Rector is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,017 at the 2000 census.

Geography

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Rector is located at (36.263320, -90.293464).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.4 km² (1.3 mi²), all land.

Notable facts

*The hometown of second World War soldier and veteran Sgt. Denver "Bull" Randleman, (1920–June 26, 2003). Randleman was a member of the famed Band of Brothers Easy Company, 101st Airborne, and was depicted in the Stephen Speilberg-Tom Hanks mini series. He was once described by Major Richard Winters as "The best soldier I ever commanded".

History

Rector is named after former Governor Henry Massey Rector.

In 1881, the St. Louis and Texas Railroad laid out the town of Rector about two miles to the south of an existing settlement named Scatterville, and the population of Scatterville gradually migrated to the new and booming town.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,017 people, 915 households, and 570 families residing in the city. The population density was 599.1/km² (1,556.9/mi²). There were 1,045 housing units at an average density of 310.4/km² (806.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.26% White, 0.55% Native American, 0.20% Asian, and 0.99% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 915 households out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 24.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 83.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,051, and the median income for a family was $29,330. Males had a median income of $27,650 versus $19,293 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,931. About 17.9% of families and 23.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 31.6% of those age 65 or over.

Facts

*The Rector School District was known as Clay County Central from 1985 until 2000.

*The Rector Labor Day Picnic is held during Labor Day weekend each year, serving as a Homecoming for former and current residents. The weekend features a rodeo, a parade, beauty pagents, and is a popular political campaign stop.

Notable Persons

*Thomas Dale Alford - U.S. Representative (1959-1961)
*Maurice Copeland - Actor

External links

*Official City Website

*Clay County Democrat Newspaper

Category:Clay County, Arkansas
Category:Cities in Arkansas