{{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Alma, Arkansas | settlement_type = [[City]] | nickname = | mottoes = Crossroads of America<br />[[Spinach]] Capital of the World | image_skyline = Alma, AR 003.jpg | image_caption = [[Popeye]] downtown Alma | image_map = File:Crawford County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Alma Highlighted 0500970.svg | map_caption = Location of Alma in Crawford County, Arkansas. | pushpin_map = USA Arkansas | pushpin_label = Alma | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Arkansas | coordinates = {{coord|35|29|31|N|94|13|00|W|region:US-AR|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{USA}} | subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Arkansas}} | subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Arkansas|County]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Crawford County, Arkansas|Crawford]] | subdivision_type3 = [[List of townships in Arkansas|Township]] | subdivision_name3 = | leader_title = [[Mayor]] | established_title = [[Platted]] | established_date = | established_title1 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] | established_date1 = 1874 | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_05.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 29, 2021}}</ref> | area_total_sq_mi = 5.90 | area_land_sq_mi = 5.73 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.17 | area_total_km2 = 15.28 | area_land_km2 = 14.84 | area_water_km2 = 0.44 | unit_pref = Imperial | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | elevation_ft = 466 | population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]] | population_total = 5825 | pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="Vintage 2025 Total Population Estimates for Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions; Housing Unit Estimates for the Nation, States and Counties">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-kits/2026/vintage-2025-city-town-pop-estimates.html|title=Vintage 2025 Total Population Estimates for Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions; Housing Unit Estimates for the Nation, States and Counties|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 14, 2026}}</ref> | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 6071 {{gain}} | population_density_sq_mi = 1016.58 | population_density_km2 = 392.48 | timezone = [[Central Time Zone|CST]] | utc_offset = −06:00 | timezone_DST = CDT | utc_offset_DST = −05:00 | postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]] | postal_code = 72921 | area_code_type = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]] | area_code = [[Area code 479|479]] | blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] | blank_info = 05-00970 | blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID | blank1_info = 2403086<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2403086}}</ref> | website = {{URL|cityofalma.org}} }}
'''Alma''' is a city in [[Crawford County, Arkansas|Crawford County]], in far western [[Arkansas]], United States. It is located within the [[Arkansas River Valley]] at the edge of the [[Ozark Mountains]]; the city is the sixth largest in the [[Fort Smith metropolitan area]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/0500000US05033.16000P| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212143021/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/0500000US05033.16000P| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): All places within Fort Smith, AR-OK Metro Area| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=June 18, 2014}}</ref> The population was 5,825 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 Census]].<ref name="2020 Census">{{cite web|title=Alma city, Arkansas - Census Bureau Profile|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Alma_city,_Arkansas?g=160XX00US0500970|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref> [[Interstate 40 in Arkansas|Interstates 40]] and [[Interstate 49|49]] were constructed to intersect near the existing city.
==History== Alma was [[Incorporated town|incorporated]] in 1874. Its economy was largely agricultural until the introduction of the canning industry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alma (Crawford County) |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/alma-crawford-county-865/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Encyclopedia of Arkansas |language=en-US}}</ref> Today, the city claims the title of "[[Spinach]] Capital of the World".
In his book ''Washington Goes to War'' (1996), [[David Brinkley]] described Alma's participation in the World War II effort: <blockquote> In the town of Alma, Arkansas (population 776), one-fourth of the girls in the 1944 high school graduating class signed up to leave for [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]], and several of their teachers cast aside their low-paying jobs and went with them, all of them climbing aboard a [[Pullman (car or coach)|Pullman car]] for their first train ride, looking for more money and excitement than they had any reasonable expectation of finding in Alma.<ref>{{Cite book | publisher = A.A. Knopf : Distributed by Random House | isbn = 0394510259 | last = Brinkley | first = David | title = Washington Goes to War | location = New York | year = 1988 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/washingtongoesto00brin }}</ref> </blockquote> Many people migrated from small towns to the capital seeking jobs as the government and associated businesses expanded to run the war effort.
