Fort Smith
Fort Smith: Geography and Climate
Fort Smith: History
Fort Smith: Population Profile
Fort Smith: Municipal Government
Fort Smith: Economy
Fort Smith: Education and Research
Fort Smith: Health Care
Fort Smith: Recreation
Fort Smith: Convention Facilities
Fort Smith: Transportation
Fort Smith: Communications
The City in Brief
Founded: 1817
Head Official: Mayor C. Ray Baker, Jr. (unaffiliated) (since 1991)
City Population
1980: 72,734
1990: 73,511
2000: 80,268
2003 estimate: 81,562
Percent change, 1990–2000: 9.2%
U.S. rank in 2000: 363
Metropolitan Area Population
1980: 203,511
1990: 175,911
2000: 207,290
Percent change, 1990–2000: 17.8%
U.S. rank in 2000: 162nd
Area: 52.94 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 463 feet above sea level
Average Annual Temperature: 61° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 40.9 total inches of precipitation; 6.2 inches of snow
Major Economic Sectors: Manufacturing, trade, transportation, utilities, education, health services, government
Unemployment rate: 4.5% (November 2004)
Per Capita Income: $18,994 (2000)
2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 7,498
Major Colleges and Universities: University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, Webster University, John Brown University
Daily Newspaper: The Times Record
