Arkansas Migration and Population.

Introduction

This paper examines trends in migration and population change within the state of Arkansas. Using data from the U.S. Census for the years 1990-2000, statistical tables are constructed that provide insight into the relationship between patterns of migration and changing demography across the state.

Like many of the southern states, Arkansas has experienced a rapid influx of migrants from Latin America and (to a lesser extent) Asia during the past decade. As Table 1 demonstrates, Arkansas has had the fastest growing Hispanic population in the country. This increase is due largely to the rapid influx of Mexicans and Central Americans into the state during the 1990s. Nevertheless, as Table 1 shows, Hispanic population, and non-white population in general, still accounts for a relatively small percentage of total population in the state.

Population

Between 1990 and 2000 the population of Arkansas grew at annual rate of 1.3%, or 13.7% for the period (compared to 1.3% and 14.1% for the U.S.). In 1990, the population of the state was at 2,350,624. By 2000, that number had risen to 2,673,400. During the period, 20 counties lost population totaling 21,578 people while 55 counties gained a combined total of 344,354 people.

Population growth varies across regions of the state. The southern part of the state experienced the lowest population growth (see Table 2 and Figure 1). Counties in Southeast and Southwest Arkansas (see Figure 2 for counties comprising the regions) gained a total of 15,776 people between 1990 and 2000. The northern part of the state, on the other hand, experienced significant population growth. Population in the northwest region increased by 127,893 people between 1990 and 2000 or 3.3% annually. Of this region, Benton and Washington counties (Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)) experienced the greatest increase in population, 4% annually, accounting for approximately one-third of the increase in the state's population. The rate of population growth in Northwest Arkansas is more than triple the national average. On the county level, the six counties that experienced the greatest losses were: Mississippi (-5,546), Phillips (-2,385), Ouachita (-1,784), Chicot (-1,596), Desha (-1, 457), and Jefferson (-1,209). These counties together accounted for 65% of the state's population loss. The six counties that had the largest increases in population are the northwest counties of Benton (55,876) and Washington (44,306), and the central counties of Faulkner (26,008), Saline (19,346), Sebastian (15,481), and Garland (14,671). Together, these counties accounted for over half of the state's population growth. With the exception of Garland, all of these counties are located in MSAs.

In short, population loss has occurred in the southern regions while growth remains concentrated in the northwest and central parts of the state. Beyond this basic information, however, the statistics are less helpful. Important research remains to be done around basic questions such as: Who, Where and Why?