEqR |title=Michelle Gray's Biography |publisher=[[Project Vote Smart]] |access-date=April 12, 2015}}</ref>
*[[Paul Caraway]], son of [[Hattie Caraway]]; high commissioner of [[United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands|U.S. Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands]]
*[[Rick Crawford (politician)|Rick Crawford]], U.S. Congressman
*[[Rodger Bumpass]], voice of [[Squidward Tentacles|Squidward]] on ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]''
*[[W. Stephen Smith]], voice teacher, author, and [[Northwestern University]] professor
*[[Wes Bentley]], Actor, born in Jonesboro
*[[Zach Williams (musician)|Zach Williams]], Christian rock artist}}

==See also==
<!-- EDITORS NOTE: This section should primarily contain lists linked to the main article which are directly related to the settlement. Thank you. -->
* [[List of cities and towns in Arkansas]]
* [[List of municipalities in Arkansas]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Craighead County, Arkansas]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite encyclopedia |title=Jonesboro (Craighead County) |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Arkansas]] |date=July 14, 2021 |last=Hendricks |first=Nancy |publisher=[[Central Arkansas Library System|CALS]] |location=Little Rock, Ark. |id=jonesboro-862 |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/jonesboro-862/ |access-date=September 14, 2021}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Spiva|first=Dave|date=August 2021|title=Arkansas Post Distributes $200,000 in Federal Grants to Veterans in Need|magazine=VFW Magazine|volume=108|number=10|location=Kansas City, Mo.|publisher=[[Veterans of Foreign Wars|Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States]]|pages=36–37|issn=0161-8598|quote=The state of Arkansas granted federal pandemic-relief funds to a VFW Post in northern Arkansas. The Post Commander says all funds have gone to veterans and families in need.}}

==External links==
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* {{official website}}
* {{osmrelation-inline}}
* {{Ballotpedia|Jonesboro,_Arkansas|Jonesboro, Arkansas}}
* {{Internet Archive author|name=Jonesboro, Arkansas}}
<!-- EDITORS NOTE: Please follow the [[WP:EL]] guideline where possible and consider discussing on the talk page. Thank you. -->

{{Jonesboro, Arkansas}}
{{Craighead County, Arkansas}}
{{Arkansas county seats}}

{{Subject bar|Arkansas|Geography|United States|auto=1|wikt=Jonesboro}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Jonesboro, Arkansas| ]]
[[Category:1859 establishments in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Craighead County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:County seats in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Jonesboro metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1859]]
[[Category:Sundown towns in Arkansas]]