GRAVETTE -- Gravette's official population has shown a substantial increase, according to figures received last week from the U.S. Census Bureau, said Gravette mayor, Byron Warren.
The population for the city is now 3,213. This is an increase of 888 persons from the figures in the 2010 census: 2,325.
The new number includes population added from Hiwasse and the rural areas which became a part of Gravette in April of 2012.
It does not include figures from at least three additional annexations that have occurred since that date. Also any potential population growth since 2010 is not included.
The new figure is expected to change Gravette from being a second-class city to a city of first-class status, Warren said.
Warren said this will involve changes in the city's political and election rules as well as other governmental factors. Warren is researching information on the subject from the Arkansas Municipal League, which advises cities on such matters.
In contrast to the new figure, Gravette's population in 2000 was 1,893 persons. This jumped to the 2,325 figure 10 years later.
Although growth in western Benton County does not equal that of the Highway 71 corridor, it does contribute to the four-county region, Benton, Washington and Madison counties in Arkansas and McDonald County in Missouri, which is reaching the half-million mark, according to statistics recently released.
General News on 06/04/2014