Jonesboro

History

The Jonesboro area was first inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous peoples. At the time of the European encounter, historic tribes included the Osage, Caddo, and Quapaw. The name for the state of Arkansas comes from the Quapaw language. The French and Spanish traders and trappers had relations with those groups.

After the United States acquired this territory in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, American settlers eventually made their way to an area near Jonesboro. They began exploring, hunting, trapping, and trading with local Indian tribes. The permanent settlement of Jonesboro was established shortly after 1859, when Craighead County was established.

In 1859, land was taken from nearby Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett Counties and was used to form Craighead County. Jonesboro was designated as the original county seat. As the population increased to the west of the county, Lake City was named as the second seat. Jonesboro had 150 residents in 1859. It was named after State Senator William A. Jones in recognition of his support for the formation of Craighead County. Originally spelled Jonesborough, the city name was later shortened to its present-day spelling.

In 1881, a young woman was brutally murdered in an apparent robbery. Her father had left their farm for a short while and returned to find her in a pool of her own blood. Four black men were arrested in conjunction with the crime, and after their trial, the Jonesboro Lynching of 1881 took place at midnight on March 12. The Decatur Daily Republican reported that the four men, called Green Harris (sometimes referred to as Hawes), Giles Peck, John Woods (sometimes referred to as Jud Woods), and Burt Hoskins (sometimes referred to as Haskins)—had been arrested and tried before magistrates Jackson and Akers at New Haven Church, 8 miles north of Jonesboro. The hearing, which found that the men were guilty, was attended by several hundred people. According to this and several other reports, the accused made a complete confession. The magistrates bound them over to the grand jury, and they were ordered taken to the jail in Jonesboro. The hour being late, however, it was decided to hold them overnight in the church under a strong guard. The large crowd gradually dispersed, "muttering threats of vengeance." Around midnight, between 200 and 300 masked men surrounded the church, overpowered the guards, and broke in the doors and windows. They seized the accused, dragged them to a tree about 200 yards away, and hanged them. Once again, the crowd dispersed, "leaving the bodies of their victims dangling in the air and presenting a horrible spectacle in the moonlight." According to the Republican, "The crime and punishment form one of the blackest pages in the annals of the state.

2020 tornado

A "large, destructive" EF3 tornado struck Jonesboro on March 28, 2020, causing severe damage to The Mall at Turtle Creek and at least 20 minor injuries, and two severe injuries.

Geography

Jonesboro is located atop Crowley's Ridge in northeastern Arkansas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 80.724 square miles (209.07 km2), of which 80.172 square miles (207.64 km2) is land and 0.552 square miles (1.43 km2) (0.68%) is water.

Climate

Jonesboro has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa).

Demographics

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of July 31, 2026, in Jonesboro was $228,083.

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there were 33,732 estimated households in Jonesboro with an average of 2.34 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $51,672. Approximately 23.1% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Jonesboro has an estimated 56.6% employment rate, with 35.6% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 90.5% holding a high school diploma. There were 36,969 housing units at an average density of 461.12 per square mile (178.04/km2).

The median age in the city was 33.7 years.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 78,576 people, 30,620 households, and 18,964 families residing in the city. The population density was 980.02 inhabitants per square mile (378.39/km2). There were 33,271 housing units at an average density of 414.96 per square mile (160.22/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 64.55% White, 22.77% African American, 0.34% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 3.78% from some other races and 6.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.27% of the population.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 67,263 people, 26,111 households, and 16,637 families residing in the city. The population density was 842.17 inhabitants per square mile (325.16/km2). There were 28,321 housing units at an average density of 354.59 per square mile (136.91/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 74.71% White, 18.41% African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.96% from some other races and 2.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.21% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 55,515 people, 22,219 households, and 14,353 families residing in the city. The population density was 697.12 inhabitants per square mile (269.16/km2). There were 24,263 housing units at an average density of 304.68 per square mile (117.64/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.37% White, 11.27% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.05% from some other races and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.34% of the population.

There were 22,219 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 16.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,196, and the median income for a family was $42,082. Males had a median income of $31,668 versus $21,633 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,884. 17.4% of the population and 12.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 22.4% were under the age of 18 and 12.3% were 65 or older.

