Rector, Arkansas

Rector is a city in southeastern Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,977 at the 2010 census.^[3]

Rector, Arkansas
City
Main Street (AR 90)
Location of Rector in Clay County, Arkansas.
Coordinates: 36°15′51″N 90°17′37″W
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Clay
Area [1]
• Total	1.36 sq mi (3.53 km2)
• Land	1.36 sq mi (3.53 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	292 ft (89 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,862
• Estimate  (2024)	1,791
• Density	1,366.10/sq mi (527.58/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	72461
Area code	870
FIPS code	05-58490
GNIS feature ID	2404599[2]
Website	www.rectorarkansas.com

History

Rector is named after Governor Henry Massey Rector (1816–1899).^[4]

In 1881 the Texas and St. Louis Railroad laid out the town of Rector about 2 miles (3 km) to the south of an existing settlement named Scatterville, and the population of Scatterville gradually migrated to the new town.^[5]

Geography

Rector is located in southern Clay County along the southeastern edge of Crowley's Ridge. U.S. Route 49 passes through the city, leading northeast 13 miles (21 km) to Piggott and southwest 7 miles (11 km) to Marmaduke. In the southern part of the city, Arkansas Highway 90 (Main Street) intersects US 49.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Rector has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.5 km²), all land.^[3]

Though a small portion of the town and surrounding area lies along Crowley’s Ridge, the majority of the town and surrounding land is flat and well-suited to farming.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	525		—
1900	520		−1.0%
1910	1,859		257.5%
1920	1,801		−3.1%
1930	1,617		−10.2%
1940	1,736		7.4%
1950	1,855		6.9%
1960	1,757		−5.3%
1970	1,990		13.3%
1980	2,336		17.4%
1990	2,268		−2.9%
2000	2,017		−11.1%
2010	1,977		−2.0%
2020	1,862		−5.8%
2024 (est.)	1,791		−3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

2020 census

Rector racial composition^[7]

Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	1,693	90.92%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	12	0.64%
Native American	11	0.59%
Asian	1	0.05%
Pacific Islander	3	0.16%
Other/Mixed	81	4.35%
Hispanic or Latino	61	3.28%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,862 people, 805 households, and 460 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census^[8] of 2000, 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 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.

Annual cultural events

The Rector Labor Day Picnic features a rodeo, a parade, beauty pageants, and is a popular political campaign stop.^[4]

Education

Public education is primarily provided by the Rector School District, which leads to graduation from Rector High School. The Rector School District was known as Clay County Central School District from 1985 until 2000. The current school district mascot is the cougar.

Notable people

• Dale Alford, member of the United States House of Representatives
• Jerry Bookout, Arkansas politician
• Bill Carter, entertainment, law, Gaither Homecoming Videos
• Maurice Copeland, actor
• Edwin A. Doss, colonel for the United States Air Force
• Skeets McDonald, Rockabilly artist, famous for the song "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes"