Siloam Springs, Arkansas

{{Redirect|Siloam Springs}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Siloam Springs, Arkansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Siloam Springs collage.png
|image_caption            = Clockwise, from top: Gazebo in City Park, [[Siloam Springs Historic District|Main Street Siloam Springs]], fountain in Twin Springs Park, entrance to [[John Brown University]], [[Sager Creek Arts Center]], fountains in [[Sager Creek]]
|image_seal               = 
|image_map                = File:Benton County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Siloam Springs Highlighted 0564370.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Siloam Springs in Benton County, Arkansas.
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Arkansas|County]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_name1        = [[Arkansas]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Benton County, Arkansas|Benton]]
|government_type          = [[City Administrator]]
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Judy Nation
|established_title        = Incorporated
|established_date         = December 22, 1881
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 30.87
|area_total_sq_mi         = 11.92
|area_land_km2            = 30.43
|area_land_sq_mi          = 11.75
|area_water_km2           = 0.45
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.17
|elevation_ft             = 1132
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis />
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 17287
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_km2   = 568.18
|population_density_sq_mi = 1471.61
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|coordinates              = {{coord|36|11|0|N|94|32|22|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 72761
|area_code                = [[Area code 479|479]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 05-64370
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0078364<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|78364}}</ref>
|footnotes                = 
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.siloamsprings.com/|siloamsprings.com}}
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|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>
}}

'''Siloam Springs''' is a city in [[Benton County, Arkansas|Benton County]], [[Arkansas]], United States, and located on the western edge of the [[Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers metropolitan area|Northwest Arkansas metropolitan area]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 17,287. The community was founded in 1882 and was characterized by the purported healing powers of the spring water feeding [[Sager Creek]] and trading with nearby Native American tribes. The city shares a border on the Arkansas–[[Oklahoma]] state line with the city of [[West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma]], which is within the [[Cherokee Nation]] territory. It is home of [[John Brown University]].

==History==
[[File:Downtown Siloam Springs, AR 005.jpg|left|thumb|The historic downtown of Siloam Springs was first founded as a resort town surrounding the healing waters of the springs]]
[[Osage Nation|Osage Indians]] were the known first inhabitants of the area. Siloam Springs' first white settlers were of [[Germans|German]] and [[Scotch-Irish American|Scots-Irish]] origin. Simon Sager is considered the founder of the town, then known as Hico.<ref name="eoa" >{{ Cite encyclopedia |last= Warden |first= Don |title= Siloam Springs (Benton County) |url= http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=838 |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]] |publisher= [[Butler Center for Arkansas Studies]] at the [[Central Arkansas Library System]] |date= March 1, 2012 |access-date= August 16, 2013 }}</ref>

In 2012, the city was named one of the 20 best small towns in America by ''Smithsonian'' magazine<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/The-20-Best-Small-Towns-in-America.html?c=y&page=15&navigation=next#IMAGES|title=The 20 Best Small Towns in America of 2012}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Downtown Siloam Springs, AR 021.jpg|thumb|left|Sager Creek]]
The area is located in the Mid-South region of the country where the southern plains meet the [[Ozark Mountains]]. The city sits atop a [[plateau]] with many [[dogwood tree]]s growing across the landscape.

A perennial creek, named after the founder, [[Sager Creek]], flows through the downtown area.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|28.9|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|28.7|sqkm|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.2|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 0.71%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0564370| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212183428/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0564370| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Siloam Springs city, Arkansas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref>

===Metropolitan area===
The [[Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers Metropolitan Area]] consists of three [[List of Arkansas counties|Arkansas counties]]: [[Benton County, Arkansas|Benton]], [[Madison County, Arkansas|Madison]], and [[Washington County, Arkansas|Washington]], and [[McDonald County, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses |publisher= Executive office of the President [[Office of Management and Budget]] |date= December 1, 2009 |url = https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/bulletins/b10-02.pdf |page= 32 |access-date= January 13, 2013 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170121004722/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/bulletins/b10-02.pdf |archive-date= January 21, 2017 }}</ref> The area had a population of 347,045 at the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] which had increased to 463,204 by the [[2010 United States Census|2010 Census]] (an increase of 33.47 percent). Siloam Springs is at the extreme western edge of this area, connected to the principal cities by Highway 412.