==Geography== [[File:Alma, AR 012.jpg|thumb|left|Streetside along Highway 162 in Alma, AR]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|14.4|km2|disp=flip}}, of which {{convert|14.0|km2|disp=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.4|km2|disp=flip}}, or 3.06%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0500970| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212175714/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0500970| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Alma city, Arkansas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=June 18, 2014}}</ref>
Alma developed along the border between the [[Boston Mountains]] and the [[Arkansas River]] Valley. While most of the city lies on flat land, immediately to the north is scenic hill country. Alma is surrounded by several rural towns, including [[Rudy, Arkansas|Rudy]] to the north, [[Dyer, Arkansas|Dyer]] and [[Mulberry, Arkansas|Mulberry]] to the east, and [[Kibler, Arkansas|Kibler]] to the southwest.
Alma is located in south-central Crawford County and has no airport. The train station, which fell into a state of dilapidation, was torn down in the early 1970's.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}
Much of its commerce derives from interstate highway traffic, as Interstates 40 and [[Interstate 49|49]] (previously [[Interstate 540 (Arkansas)|540]]), as well as U.S. Routes [[U.S. Route 64|64]] and [[U.S. Route 71|71]], pass through the city.
===Parks=== [[File:Alma, AR 013.jpg|thumb|left|Popeye's Garden includes a gazebo and fountain]] Lake Alma Park, surrounding the [[reservoir (water)|reservoir]] formed by a tall earthen dam that impounds Little Frog Bayou, is the largest park in Alma. It contains a {{convert|4.4|mi|km}} bike trail loop and 18-hole [[disc golf]] course.<ref>{{ cite web |last=Saccente |first=Thomas |title=Alma to celebrate 'nice and flowly' beginners trail for mountain bikes |date=August 14, 2022 |url=https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2022/aug/14/alma-to-celebrate-nice-and-flowly-beginners-trail/ |work= Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette |publisher= WEHCO Media |accessdate= May 25, 2026 }}</ref> Alma Aquatic Park, open Memorial Day to Labor Day, is below the dam and contains a large swimming area, diving boards, slides, and a wading pool.<ref>{{ cite web |last=Brich |first=Monica |title=River Valley water parks open early for 2023 season, including in Fort Smith, Alma and Clarksville." |work= River Valley Democrat-Gazette |publisher=WEHCO Media |date= May 21, 2023 |url=https://www.rivervalleydemocratgazette.com/news/2023/may/21/river-valley-water-parks-open-early-for-2023/ |accessdate= May 25, 2026 }}</ref>Joe and Freda Hawkins Memorial Walkway is located next to Alma Aquatic Park along [[Little Frog Bayou]].<ref>{{ cite web |title=Alma renames trails in honor of lifelong residents |date=November 30, 2019 |publisher=KNWA |url= https://www.nwahomepage.com/knwa/alma-renames-trails-in-honor-of-lifelong-residents/ |accessdate= May 25, 2026 }}</ref> Tony and Mardell Christello Park is {{convert|25|acre|ha}} with flat, paved walking trail.<ref>{{ cite web |title=Alma’s Soil Solutions |author=((Arkansas Business Staff)) |date=February 10, 2023 |publisher= Arkansas Business |work=Trendsetter City Awards |url=https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/almas-soil-solutions/ |accessdate= May 25, 2026 }}</ref>
==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1880 = 504 | 1890 = 486 | 1900 = 440 | 1910 = 565 | 1920 = 779 | 1930 = 731 | 1940 = 774 | 1950 = 1228 | 1960 = 1370 | 1970 = 1613 | 1980 = 2755 | 1990 = 2959 | 2000 = 4160 | 2010 = 5419 | 2020 = 5825 | estyear = 2025 | estimate = 6071 | estref = {{increase}} | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br />2014 Estimate<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2014/SUB-EST2014-3.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522132816/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2014/SUB-EST2014-3.html|archive-date=May 22, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> | align = right | align-fn = center }}
