Overview

Introduction to Van Buren, Arkansas

Van Buren, Arkansas, in Crawford county, is 4 miles NE of Fort Smith, Arkansas (center to center) and 104 miles SE of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The city is included in the Fort Smith metropolitan area.

Van Buren History

Van Buren was first settled by Thomas Martin and David Boyd in 1818. The first post office was constructed in 1831. At that time, the area was known as Phillips Landing. Later, it was renamed after Martin Van Buren, 8th President of the United States. It is the county seat of Crawford County, which was founded on October 18, 1820, and named in honor of William H. Crawford. Van Buren was incorporated on December 24, 1842.

Van Buren and nearby Attractions

  • River Valley Museum
  • Crawford County Art Center
  • Fort Smith National Historic Site
  • Bob Burns Museum
  • Spiro Mounds
  • Devil's Den State Park

Things To Do In Van Buren

While in Van Buren you can visit the Doll Museum, River Valley Museum, and the Fort Smith National Historic Site. The Arkansas and Missouri Railroad's route allows you to enjoy the scenic views of Arkansas. The Van Buren Historic District is also worth visiting. Shopping can be enjoyed at the Cloverleaf Plaza Shopping Center and North Hills Plaza Shopping Center.

Van Buren Transportation

Fort Smith Regional Airport is nearby.

Van Buren Higher Education

Facilities for higher education are offered at Westark College, Northeastern State University, University of Arkansas-Main Campus, and several other colleges and universities.

Demographics

People

Total Population23,296
Male Share of the Population47.5%
Female Share of the Population52.5%
Senior Citizens14.3%
Employed Population 16+9,903
Age of the Population34

Families

% of people married50.3%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher18.9%
Median Earnings25+$32,229
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$23,911
Median Earnings With High School Degree$27,598

Wealth

Median Family Income$50,909
% Above Poverty Level79.6%
% Below Poverty Level20.4%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time20 minutes
% Working from Home2%
% Walking and Biking to Work1.6%
% Using Public Transportation0.2%

Housing

People Living Alone27.8%
Median Gross Rent$722
Median House Value$118,700

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)36.4%
Irish10.2%
English8.7%
German8.5%
French Except Basque1.4%
Scottish1.3%
Italian1%
Dutch1%
Polish0.7%
Norwegian0.5%
Swiss0.5%
Austrian0.5%
Canadian0.4%
Welsh0.4%
Jamaican0.2%
West Indian0.2%
Greek0.2%
Arab0.2%
Syrian0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
Czech0.1%
Swedish0.1%
Romanian0.1%
African0.1%
Russian0.1%
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Van Buren Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyCrawford County
Standard Zip Codes72956
P.O. Box Zip Codes72957
Phone Area Codes479
Time ZoneAmerica/Chicago
Approximate Latitude35.44
Approximate Longitude-94.35

Van Buren Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationFORT SMITH RGNL AP
Distance7.2 miles
Jan Temp28 to 48 F
Apr Temp49 to 73 F
Jul Temp71 to 93 F
Oct Temp51 to 75 F
Annual Precip43.8 inches
StationSALLISAW 2 NW
Distance25.5 miles
Jan Temp25 to 48 F
Apr Temp47 to 72 F
Jul Temp70 to 93 F
Oct Temp50 to 75 F
Annual Precip46.7 inches
StationOZARK
Distance30.1 miles
Jan Temp25 to 48 F
Apr Temp46 to 72 F
Jul Temp69 to 92 F
Oct Temp48 to 75 F
Annual Precip45.3 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Alma5,688$54,428
Barling4,844$44,826
Cedarville1,328$51,442
Fort Smith87,639$49,798
Lavaca2,794$62,083

Van Buren Public Libraries

Crawford County Library System
1409 MAIN ST.
Van Buren, Arkansas
(479) 471-3226

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Van Buren Hospitals

Summit Medical Center
(Proprietary)
East Main & South 20th Streets
(479) 474-3401

Van Buren Public Schools

Butterfield Junior High School
310 N 11th St
ZIP: 72956
Middle
Total Enrollment 676
City Heights Elementary School
301 Mt Vista Ave
ZIP: 72956
Primary
Total Enrollment 362
J. J. Izard Elementary School
501 N 24th St
ZIP: 72956
Primary
Total Enrollment 430
James R. Tate Elem. School
406 Catcher Rd
ZIP: 72956
Primary
Total Enrollment 420
King Elementary School
400 N 19th St
ZIP: 72956
Primary
Total Enrollment 566
Northridge Middle School
120 Northridge Dr
ZIP: 72956
Middle
Total Enrollment 657
Parkview Elementary School
605 Parkview St
ZIP: 72956
Primary
Total Enrollment 484
Rena Elementary School
720 Rena Rd
ZIP: 72956
Primary
Total Enrollment 488
Van Buren High School
2001 Pointer Trail
ZIP: 72956
High
Total Enrollment 1825

Van Buren Private Schools

Van Buren Christian Academy
2301 Fayetteville Rd
ZIP: 72956
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 54
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