===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, Siloam Springs has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=426630&cityname=Siloam+Springs,+Arkansas,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Siloam Springs, Arkansas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}</ref>

July is the hottest month of the year, with an average high of {{convert|89.1|°F|1}} and an average low of {{convert|68.6|°F|1}}. Temperatures above {{convert|100|°F|1}} are rare but not uncommon, occurring on average twice a year. January is the coldest month with an average high of {{convert|44.3|°F|1}} and an average low of {{convert|24.2|°F|1}}. Highs below {{convert|32|°F|1}} occur on average thirteen times a year, with 2.2 nights per year dropping below {{convert|0|°F|1}}. The city's highest temperature was {{convert|111|°F|1}}, recorded on July 14, 1954. The lowest temperature recorded was {{convert|-24|°F|1}}, on February 12, 1899.

Precipitation is weakly seasonal, with a bimodal pattern: wet seasons in the spring and fall, and relatively drier summers and winters, but some rain in all months.  The spring wet season is more pronounced than fall, with the highest rainfall in May.  This differs slightly from the climate in central Arkansas, where the fall wet season is more comparable to spring.

{{Weather box
| location    = Siloam Springs, Arkansas (1981–2010 normals)
| single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 77
| Feb record high F = 83
| Mar record high F = 90
| Apr record high F = 91
| May record high F = 92
| Jun record high F = 103
| Jul record high F = 111
| Aug record high F = 109
| Sep record high F = 102
| Oct record high F = 96
| Nov record high F = 83
| Dec record high F = 79
| year record high F = 111
| Jan high F = 45
| Feb high F = 51
| Mar high F = 59
| Apr high F = 69
| May high F = 76
| Jun high F = 84
| Jul high F = 89
| Aug high F = 89
| Sep high F = 81
| Oct high F = 71
| Nov high F = 57
| Dec high F = 48
| year high F = 
| Jan low F = 23
| Feb low F = 28
| Mar low F = 36
| Apr low F = 44
| May low F = 53
| Jun low F = 62
| Jul low F = 67
| Aug low F = 66
| Sep low F = 59
| Oct low F = 47
| Nov low F = 36
| Dec low F = 27
| year low F = 
| Jan record low F = −12
| Feb record low F = −14
| Mar record low F =  −7
| Apr record low F = 20
| May record low F = 30
| Jun record low F = 43
| Jul record low F = 46
| Aug record low F = 42
| Sep record low F = 31
| Oct record low F = 20
| Nov record low F =  5
| Dec record low F = −8
| year record low F = −14
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 2.27
| Feb precipitation inch = 2.20
| Mar precipitation inch = 4.32
| Apr precipitation inch = 4.31
| May precipitation inch = 5.20
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.84
| Jul precipitation inch = 3.54
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.35
| Sep precipitation inch = 5.05
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.68
| Nov precipitation inch = 4.82
| Dec precipitation inch = 3.42
| year precipitation inch = 
| Jan snow inch = 3.3
| Feb snow inch = 1.6
| Mar snow inch = 1.9
| Apr snow inch = 0
| May snow inch = 0
| Jun snow inch = 0
| Jul snow inch = 0
| Aug snow inch = 0
| Sep snow inch = 0
| Oct snow inch = 0.1
| Nov snow inch = 0.2
| Dec snow inch = 2.0
| year snow inch = 
| source 1   = The Weather Channel<ref name= Weather.com >{{cite web
| url        = https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/4cc7fd7850be99079f678df575ff467106254aab9686d49a9083f1a69085f048
| title      = Monthly Averages for Siloam Springs, AR
| access-date = September 27, 2021
| publisher  = [[The Weather Channel]]
| format     = Table}}</ref>
| date       = September 2021
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 95
|1890= 821
|1900= 1748
|1910= 2405
|1920= 2569
|1930= 2378
|1940= 2764
|1950= 3270
|1960= 3953
|1970= 6009
|1980= 7940
|1990= 8151
|2000= 10843
|2010= 15039
|2020= 17287
|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>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Siloam Springs racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0564370&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2022-01-01|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 10,175
| 58.86%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 184
| 1.06%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 737
| 4.26%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 345
| 2.0%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 32
| 0.19%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 1,477
| 8.54%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 4,337
| 25.09%
|}
As per the [[2020 United States census|2020 United States Census]], there were 17,287 people, 5,382 households, and 3,980 families residing in the city.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010, there were 15,039 people in 5,138 households with 93.3% of the population in households.  The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 76% non-Hispanic white, 0.8% black, 4.6% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.2% non-Hispanic reporting some other race, 5.0% from two or more races and 20.8% Hispanic or Latino.<ref>2010 general profile of population and housing characteristics for Siloam Springs from the US census</ref>

===2000 census===
At the 2000 census, there were 2,647 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|1,027.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 4,223 housing units at an average density of {{convert|400.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 85.22% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.49% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 4.29% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.83% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.67% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.42% from two or more races.  14.00% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 3,894 households, out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.11.