===2020 census=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" |+Alma racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0500970&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=January 1, 2022|website=data.census.gov}}</ref><ref name="GR2" /> !scope="col"| Race !scope="col"| Number !scope="col"| Percentage |- !scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic) | 4,826 | 82.85% |- !scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic) | 107 | 1.84% |- !scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] | 106 | 1.82% |- !scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] | 39 | 0.67% |- !scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] | 492 | 8.45% |- !scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] | 255 | 4.38% |} As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Alma had a population of 5,825. The median age was 34.3 years. 29.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.7 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A00970&in=state%3A05|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A00970&in=state%3A05|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
94.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 5.5% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A00970&in=state%3A05|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
There were 2,222 households in Alma, of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.4% were married-couple households, 15.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 2,416 housing units, of which 8.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
===Demographic estimates=== A Census Bureau estimate reported 1,539 families residing in the city, a population density of 1,016.2 people per square mile, and 7.0% of residents under age 5.<ref name="GR2" />
The median household income was $38,292, and the per capita income was $17,811. 32.3% of the population were under the poverty line.<ref name="GR2" />
===2000 census=== As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 4,160 people, 1,560 households, and 1,168 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|865.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,688 housing units at an average density of {{convert|351.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.66% [[Race (U.S. census)|White]], 1.71% [[Race (U.S. census)|Black]] or [[Race (U.S. census)|African American]], 1.56% [[Race (U.S. census)|Native American]], 0.10% [[Race (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.12% [[Race (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.75% from [[race (U.S. census)|other races]], and 1.11% from two or more races. [[Race (U.S. census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (U.S. census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.70% of the population.
There were 1,560 households, out of which 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city, the age distribution was 32.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The [[median income]] for a household in the city was $28,906, and the median income for a family was $34,068. Males had a median income of $33,235 versus $17,014 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,227. 11.9% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 19.7% of those under the age of 18 and 25.4% of those ages 65 or older. ==Government== Alma operates under a form of local government where the mayor and city council combine to form the Governing Body. The city council is composed of six council members, with two elected from each of the city's three wards. Ward 1: Sandra Kilpatrick, Larry Blasingame. Ward 2: James McGhee, Evan Thacker. Ward 3: Damon Brown, Gary Perry. Council members serve two-year terms, and elections for all seats are held concurrently. The mayor serves a four-year term. The current mayor is Jim Fincher. The city also operates with a city clerk and a city attorney.<ref>{{Cite web |last=City of Alma |date=May 21, 2025 |title=Alma, Arkansas Government Council |url=https://www.almaarkansas.gov/council/ |website=City of Alma, Arkansas}}</ref>
==Education== Public education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by the [[Alma School District (Arkansas)|Alma School District]]. The four schools in the district include Alma Primary School, Alma Intermediate School, Alma Middle School and [[Alma High School (Arkansas)|Alma High School]].<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.edline.net/pages/Alma_District/Schools|title=Alma School District|publisher= Alma School District|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref>
==Arts and culture== [[File:The Band Willin-N-Able (15564171088).jpg|thumb|Live music performance at Warren's Rec Room in Alma]]{{See also|Culture of Arkansas}} Concerts are held at the Skokos Performing Arts Center on Main Street.<ref>{{ cite web |last=Hooper |first= Monica |title=The view from the stage Amos Cochran skips the auditorium for Feb. 7 concert in Alma |work=Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette |publisher=WEHCO Media |date=February 1, 2026 |url=https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2026/jan/31/amos-cochran-skips-the-auditorium-for-feb-7/ |page=159 |accessdate= May 25, 2026 }}</ref>
