Facts About Jonesboro
- In 1859, land was taken from nearby Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett counties and was used to form Craighead County. Jonesboro was designated as the original county seat.
- Jonesboro is the home of Arkansas State University and is the cultural and economic centre of Northeast Arkansas.
- In 2022, the city had an estimated population of 79,876, making it the fifth-most populous city in Arkansas.
- Jonesboro is located at 35°49′41″N 90°41′39″W (35.828067, -90.694048), atop Crowley’s Ridge in northeastern Arkansas.
- Jonesboro was officially established on the 19th of February, 1859.
- Jonesboro was named after State Senator William A. Jones in recognition of his support for the formation of Craighead County. Originally spelt Jonesborough, the city name was later shortened to its present-day spelling.
- During the Civil War, Jonesboro played a crucial role as a strategic location, hosting the Battle of Jonesboro in 1864, a pivotal engagement in General William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign.
- In 1973, Jonesboro experienced a catastrophic tornado that caused widespread destruction and left a profound impact on the city and its residents.
- According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 80.5 square miles of which 79.9 square miles is land and 0.58 square miles is water.
- On March 28, 2020, Jonesboro was hit by a powerful EF3 tornado, inflicting significant damage to The Mall at Turtle Creek. The disaster resulted in at least twenty minor injuries and two severe injuries.
