CHAPTER 1
The City of Barling had a 1990 population of 4,078. Sales is the number one occupation of Barling residents 16 years of age and older. Running a close second is administrative support occupations. In 1994, 43.2 percent of Barling residents earned an income between $25,000 and $49,999 and 22.9 percent earned an income between $15,000 and $24,999.
Table 1
EMPLOYED RESIDENTS BY OCCUPATION: CITY OF BARLING
Executive, Administrative, and Managerial 164
Professional Specialty Occupations 119
Technicians and Related Support Occupations 89
Sales 306
Administrative Support, Including Clerical 302
Private Household Occupations 6
Protective Service 4
Service Occupations 253
Farming, Forestry, and Fishing 0
Precision Production, Craft and Repair 232
Machine Operators, Assemblers, and Inspectors 250
Transportation and Material Moving 105
Handlers, Equipment Cleaners, Helpers, and Laborers 94
Total Work Force 1,924
Of the ethnic groups reported by the 1990 census, Barling had a high percentage of whites (90%) and a low percentage of blacks (1%). The population also consisted of 6 percent Vietnamese, 2 percent Native Americans, and 1 percent of residents that reported a race of other. Since the last census, Barling has had a significant increase in its Hispanic population. The average level of education of the residents of Barling is high school graduate.
The City of Barling is located East of Fort Smith. The City is bordered on the North by the Arkansas River. Fort Chaffee borders the City on the East and South. Barling has been effectively "landlocked" since its incorporation in 1956. Barling has been constrained from the normal growth patterns of neighboring cities like Greenwood and Van Buren. Thus, it has evolved into a typical "bedroom" community in which its residents reside in Barling, but work elsewhere. In 1981 City leaders began a series of annexations of the only land that could conceivably be available for development, Fort Chaffee. Over the next decade the City annexed an estimated total of 26,000 acres of the Fort. The 1991 annexation resulted in a legal challenge. A settlement was agreed to by Fort Smith and Barling officials requiring Barling de-annex several hundred acres of land to Fort Smith in exchange for an agreement by Fort Smith to not challenge any annexations to the East of an agreed to municipal boundary separating the two cities. The present Fort Smith municipal landfill is located on that land.
With the passage of BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) legislation by the US Congress in 1995, Fort Chaffee was closed as a U.S. Army facility. The facility was then realigned and licensed to the Arkansas National Guard for operation. Approximately 7,400 acres of Fort Chaffee were declared surplus as part of the realignment. Of the 7,400 acres of surplus land, approximately 5,300 acres are in Barling's city limits. This leaves approximately 20,000 acres of land the City has annexed, but still has not been declared surplus by the Army. This land will not be considered in the land use plan as the City has no practical authority at this time. If future BRAC legislation results in further releases of land, the City will amend its land use plan to accommodate these lands.
The City of Barling has a population of just over 4,000 people giving it a small town, cozy feeling. The characteristics that go along with a small town are what make Barling a great place to live and raise a family. The small city atmosphere brings with it a civic pride that cannot be found in many places. Even though Barling is small, it has all the modern day advantages including active Fire and Police Departments. Residents feel that Barling has great city departments and is a well managed city, including having compassionate city employees. The expression "he knows everyone in town" could very easily apply to any resident of Barling.
Barling has its own elementary school as well as a plentiful number of churches representing a great number of different religions. Barling knows how to take care of its elderly population with a senior citizen center full of activities for the elderly. Another great attribute of the city is its reasonable housing prices, whether you are a young married couple just starting out or a senior citizen looking to retire.
Barling is centrally located in the continental United States. The area offers unique transportation opportunities ideal for commuting, business and industry. The Arkansas River, via U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Trimble Lock and Dam #13 at Barling, provides a major island waterway connecting the nation's midsection to the port of New Orleans. Arkansas Highway 22 provides easy access to nearby Fort Smith. Access to Interstate 40, a major east-west highway, is gained via Arkansas Highway 59 through Van Buren. Arkansas Highway 255 connects the Fort Smith Industrial Park to Interstate 40 by its connection to Highway 59. Future plans call the communities to have Interstate access near Barling with the construction of 1-49 a major north-south interstate highway (currently U.S. Hwy 71). This National Interstate will offer travel from the Canadian Border to Shreveport, Louisiana. The Fort Smith Municipal Airport is located within minutes and offers regional flights with connections to National Air Carriers.
Recreational opportunities abound in the area. Fort Chaffee offers abundant fishing and hunting (in-season) opportunities. The communities of Barling and nearby Lavaca have city parks with lighted facilities. Spring Hill Park offers picnicking and RV camping facilities. Ben Geren Regional Park, located in Fort Smith, offers numerous activities including, but not limited to, swimming, golf, soccer, and baseball. The communities of Fort Smith and Van Buren offer a wealth of shopping, entertainment and recreational activities.
Medical services in the area include two hospitals in Fort Smith and one in Van Buren. A variety of walk-in medical clinics are located nearby. Services for senior citizens are available in Barling and Lavaca. Many churches serve the area with nearly every faith represented.
Barling offers an affordable life-style for family living. Existing and new housing are readily available at very reasonable prices. New construction is paramount in the area and offer some of the best housing values found anywhere in the region.
With everything that Barling and the surrounding areas have to offer, shopping, medical services, affordable housing, recreation and quality family living, what more do you need?