Arkansas Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Population: 55,515

Located in Craighead County

The city of Jonesboro is one of the state's most dynamically developing centers, growing in areas of industry, education, retail and medicine. As a hub of agricultural production, Jonesboro has delta cotton land to the East and rice and soybean fields to the southwest. Jonesboro is the home of Riceland Foods, the largest rice mill in the world. Jonesboro is ranked 23rd on the list of business friendly cities by Expansion Management Magazine. Several large industries help to support our growing community. Among these include: Hytrol Conveyor Company, Post General Foods, Armour Swift Eckrich, General Electric, Thomas & Betts Corporation, Nestle's and Frito Lay. Unemployment is very low. In March 1996, Jonesboro had a 4.0 percent unemployment rate as compared to 5.2 percent for the State of Arkansas and 5.8 percent of the United States. According to the 2000 census, Jonesboro experienced 22% growth from 1990 - 2000, which is the highest rate of growth in the state. Currently there is much expansion with Home Depot, Sam's Club, and a new mall under construction.

Jonesboro is the home of Arkansas State University, which is a 10,000 population city in itself. ASU is a division I school offering football, baseball, volleyball, and several other sports programs facing opponents such as Ole Miss and the University of Memphis. Jonesboro is served by six public school systems which are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. They are Jonesboro, Nettleton, Brookland, Bay, Valley View, and Westside Public Schools. Each school system offers general college preparatory, business and vocational- technical courses. There are special program for blind, deaf, physically and mentally handicapped students. There is also a diverse adult education program. The school term usually begins in late August and ends the latter part of May. A child must be five years old by October 1 of the current school term to attend kindergarten. Enrollment requirements include legal proof of age, physical ' exam and inoculations for polio, smallpox, DPT and rubella. Transfer students should register at the school they will be attending. School authorities will send transcripts of transfer student's cumulative records. Textbooks are loaned to all public students. Each school has a cafeteria and provides free transportation to students living two miles or more from their school.

Among the cities cultural facilities are the ASU Museum and the Forum, Jonesboro's Civic Center. The ASU Museum is one of four accredited museums in the states. It features a guided special exhibit each month. The Forum, the city's beautifully restored civic auditorium, hosts concerts, plays, seminars, pageants, town meetings, business meetings, religious services, film showings, and weddings. Northeast Arkansas, Inc. serves as an umbrella group to coordinate funding and provide business management for affiliated cultural and entertainment activities in Jonesboro. Divisions within the Foundation include art, dance, theater, Northeast Arkansas Symphony, The Showtime Series and International Film Series.

Jonesboro offers fine dining with such national chains as Outback Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday, O'Charley's and more. You will also find local favorites such as The Oaks, The Mallard, The 501, and The Jubilation.