Mena is a city in and the county seat of Polk County, in the western part of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city's population was 5,749.
Overview
Mena is situated within the Ouachita Mountains and serves as a regional hub for commerce, healthcare, and education for the surrounding rural areas. The city is incorporated under a mayor–council form of government.
History
- Founding: The area that would become Mena was originally inhabited by the Caddo people. European-American settlement began in the late 19th century, primarily driven by logging and timber interests.
- Railroad Influence: In 1896, the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad (later part of the Kansas City Southern Railway) extended a line through the region. The town was named “Mena” after Mena, a city in the Ottoman Empire (present‑day Turkey), reflecting the railroad company's practice of using exotic names.
- Incorporation: Mena was incorporated as a town on March 30, 1896, and later attained city status as its population grew.
Geography
- Location: Mena lies at latitude 34.5868° N and longitude 94.2399° W, approximately 30 mi east of the Oklahoma border.
- Topography: The city is located in a valley surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, with an elevation of about 1,200 feet (366 m) above sea level.
- Area: According to the United States Census Bureau, Mena covers a total area of 8.9 square miles (23.1 km²), of which 8.8 square miles (22.8 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) is water.
Demographics
- Population (2020): 5,749 residents.
- Racial Composition: Predominantly White (approximately 85 %), with smaller percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and individuals of two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents comprise roughly 4 % of the population.
- Household Structure: The city has a mix of family households and non‑family households, with an average household size of about 2.4 persons.
- Economics: Median household income is around $35,000, with a portion of the population living below the federal poverty line.
Economy
Mena's economy is anchored by sectors such as healthcare, education, retail, and tourism. Key employers include:
- Polk County Hospital: The primary healthcare facility serving the region.
- Mena School District: Provides public education and employs a significant number of staff.
- Tourism: Proximity to the Ouachita National Forest and Lake Ouachita attracts outdoor recreation enthusiasts, supporting hospitality and service businesses.
Education
- Public Schools: The Mena School District operates Mena Elementary School, Mena Middle School, and Mena High School.
- Higher Education: While no four‑year colleges are located within Mena, the city is within commuting distance of regional institutions such as Oklahoma State University–Muskogee and the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope.
Transportation
- Highways: U.S. Highway 71 runs north–south through Mena, providing connections to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Arkansas Highway 88 intersects in the city.
- Rail: Freight rail service is maintained by the Kansas City Southern Railway.
- Air: Mena Municipal Airport (formerly Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport) serves general aviation; the nearest commercial airport is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, approximately 180 miles to the southeast.
Notable People
- John R. C. Dodd: Former Arkansas State Representative (served 1975–1981) who was born in Mena.
- Roy H. McGowan: Noted for his contributions to the timber industry in Arkansas; raised in Mena.
References
Data derived from United States Census Bureau reports, Arkansas state and local government publications, and historical records pertaining to the development of the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad.