According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.2 square miles (26.5 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 12,152 people, 5,259 households, and 3,260 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,187.5 people per square mile (458.6/km²). There were 5,747 housing units at an average density of 561.6/sq mi (216.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.24% White, 1.00% Black or African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,259 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,850, and the median income for a family was $34,009. Males had a median income of $27,934 versus $18,873 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,909. About 11.5% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.
Community
Harrison is home to Cavender's Greek Seasoning, the general office of FedEx Freight, the second Wal-Mart store ever opened[citation needed], Claridge Products and Heritage Connection, a white supremacy band. The courthouse, opened in 1909, serves as the heart of the downtown district.
Harrison serves as the National Park Service's Buffalo National River headquarters. The park was established in the 1970s, and was the nation’s first National River[citation needed]. The river flows for 135 miles. There are over 60 different species of fish in the Buffalo National River[citation needed].
Crooked Creek, a nationally recognized[citation needed] “Blue Ribbon” smallmouth bass fishery flows through Harrison.
Hemmed-in-Hollow, the tallest waterfall between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians[citation needed] is near Harrison and stands at 209 feet tall. On the same bluff line is Diamond Falls. At 148 feet, it is the second tallest in the state[citation needed].
The historic Lyric Theatre is now used for plays, community events, old movies and other gatherings[citation needed]. It was originally opened as a movie theater in 1929[citation needed].
Harrison hosts the annual Arkansas Hot Air Balloon races each September, Crawdad Day's Music Festival each May, a Harvest Homecoming festival each October, and Christmas celebration in December.
The recently renovated North Arkansas Regional Medical Center is located in Harrison.
Harrison is just 35 miles south of the live music capital, Branson, MO.
Education
Residents are served by the Harrison School District[1]. Harrison is also home to North Arkansas College (NAC).
The Harrison mascot is the Golden Goblin.
Harrison has been a member of the North Arkansas Association and Colleges and Schools since 1936.
Other
In 1905, a white mob entered a local jail and took two burglars outside the city, whereupon they whipped them and ordered them to never return.[5]
The Harrison Police Department has had two officers killed in the line of duty, both by gunfire and both within a year of one another. The first was officer Ed Williams, killed on a disturbance call on May 25, 1934. The second was Chief of Police Burr Robertson, killed while arresting a murder suspect at the railroad station on March 27, 1935.[6]
Gracie Pfost, first woman elected to Congress from Idaho, was born in Harrison.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has recognized the Harrison Courthouse Square Historic District. It contains a large number of the city's original commercial and governmental structures, including the still-used courthouse in the center of the square, the recently refurbished Lyric theater, and the beautiful 1929 Hotel Seville, which underwent a complete restoration in 2008.
Harrison was the home of All-American Offensive Lineman Brandon Burlsworth. He played for the Arkansas Razorbacks in the late 1990s. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL Draft, but was killed in a car accident just 11 days later.