Awards

Jonesboro has received multiple state and national recognitions for excellence in infrastructure, planning, recreation, and public-safety initiatives. In 2024, the city was given the Airport of the Year award by the Arkansas Division of Aeronautics for improvements at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport. That same year, Mayor Harold Copenhaver was recognized as Mayor of the Year by the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police for his leadership in public safety and support of crime-reduction technology.

In 2024, Jonesboro's Health Accelerator Plan earned the Plan of the Year (population 30,000+) award from the Arkansas Chapter of the American Planning Association. The city also received the Trail of the Year (Natural Surface) award for Craighead Forest Park and the Tourism Program of the Year for the African American Cultural Center at the E. Boone Watson Community Center from the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association.

Other recognitions include the 2024 Trendsetter City of the Year – Diversity and Inclusion Award from the Arkansas Municipal League for programs such as Project SEARCH, Project CARE, and the Social Determinants of Health Study, as well as prior Trendsetter honors for Infrastructure and Water (2023), Education and Workforce Development (2022), and Technology and Security (2022).

Economy

The Mall at Turtle Creek, opened in 2006, was the largest mall in northeast Arkansas and was the only enclosed mall constructed in the country that year. The mall closed in 2020 due to tornado damage; currently, the only stores in operation at Turtle Creek are Dillard's, JCPenney, and Target.

Before the Mall at Turtle Creek opened, Indian Mall, named for the former mascot of Arkansas State University, was the primary shopping destination in northeast Arkansas. The Indian Mall was demolished in 2012.

In 2025, the former Turtle Creek mall site was sold for about US$4.85 million, and redevelopment plans are underway to transform parts of it into an open-air, mixed-use center.”

Arts and culture

Points of interest

Craighead Forest Park is a city-owned park located on Crowley's Ridge, featuring a 60-acre fishing lake, camping facilities, hiking/biking trails, nature areas, picnic sites, and recreational fields.

Crowley's Ridge Parkway runs through Jonesboro. It was designated one of Arkansas' Scenic Byways in 1997, and it was designated Arkansas' first National Scenic Byway in 1998.

In 2004, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission opened the 160-acre Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center in south Jonesboro, adjacent to Craighead Forest Park. The center includes exhibits on the origins and history of the ridge, wildlife, educational models and displays, land and water features, hiking trails, an observation tower, and an auditorium.

Located on the ASU campus, the Arkansas State University Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums and features 21,000 square feet of historic, archaeological, and natural-history exhibits. The museum focuses on the history and cultural heritage of Northeast Arkansas and the Mississippi River Delta region. The [museum interprets the history and culture of the Crowley's Ridge Region and the Lower Mississippi River Valley. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, it is one of only four accredited museums in the state. The museum is located in the west wing of the library and museum complex on the ASU campus, and admission is free.

The Fowler Center, also located on the ASU campus, features a concert hall, drama stage, experimental theatre, teaching gallery, and grand lobby. It hosts the annual Fowler Center performance series, visiting musicians, and ASU Theatre Department productions.

The Bradbury Art Museum presents exhibitions of contemporary art in a variety of media, showcasing regional, national, and international artists. It also features biannual student exhibitions from the ASU Department of Art. The museum is located within the Fowler Center and is free and open to the public.

The Forum Theatre, located in historic downtown Jonesboro, is home to the Foundation of Arts, a regional nonprofit organization that offers community theatre, art, dance, drama, and music programs. The forum hosts several productions each year, with auditions open to the public.

Education

Higher education

Arkansas State University (ASU) is located in Jonesboro. New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine maintains a second location on ASU's campus in Wilson Hall.

The Northeast Arkansas Career and Tech Center is also located in Jonesboro.

Elementary and secondary education

Six public school districts operate within the city limits of Jonesboro:

Jonesboro School District - Operates Jonesboro High School

Valley View School District

Nettleton School District - operates Nettleton High School

Westside Consolidated School District

Bay School District

Brookland School District

Prior to school integration in the United States, a separate set of schools was maintained for white and black children. Booker T. Washington High School provided education for black children from surrounding areas under contract at until the schools were finally integrated. Jonesboro was a leader in educating African-American Children.

Infrastructure

Transportation

The region is served by the Jonesboro Municipal Airport, which is served by Southern Airways Express through the federally subsidized Essential Air Service program.

The city is served by Jonesboro Economical Transit (GOJO). As of 2026, GOJO operates four fixed routes, as well as paratransit service for disabled persons. Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Greyhound Lines.