Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Little Rock, Arkansas
State Arkansas
City Little Rock*
County1 Pulaski
City Population (2005)2 176,924 6.5 % of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) (Not Available)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 59 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Small
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Little Rock
State Population (2005)2 2,701,431
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Mark Stodola
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.littlerock.org/MayorsOffice/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 501-371-4510
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Non-Partisan
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 2, 2010
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06 Yes
State Governor Name Mike Beebe
State/Governor Website http://www.state.ar.us/
State/Governor Contact Information 501-682-2345
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.25    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 15.8%    
     Disability Status 20.2% 57  
     Emphysema 1.24% 54  
     Cardiovascular Disease 24.97% 52  
     Diabetes 5.28% 53  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.61% 68  
     Adult Asthma 7.49% 19  
     Adult Obesity 21.7%   34
     People Without Health Insurance 17.1%   39
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.1% 26  
     Age: 65 years and over 11.6% 51  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 23.0% 39  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 14.1% 51  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 47.1% 29  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 5.8% 8  
     Individuals Below Poverty 14.3% 25  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 20.9% 36  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 48.5% 26  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 6.2% 6  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 31.9 (of 51) 37  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 39,422,400 pounds   25
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 74,057,855 pounds 35
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 26,582,309 pounds 42
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 433,484,906 pounds 30
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 396,835,443 pounds 27
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 41.2 grams 28
Number of Superfund Sites in County 2 sites 37  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.120 tons per person 33
Recycling Rate (1997) 36.0% 9
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 2,826,602 tons 17
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.0 tons/person 6
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 558,216 tons 33
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 19.7% 27
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 1.3% 26
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) -10.7% 11
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -45.3% 41
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    2.1***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 70,700 tons   19
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 42,100 tons   15
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 29,167,200 tons   17
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 910.0 pounds   19
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 4.7 days 29  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 1.3 PM2.5 27  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 14.1 PM2.5 42  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 3.7 days 26  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 0.3 PM2.5 10  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 13.2 PM2.5 39  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 2 ppm 5  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.014 ppm 16  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.002 ppm 8  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 1 day 3  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    2.2***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Lower Arkansas-Maumelle ---  
# of Units in Watershed 27 units 45  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 16 units 43  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 0 units 1  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 0.0% 1  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 40.7% 50  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 50.86 inches 7  
Water Area Total, square miles 1,107 square miles 43  
Water Area Inland, square miles 1,107 square miles 33  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Little Rock ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 56 years 33  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 105 days 38  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Little Rock ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 56 years 29  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 5.2 inches 43  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 8,800,000,000 gallons/day 35  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 3.540,000,000 gallons/day 7  
Ground water, gallons/day 5,460,000,000 gallons/day 17  
Surface water, gallons/day 3,340,000,000 gallons/day 54  
Irrigation, gallons/day 5,940,000,000 gallons/day 24  
Public Supply, gallons/day 419,000,000 gallons/day 53  
Industrial, gallons/day 187,000,000 gallons/day 53  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 1,780,000,000 gallons/day 45  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 4,140,000,000 gallons/day 20  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Central Arkansas Water ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 360,000 people 50  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 18 contaminants 42  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 2 contaminants 14  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 3 contaminants 21  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 6 contaminants 18  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 11 contaminants 55  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 5 contaminants 58  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 5 contaminants 18  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 18 contaminants 42  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 149 contaminants 18  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 125 contaminants 15  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 24 contaminants 24  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score)    2.8***    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 1,576.0 people per square mile 65  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 729.7 housing units per square mile 61  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 25.5 minutes 50  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 19.5 minutes 18  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 12.2% 48  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 4.7% 32  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 3.3% 37  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 3.3% 18  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 90.9 4  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 69.9 MV registrations   8
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 20.0%   7
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 35.4 MV registrations   6
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.95 MV registrations   5
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 98,541 miles   35
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.430%   30
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 11.0%   40
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.05 miles   42
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 52.17 miles   46
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $1,176,000,000   21
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $11,934 per mile   6
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 76.6%   41
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $37,572 42  
Median Household Income (2000) $37,572 37  
Per capita income (2004) $23,209 26  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $23,209 14  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 11.1% 26  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 14.3% 29  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 14.3% 25  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 2.7% 12  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 20.9% 36  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 5,348 people 8  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 3.9% 9  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.8% 8  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 3.9% 35  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 6.0% 35  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -0.4% 14  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -3.4% 15  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 32,246 kids (1.2 % of total pop.) 60  
Largest School District Enrollment 25,502 kids (0.9 % of total pop.) 60  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 48.5% 26  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 52.9% 41  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 85.9% 22  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 35.5% 18  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 23% 39  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade D   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Poor   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Poor   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 77,352 units 57  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 42.6% 42  
Cost of Living: Housing 64.1 23  
Cost of Living: Utilities 101.9 34  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 94.9 6  
Cost of Living: Overall 84.0 15  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 64.65%   22
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 45.40%   42
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 56.60%   26
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 26.3%   38
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 10,507.4 incidents per 100,000 people 70  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,639.9 incidents per 100,000 people 66  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 8,867.5 incidents per 100,000 people 68  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 11,591.2 incidents per 100,000 people 70  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score)    4.0***    
Average # of Parks, per square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Parkland as % of City Area (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % 27.4% 10  
Total City Urbanized Area % 58.1% 36  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 3.5    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.61% 68
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 7.49% 19
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.15% 46
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.24% 54
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 24.97% 52
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 5.28% 53  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 21.7% 34
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 9.0% 30
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) (Not Available) ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 18.0% 43
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 8.3% 41
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 212.6 44
Cost of Living: Health 92.6 9  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 16.9% 36
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 17.1% 39
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 1.2% 30
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.2% 30
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 2 farms 63
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 3 markets 55
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 0 restaurants 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 1 grocery store 40
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 0 other sources 57
Cost of Living: Food 96.0 15
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 99.6% 68
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 45.2% 53
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.6***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 25 kW   21
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 100 kW   9
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs None   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems No   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED or Green Globe certification Recommended (for state agencies)   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 8.9%   14
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 35 years 57
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 60% 19
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.8 mph 50
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.4 mph 42
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6.7 mph 52
Heating Degree Days 3,155 days 18
Cooling Degree Days 2,005 days 49
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 34 years 45
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 83% 46
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 57% 28
Elevation, feet 335 feet 33
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 176,924 59 (of 72 in EDN study) 6.5 % of state population
City Population (2000) 183,133 59 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 2,701,431 32 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region South ---  
EPA Region 6 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 116.0 square miles 39 0.2 % of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 52,075 square miles 27  
Watershed Name Lower Arkansas-Maumelle ---  
Elevation, feet 335 ft. (101.9 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 40.1 °F (4.5°C) 31
Average Daily Temperature - July 82.4 °F (28.0°C) 57  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 34.5 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 75.3% 21  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 11.6% 21  
Under 5 years of age 12,989 kids (7.1% of total pop.) 60  
One Race-White % (2005) 52.0% 48  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 48.0% 25  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 2.5% 64  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 6.2% 66  
Largest School District Name Little Rock ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network