Tontitown, Arkansas

Tontitown is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The community is located in the Ozark Mountains and was founded by Italian settlers in 1898. Known for its grapes and wines, Tontitown has hosted the Tontitown Grape Festival continuously since 1898. It is part of the Northwest Arkansas metropolitan area, serving as a bedroom community for larger neighbors Fayetteville and Springdale. The town experienced a 160% growth in population between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.[3]

Tontitown, Arkansas
Location of Tontitown in Washington County, Arkansas.
Coordinates: 36°10′45″N 94°14′48″W
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountyWashington
Settled1898
Incorporated (city)1909
Founded byPietro Bandini
Government
  TypeMayor/Council
  MayorPaul Colvin Jr.
  Police ChiefCorey Jenison
Area
  Total18.05 sq mi (46.74 km2)
  Land17.91 sq mi (46.39 km2)
  Water0.14 sq mi (0.36 km2)
Elevation
1,289 ft (393 m)
Population
 (2010)
  Total2,460
  Estimate 
(2018)[2]
4,003
  Density207.43/sq mi (80.09/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
72770
Area code(s)479
FIPS code05-69740
GNIS feature ID0073882
WebsiteTontitown.com

History

Led by Catholic priest Pietro Bandini, who eventually became mayor of the city,[4] Italian settlers working on Lakeport Plantation in the Arkansas delta moved to northwest Arkansas and found the climate and terrain similar to their native Northern Italy. Tontitown was settled in 1898 and named for Italian explorer Henri de Tonti.[5] It was incorporated as a city in 1909.[4]

Geography

Tontitown is located at 36°10′45″N 94°14′48″W (36.179043, -94.246572).[6]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.
1910222
19202355.9%
1930188−20.0%
19401890.5%
19502037.4%
19602093.0%
1970426103.8%
198061544.4%
1990460−25.2%
2000942104.8%
20102,460161.1%
Est. 20184,003[2]62.7%
Encyclopedia of Arkansas
History and Culture[3]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census the ethnic and racial composition of the population was 92.0% non-Hispanic white, 0.3% African-American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 2.4% reporting two or more races and 5.7% Hispanic.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 942 people in 351 households, including 273 families, in the city. The population density was 134.2 people per square mile (51.8/km²). There were 368 housing units at an average density of 52.4/sq mi (20.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.28% White, 1.70% Native American, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 2.23%.[7] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 351 households 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 18.5% of households were one person and 9.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.07. Tontitown has seen a very rapid growth in recent years as indicated by a 160% growth in population between the 2000 and 2010 censuses.

The age distribution was 27.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males. Tonitown is part of the Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers metro area.

The median household income was $43,750 and the median family income was $47,589. Males had a median income of $32,917 versus $25,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,058. About 4.9% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

See also

  • United States portal

References

  1. "2017 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Aug 22, 2018.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  3. Young, Susan (February 14, 2013). "Tontitown (Washington County)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  4. Giordano, Joe. "Italians in Arkansas: Father Pietro Bandini and Tontitown". joe-giordano.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  5. "Tontitown (Washington County) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. "Albert Lewis Fletcher (1896–1979) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
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