{{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Elkins, Arkansas | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = Elkins City Administration 001.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = Elkins City Administration Building | image_seal = Elkins city logo.png | image_map = File:Washington County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Elkins Highlighted 0521190.svg | mapsize = 250px | map_caption = Location of Elkins in Washington County, Arkansas. | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name = {{USA}} | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Arkansas}} | subdivision_name2 = Washington | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | established_date = | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 10.13 | area_total_sq_mi = 3.91 | area_land_km2 = 10.03 | area_land_sq_mi = 3.87 | area_water_km2 = 0.10 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.04 | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | elevation_ft = 1224 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_footnotes = | population_total = 3602 | population_metro = | population_density_km2 = 359.00 | population_density_sq_mi = 929.79 | timezone = Central (CST) | utc_offset = -6 | coordinates = {{coord|36|01|02|N|94|01|30|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} | timezone_DST = CDT | utc_offset_DST = -5 | postal_code_type = ZIP code | postal_code = 72727 | area_code = 479 | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 05-21190 | blank1_name = GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 2403555<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2403555}}</ref> | footnotes = | website = {{URL|https://www.elkins.arkansas.gov/}} | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | 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> | population_est = 4184 {{gain}} | unit_pref = Imperial | 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|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref> }} '''Elkins''' is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The community is located in the Boston Mountains, deep in the Ozark Mountains. A combination of the former unincorporated communities of Harris and Hood, Elkins was established in 1964.<ref name="eoa">{{ Cite encyclopedia |last= Johnson |first= Mary Ellen |title= Elkins (Washington County) |url= http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=1003 |encyclopedia= Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture |publisher= Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System |date= March 5, 2012 |access-date= July 6, 2013 }}</ref>
Located immediately east of Fayetteville in the Northwest Arkansas metropolitan statistical area, Elkins had a population of 3,602 as of the 2020 census.<ref name="Census2020PLLede">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N&for=place%3A21190&in=state%3A05|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 4, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
==Geography== The city is located southeast of Fayetteville along Arkansas Highway 16 on the west bank of the White River.<ref name=atlas>{{Cite map |publisher = DeLorme |title = Arkansas Atlas and Gazetteer |edition = Second |page = 23 |date = 2002| isbn=0-89933-345-1}}</ref>
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|2.6|sqmi|km2}}, all land.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}
==Demographics== ===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, there were 3,602 people, 1,109 households, and 771 families residing in the city.<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%3A21190&in=state%3A05|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="ElkinsCensusData2020">{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0521190&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=January 1, 2022|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The median age was 33.4 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.1 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%3A21190&in=state%3A05|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% 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%3A21190&in=state%3A05|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
Of all households, 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. 54.4% were married-couple households, 13.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 1,418 housing units, of which 4.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" |+Elkins racial composition<ref name="ElkinsCensusData2020"/><ref name="Census2020PL"/> !scope="col"| Race !scope="col"| Number !scope="col"| Percentage |- !scope="row"| White (non-Hispanic) | 2,862 | 79.46% |- !scope="row"| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 47 | 1.3% |- !scope="row"| Native American | 45 | 1.25% |- !scope="row"| Asian | 20 | 0.56% |- !scope="row"| Pacific Islander | 12 | 0.33% |- !scope="row"| Other/Mixed | 277 | 7.69% |- !scope="row"| Hispanic or Latino | 339 | 9.41% |}
===2000 census=== {{US Census population | align = right | 1970 = 418 | 1980 = 579 | 1990 = 692 | 2000 = 1251 | 2010 = 2648 | 2020 = 3602 | estyear = 2025 | estimate = 4184 | estref = <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> {{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/2015/SUB-EST2015-3.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015|access-date=June 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019182931/https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2015/SUB-EST2015-3.html|archive-date=October 19, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> | align-fn = center }} 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 1984 there were 12 adults, 45 households, and 370 small children eating the city. The population density was {{convert|479.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 518 housing units at an average density of {{convert|198.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.56% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 1.76% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 485 households, out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.4% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,318, and the median income for a family was $45,750. Males had a median income of $31,742 versus $22,008 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,161. About 5.9% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 19.1% of those age 65 or over. ==Education== Public education for students in kindergarten through grade 12 in most of Elkins is provided by the Elkins School District, which leads to graduation at Elkins High School.
Sections of Elkins are in the Fayetteville School District.<ref name=Censusschoolmap>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st05_ar/schooldistrict_maps/c05143_washington/DC20SD_C05143.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washington County, AR|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=September 17, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st05_ar/c05143_washington/DC10SD_C05143_001.pdf 2010 map]</ref> Fayetteville High School is that district's comprehensive high school.
<gallery widths="180px" heights="120px"> File:Elkins School District Office.jpg|Office for Elkins School District File:Elkins HS 002.jpg|Elkins High School File:Elkins Public Library.jpg|Elkins Public Library </gallery>
==Collins Mound Site== Consisting of 5 mounds within an 18-acre area located near the White River, this site has been dated to the Early to Middle Mississippian period (A.D. 900-1400.) Geometric surveys have hinted at the site being a complex prehistoric settlement associated with complex ritual mortuary events linking regional native populations.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sullivan|first1=Stephanie M.|last2=McKinnon|first2=Duncan P.|date=June 1, 2013|title=The Collins Site (3wa1): Exploring Architectural Variation in the Western Ozark Highlands|journal=Southeastern Archaeology|volume=32|issue=1|pages=70–84|doi=10.1179/sea.2013.32.1.006|s2cid=128828666|issn=0734-578X}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite thesis|last=Carmelita|first=Angeles|title=The Dirt on the Collins Mounds Site|date=January 1, 2016|publisher=University of Arkansas, Fayetteville|url=http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/1719|language=en}}</ref>
Both rectangular and dodecahedron fractal architectural structures have been noted, including a possible central plaza space.<ref name=":0" />
==Transportation== As of 2023, there is no fixed route transit service in Elkins. Ozark Regional Transit operates demand-response service in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ozark.org/demand-response|title=Demand Response|access-date=September 28, 2023}}</ref> The nearest intercity bus service is provided by Jefferson Lines in nearby Fayetteville.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeffersonlines.com/bus-stops/arkansas/|title=Arkansas Bus Stops|access-date=September 28, 2023}}</ref>
==Notable people==
*Jim King, baseball player *Danny L. Patrick, former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Madison County; in later years, he farmed near Elkins.<ref>"Danny Lee Patrick", ''Arkansas Democrat-Gazette'', July 29, 2009</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Arkansas}} * White River Bridge at Elkins
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Commons category}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070806155942/http://www.elkins.arkansas.gov/ City website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211242/http://www.elkinsonline.net/ Community website]
{{Washington County, Arkansas}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Cities in Arkansas Category:Cities in Washington County, Arkansas Category:Northwest Arkansas Category:1964 establishments in Arkansas Category:Populated places established in 1964