===Spinach Capital of the World=== Around 1987, Alma called itself the "[[Spinach]] Capital of the World" because the Allen Canning Company based in Alma canned more than half of all the spinach canned in the U.S., about {{convert|60|e6lb|kg}} annually.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://arkansasroadstories.com/alma.html|title=Alma, Spinach Capital of the World|publisher=Arkansas Roadside Travelouge|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> The town has had various statues of the cartoon character [[Popeye]], because of his connection to canned spinach; the most recent one was erected in 2007. Cast in bronze, it sits atop a fountain holding a can of spinach. It is the centerpiece of Popeye Park. Crystal City Texas is also considered the Spinach Capital of the World.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/15404|title=Popeye Statue - 2007 Model |publisher=Roadside America|access-date=December 12, 2012}}</ref>
===Annual cultural events=== The annual Spinach Festival is hosted at the City Park and Community Center on the third weekend in April. First held in 1986, the festival is sponsored by the Alma Chamber of Commerce and the Alma Advertising & Promotion Commission. The festival brings carnival rides, crafts, food and live music. A spinach eating contest takes place at noon, followed by a spinach drop. A package of spinach is dropped from an Alma Fire Department ladder truck onto a board with entrant's names, with the winner receiving a cash prize.<ref>{{ cite web |title= Spinach Festival draws hundreds to downtown Alma |date= April 20, 2013 |url= http://www.thecitywire.com/node/27461#.VO4KtfnF9qU |first= Brittany |last= Ransom |publisher= The City Wire |access-date= February 25, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150226051203/http://www.thecitywire.com/node/27461#.VO4KtfnF9qU |archive-date= February 26, 2015 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
==Infrastructure== ===Water=== [[File:Alma, AR 007.jpg|thumb|right|Alma Water & Sewer main office]] The City of Alma Public Works Department contains the Water & Sewer Division. This group treats and distributes [[potable water]] from Lake Alma to the residents and commercial users of the city while also owning and operating a wastewater collection system.<ref>{{ cite web |title= Annual Drinking Water Quality Report |year= 2013 |url= http://ar-alma.civiccities.com/DocumentCenter/View/1411 |access-date= February 25, 2015 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Wastewater is collected and conveyed to the Alma Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). At the WWTP, wastewater passes through a bar screen, Parshall Flume, lagoon 1 (one completely mixed cell followed by two partially mixed cells), Lagoon 2 (facultative), Lagoon 3 (facultative), and optional chlorine/de-chlorination chambers. The plant has a design capacity of {{convert|1.75|e6gal|L}} per day, and discharges treated effluent to the [[Arkansas River]] in accordance with the city's [[Clean Water Act|NPDES]] permit administrated by the [[Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality]].
==Notable people== * [[Kiley Dean]], R&B singer * [[Eli Drinkwitz]], [[University of Missouri]] football coach * [[Charlene Fite]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[Arkansas House of Representatives]] from District 80; formerly resided in Alma * [[Bradley Hathaway]], poet and folk musician * [[Billy Hughes (actor)|Billy Hughes]], actor * [[Disappearance of Morgan Nick|Morgan Nick]], child abduction/murder victim * [[Parley P. Pratt|Parley Pratt]], early leader of the [[Latter Day Saint movement]] * [[Fay Washington]], baseball player * Gavin Webb, Filmmaker and Paranormal Investigator
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
* {{Portal-inline|United States}}
==External links== {{Sister project links|wikt=no|commons=Category:Alma, Arkansas|b=no|n=no|q=no|s=no|v=no|voy=Alma (Arkansas)|species=no|d=Q79440}} * [http://cityofalma.org/ City of Alma] official website * [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=865 The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20061105050834/http://almachamber.com/HISTORY%20OF%20ALMA.pdf History of Alma] (pdf) from the Alma Chamber of Commerce website
{{Crawford County, Arkansas}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Cities in Arkansas]] [[Category:Cities in Crawford County, Arkansas]] [[Category:Fort Smith metropolitan area]] [[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1874]] [[Category:1874 establishments in Arkansas]]