Fast Facts About Arkansas: From State Symbols to Cost of Living
Did you know that more than half of Arkansas is covered in forestland? The Natural State is full of surprises, from its deep roots to its modern-day impact.
The name “Arkansas” means “south wind” and comes from the Quapaw, an early tribe that inhabited the area. The region was spelled various ways over the years, but entered the Union as Arkansas in 1836 and “Ark-an-saw” became the pronunciation in 1881.
Today, Arkansas is home to global and nationwide companies like Walmart, Dillard’s and J.B. Hunt, and it ranks as the nation’s top producer of rice and poultry.
Want to know more? From rainfall and recreation to produce and politics, there’s a lot to discover.
State Tree: Pine
State Nickname: The Natural State
State Flower: Apple Blossom
Population: 3.08 Million - (33rd in the Nation)
Square miles: 53,187 (27th in nation)
Mountain Ranges: 3
State parks: 52
National forests: 3
Acres of forests: 17.2 million
National Park Service sites: 7
Acres of lakes: 600,000
Miles of streams & rivers: 90,700
Major lakes: 13
Arkansas Air Quality (on a scale of 1-100): 91.9
Average work commute: 22.2 minutes
Cost of living: 14% lower than the rest of the country
Median home cost: $234,167
Highest peak: 2,753' at the height of Mount Magazine
Average annual rainfall: 49.6"
Average annual temperature: 61.4 degrees
Average annual snowfall in the northern regions of Arkansas: 10.4"
Average annual snowfall in the southern regions of Arkansas: 2.8"