Income for a household in the city was $34,513, and the median income for a family was $41,153. Males had a median income of $27,339 versus $21,451 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,047.  About 9.5% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

{{As of|2009}}, there were 52 churches that called Siloam Springs home by address. There are reports that Siloam Springs has a record for most number churches per capita, and while the ratio is higher than average, it has never been verified through reliable documentation. (Despite the large number of churches, the town does contain a small atheist/non-religious community.)

Major employers in Siloam Springs include [[Simmons Foods]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://katv.com/news/local/simmons-foods-facility-creating-new-jobs-in-siloam-springs|title=Simmons Foods facility creating new jobs in Siloam Springs|last=Wilson|first=Kristen|work=KATV|access-date=2018-04-10|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Gates Corporation]], [[La-Z-Boy]], DaySpring (a subsidiary of [[Hallmark Cards]]), Cobb-Vantress, and [[John Brown University]].

==Arts and culture==
{{See also|Culture of Arkansas}}

===Annual cultural events===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Event
! Time of year
! Attendance (approx.)
|-
| Dogwood Festival
| April (last weekend)
| 30,000
|-
| Homegrown Festival
| October
| 3,000
|-
| Siloam Springs Rodeo
| June
| 10,000
|-
| Light Up Siloam Christmas Parade
| December (first Saturday)
| 6,500
|-
| City Fireworks Presentation
| July 4
| 6,000
|-
| Northwest Arkansas Marching Band Invitational
| October
| 2,500
|-
| [[John Brown University|JBU]] Candlelight Christmas Concerts
| December
| 3,000
|-
| JBU Homecoming
| October
| 1,000
|-
| Siloam Springs Music Games (Marching Band Competition)
| July
| 2,000
|-
|Siloam Springs Center for the Arts
|All year
|10,000 per year
|}

==Government==
Siloam Springs has a [[city administrator]] form of government. The government body consists of the mayor, board of directors and district judge. All positions are chosen by election. The other officials and commissioners are appointed with Board approval.

== Education ==
[[File:John Brown University Sign.jpg|thumb|John Brown University]]
In addition to John Brown University, public education is supported by the Siloam Springs School District consisting of:
* [[Siloam Springs High School]] (grades 9–12)
* Siloam Springs Middle School (grades 7–8)
* Siloam Springs Intermediate School (grades 5–6)
* Southside Elementary School (grades 3–4)
* Allen Elementary School (grades 1 & 2)
* Northside Elementary School (grades Pre-K & K)
* Siloam Springs Virtual Academy (grades K–12)

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
Siloam Springs traffic is primarily served by [[US 412]] for east–west travel, connecting the city to [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]], to the west via the [[Cherokee Turnpike]] and to [[Bentonville, Arkansas|Bentonville]], [[Fayetteville, Arkansas|Fayetteville]], and [[Springdale, Arkansas]], to the east. [[US 59]] runs south from West Siloam Springs to [[Stilwell, Oklahoma|Stilwell]] and [[Sallisaw, Oklahoma]], while [[Arkansas Highway 59|Arkansas&nbsp;59]] runs north to [[Gravette, Arkansas|Gravette]] and south to [[Van Buren, Arkansas|Van Buren]] and [[Fort Smith, Arkansas]]. Within the city, major routes include [[Arkansas Highway 43|Cheri Whitlock Drive]], [[Arkansas Highway 264|Lincoln Street]], Main Street, Mount Olive Street, and University Street.

[[Smith Field (Arkansas)|Smith Field]], located east of town, serves small business jets as well as double- and single-engine aircraft. It serves exclusively [[general aviation]] operations.

