El Paso is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in southwestern White County, Arkansas, United States. It was first listed as a CDP in the 2020 census with a population of 267.[1] Its name is Spanish for "the pass", referring to a small gap in the hills on the community's northern edge. Once known as Peach Orchard Gap in its early settlement, the origin of El Paso's Spanish name is unknown.
History
The historic Southwest Trail, a path used by most travelers entering Arkansas early in the 1800s, entered El Paso on today's Arkansas Highway 5 from Floyd, then headed to Gibson via Arkansas Highway 89, Tate's Mill Road and Batesville Pike Road. By the 1830s more than 80 percent of the Arkansas territory's population had entered through the Southwest Trail. The route is also known as the Old Military Road.[2]
Geography
The center of El Paso is located at 35.13, -92.10.[3]
Much of the community is situated along Bull Creek, and along Arkansas State Highway 5 and U.S. Highway 64. Lacking exact boundaries, the community is located within the borders of El Paso Township, within White County.
The closest city is Vilonia, approximately seven miles to the west of El Paso via U.S. 64. Beebe, where El Paso's children attend public schools, is about 13 miles to the east along this highway. Along Arkansas 5, Cabot is 15 miles to the south, and the unincorporated community of Romance is eight miles north.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 267 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[4] 2020[5] | |||
2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2020[5] | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 232 | 86.89% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2 | 0.75% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 4 | 1.50% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2 | 0.75% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 2 | 0.75% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 13 | 4.87% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12 | 4.49% |
| Total | 267 | 100.00% |
Education
El Paso is in the Beebe School District.[6][7]
Notable person
Virginia Morris Johnson, the first woman to run for the office of governor of Arkansas was reared during her childhood in El Paso.
References
- ^ "El Paso CDP, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
- ^ "Southwest Trail". Arkansas Heritage Trail. Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – El Paso CDP, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): White County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2021. - Compare to the highway map.
- ^ "General Highway Map White County, Arkansas" (PDF). Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 6, 2021. - See El Paso on the map.
External links
- Demographic information on the El Paso ZIP code (72045) service area from the United States Census Bureau
Municipalities and communities of White County, Arkansas, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other unincorporated communities | ||
35°07′34″N 92°05′44″W / 35.12611°N 92.09556°W