Mountain View, Arkansas

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Mountain View is the county seat and largest city in Stone County, Arkansas. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 2,998.^[1]. Mountain View most likely derives its name from its location at the foot of a series of small mountains that lie south of town. Prior to the founding of Mountain View, the town of Riggsville existed immediately to the east. The citizens of Riggsville effectively moved their town west and reorganized it as Mountain View in the late 1800s.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Economy
4 Education
5 Special Events
6 Notes
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Geography

Mountain View is located at 35°51′54″N, 92°6′31″W (35.864886, -92.108497)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.7 km² (6.8 mi²). 17.7 km² (6.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.15% is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,876 people, 1,287 households, and 792 families residing in the city. The population density was 162.8/km² (421.8/mi²). There were 1,450 housing units at an average density of 82.1/km² (212.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.97% White, 0.94% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,287 households out of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 81.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,302, and the median income for a family was $27,589. Males had a median income of $20,000 versus $16,790 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,375. About 10.2% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Economy

The local economy is largely tourism-based. Numerous hotels and restaurants exist to serve travelers who come to visit the nearby Blanchard Springs Caverns, in Fifty-Six, Arkansas, or The Ozark Folk Center State Park; many others seek the world-renowned trout fishing of the White River, or the excellent camping, hiking and mountain-biking that can be found in the Ozark National Forest. A few live music and variety shows, such as the White River Hoedown, also entertain travelers by mixing contemporary country, gospel and bluegrass music with a bit of local humor. However, the majority of visitors to Mountain View come to attend one of the two major festivals held here every year, mentioned below.

The remainder of the local economy consists mostly of agriculture, specifically the farming of livestock, primarily cattle and chickens. Industrial activities in the area are overall nonexistent, excepting a few small manufacturing companies.

[edit] Education

The city hosts a satellite campus of Ozarka College, a two-year institution headquartered in Melbourne, Arkansas. The city is also home to the main campus of the Mountain View School District, a secondary school that also maintains campuses in Timbo, Arkansas and Fox, Arkansas. The school district boundaries are the same as Stone County, Arkansas.

[edit] Special Events

Local festivals play an integral part in Mountain View's economy and culture, and the city is widely know throughout the country for its hospitality, uniqueness and relaxed pace of life. As such, thousands of people travel to Mountain View each year to attend one of these events, and get a taste of Ozark Mountain culture. Often lodging must be secured a year in advance of the two major festivals. Some estimates say that the city's population has grown to as much as 100,000 during past festivals.

In April, the city hosts the Ozark Folk Festival. A highlight of this festival is an old-fashioned "home-town" parade, which brings out school bands, patriotic veterans groups, show horses, and decorated floats. Numerous crafts and copious amounts of live folk music are also part of the celebration.

During the last weekend of October, thousands attend the Arkansas Bean Fest and Great Championship Outhouse Races. Early Saturday morning, nearly one ton of pinto beans are cooked in large, antique iron kettles that are set up along the west side of the courthouse square. Promptly at noon, an endless amount of free beans and cornbread are served to the crowd. The festival continues with the famous Outhouse Race. Teams from Arkansas and surrounding states push outhouses built on wheels (similar to a go-kart) in a series of races. The overall champion receives the coveted Golden Toilet Seat Trophy. Handmade crafts and folk music play an integral part in this festival as well.

Other local festivals included the Mountain View Bluegrass Festival, held in both mid-March and mid-November; An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July, held on July 3rd and 4th; and the Ozark Mountain Christmas, held throughout the month of December. The latter festival is especially notable because it features the town Christmas tree lighting and lighting of the downtown square, including the courthouse and other downtown buildings.