Commercial air transportation is available from [[Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport]], about {{convert|21|mi}} to the east-northeast.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Northwest+Arkansas+Regional+Airport+(XNA),+Airport+Boulevard,+Bentonville,+AR/Siloam+Springs,+AR/@36.2263144,-94.557101,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x87c90ea56cf37305:0x31da82a460426d40!2m2!1d-94.304294!2d36.2786587!1m5!1m1!1s0x87c9a0f8526269d9:0xe02f10f3854b3f2c!2m2!1d-94.5404962!2d36.1881365 |title=Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport to Siloam Springs|publisher=Google Maps|accessdate=May 12, 2021}}</ref>

===Utilities===
[[File:Siloam Springs WWTP 001.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sewage treatment#Primary treatment|Primary clarifier]] (foreground) and [[Aerated lagoon#Suspension mixed lagoons|aeration basins]] (background) at Siloam Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant]]
The city's primary water source is the [[Illinois River (Oklahoma)|Illinois River]], although some water is purchased from Benton - Washington Regional Public Water Authority, whose source is [[Beaver Lake (Arkansas)|Beaver Lake]].<ref>{{ cite web |publisher= Siloam Springs Water Department |year= 2012 |title= Annual Drinking Water Quality Report }}</ref> The water is treated with [[chlorine]], and the by-products of this chlorination process are kept compliant with the [[Arkansas Department of Health]] standards. [[Fluoride]] is added to supplement the naturally occurring amount present prior to treatment.

Wastewater is treated at the Siloam Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant (SSWWTP). Since effluent is discharged into a tributary of the Illinois, the plant's effluent is required to meet the treatment standards of both Arkansas and Oklahoma. The [[phosphorus]] load of the Illinois has been subject of controversy in the area, even reaching the [[United States Supreme Court]] in 1992. The [[Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) has classified the Illinois as Section 303(d) of the [[Clean Water Act]], listing it as an "impaired and threatened water" due to the high phosphorus loads.<ref>{{ cite web |title= Illinois River Watershed |date= May 22, 2013 |publisher= Environmental Protection Agency |url= http://www.epa.gov/region6/water/npdes/illinoisriverwatershed/ |access-date= July 21, 2013 }}</ref> As a result of the applicable strict phosphorus effluent regulations, SSWWTP upgraded its system in 2011. The upgrades also increased capacity 25% to 5.5 million gallons per day (MGD) (14,474 liters per hour).<ref>{{ cite web |title= Arkansas wastewater treatment plant pilots path to fledgling technology |first= Jon |last= Hetzel |date= February 2007 |url= http://www.apwa.net/Resources/Reporter/Articles/2007/2/Arkansas-wastewater-treatment-plant-pilots-path-to-fledgling-technology |publisher= APWA |access-date= July 20, 2013 }}</ref> Although presently a traditional [[Sewage treatment#Biological nutrient removal|biological nutrient removal]] (BNR) plant capable of meeting the interim phosphorus limit, pilot tests have proven a [[Sewage treatment#Biological nutrient removal|chemical nutrient removal]] (CNR) and [[Membrane bioreactor|membrane biological reactor]] combination to be effective well below the possible future permit limit. However, due to the high cost, these phases have been delayed. Currently, a 3-year study is being conducted to determine the background phosphorus level in the Illinois. The future effluent limits will likely be written following the conclusion of the study. An EPA [[total maximum daily load]] (TMDL) study in the watershed is also ongoing.<ref>{{ cite web |title= Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, Arkansas AG Sign Illinois River Agreement |date= February 20, 2013 |url= http://www.oag.state.ok.us/oagweb.nsf/srch/44A6921A1E42543E86257B180068307E?OpenDocument |publisher= State of Oklahoma Attorney General's Office |access-date= December 10, 2013 }}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Duncan Baird]], Republican politician from District 96 in Benton County, graduated from Siloam Springs High School
* [[Jonathan Barnett (politician)|Jonathan Barnett]], Republican politician from District 87 in Benton and [[Washington County, Arkansas|Washington]] counties
<!-- New links in alphabetical order, only people with an article -->
* [[Preston Bynum]], a lobbyist in [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], served as the state representative from Siloam Springs from 1969 to 1980
* [[The Folk Sampler#Host|Mike Flynn]], radio personality, hosts the [[NPR]] program ''[[The Folk Sampler]]''
* [[Alice Ghostley]], actress, spent a number of years in Siloam Springs as a youth
* [[Jim Winn]], [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher, went to John Brown University in Siloam Springs
* [[Jon Woods|Jonathan Earl Woods]], Republican politician, served as former member of both houses of the Arkansas General Assembly

==See also==
* {{Portal-inline|United States}}
* [[Arkansas Highway 99]], a former highway designation in Siloam Springs

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.siloamsprings.com/ City of Siloam Springs official website]

{{Benton County, Arkansas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Siloam Springs, Arkansas| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Benton County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Northwest Arkansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1882]]
[[Category:1882 establishments in Arkansas]]