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Van Buren, Arkansas

28 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1879 and the latest in 1997. It stands in District 6. It lies in ZIP code area 72956. The Survey maps it on the Van Buren quadrangle. 23,218 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 400 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Van Buren within Crawford County

On record in Van Buren

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 12 of 19 shown

Every listing in Crawford County

Population over time

2 figures

Van Buren grew from 22,791 to 23,218 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
201022,791
202023,218+427 (+2%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

15 surveys from 28 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Fires near this place

65 since 1997

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 65 fires within 5 miles of Van Buren between 1997 and 2020, burning about 311 acres in total. None started naturally. 8 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning29
Missing data/not specified/undetermined13
Arson/incendiarism8
Equipment and vehicle use6
Misuse of fire by a minor5
Smoking3
Railroad operations and maintenance1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
9 September 2013Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
20 September 2000Arson/incendiarism50 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
17 September 2000Debris and open burning2.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
15 September 2013Missing data/not specified/undetermined2.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
13 September 1999Debris and open burning3.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
4 August 2011Arson/incendiarism4.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
3 August 2011Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
3 August 2011Arson/incendiarism1.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Crawford County

Mines and quarries near this place

10 of 13 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 13 workings within 5 miles of Van Buren: 8 past producers, 4 producers, 1 plant. 5 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Stone, Zinc, Flagstone. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
(Facility) Zinc SmelterZincPlant
Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co QuarryFlagstonePast Producer
UnkStoneProducer
UnkStonePast Producer
Arkhola Dredge & PlantSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Ashland Sand& GravelSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Fort Smith Dredge & PlantSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
UnkSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnkSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnkSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every working recorded in Crawford County

Storms near this place

60 of 171 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Van Buren in 171 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 70 thunderstorm wind, 61 hail, 21 flash flood, 11 flood. The reports record 56 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
April 1996Tornado (F3)Van Buren49 hurt, $150,000,000no account filed
February 1997Thunderstorm WindVan Buren3 hurt, $170,000no account filed
November 2018Tornado (EF2)Van Buren2 hurt, $2,500,000This tornado developed north of I-40 and just west of Lee Creek Road where homes sustained minor roof damage, trees were uprooted, and the roofs of several apartment complexes were damaged. The tornado moved northeast across Rena Road, damaging numerous homes, some severely, snapping three large wooden utility structures, and snapping and uprooting numerous trees. The tornado then crossed Uniontown Road and Fayetteville Road near Rena, and dissipated as it approached N Rudy Road. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 110 to 120 mph.
May 2021Tornado (EF1)Van Buren1 hurt, $15,000,000This is the fourth segment of a four segment tornado. After moving back into Crawford County, the tornado removed a large portion of the roof of the Crawford County Courthouse in Van Buren. Numerous homes and businesses were also damaged in Van Buren, and numerous power poles and trees were snapped by the tornado. This very large tornado then moved northeast across portions of Rudy and Alma, and then dissipated southeast of Mountainburg. Many trees were snapped or uprooted, outbuildings were destroyed, homes and businesses were damaged, and numerous power poles were snapped. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 100 to 110 mph.
June 2025Tornado (EF1)Van Buren1 hurt, $500,000This tornado developed in southeast Van Buren, near S 4th Street and Wood Street. The tornado moved rapidly northeast into the area just south of the Baptist Health-Van Buren complex. A commercial building was damaged, along with multiple homes on Ozier Street, Mulberry Street, and S 19th Street. Winds that reached near 105 mph blew in walls that contained windows of two homes. This over-pressured the two homes, resulting in one home losing its entire roof, and the other losing a substantial portion of its roof. The tornado also uprooted trees and blew down power poles. The tornado quickly dissipated, lasting a little more than one minute.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$500,000Thunderstorm winds blew down a communications tower.
April 2008HailVan Buren$150,000Baseball size hail damaged homes, automobiles, and businesses.
April 2016HailVan Buren$100,000no account filed
April 2011HailVan Buren$100,000no account filed
May 2011Tornado (EF1)Van Buren$50,000This is the second of two segments of this tornado. In Crawford County, this tornado destroyed several barns, damaged several permanent homes, blew siding off a metal building, and snapped or uprooted a number of large trees.
November 1994Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$50,000Thunderstorm winds destroyed a garage and knocked over several storage sheds.
April 2011HailVan Buren$50,000no account filed
April 2026Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$25,000Strong thunderstorm wind split a tree, and a large portion of it fell onto a house on Sylvan Hills Road.
July 2015Flash FloodVan Buren$25,000Major roadways in downtown Van Buren were flooded and several cars were stranded in high water.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$25,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down numerous trees. Power lines were also knocked down causing power outages.
April 2011HailVan Buren$25,000no account filed
July 2023Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$20,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree onto a house on Mulberry Street.
June 2025Tornado (EF0)Van Buren$15,000This is the second segment of a two segment tornado. The tornado crossed the Arkansas River and moved into the Port of Van Buren. It damaged a fabric and metal storage building, and damaged the roof of another building. The tornado dissipated as it left the port area. It produced a tornadic debris signature from the KSRX WSR-88D radar. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 80 to 85 mph.
August 2009Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$15,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew a tree onto a car.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$15,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down numerous trees. In addition, the roof of the Boys and Girls Club was severely damaged.
June 1996Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$15,000no account filed
April 2026Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$10,000Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs and damaged the roofs of several homes.
August 2018Flash FloodVan Buren$10,000Heavy rain resulted in several roads being flooded and closed in Van Buren. Vehicles were stranded in high water.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$10,000Strong thunderstorm wind severely damaged the roof of a business.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$10,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew down several trees and snapped numerous large tree limbs. The wind also damaged several homes.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$10,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew out some windows in downtown Van Buren.
April 2012Flash FloodVan Buren$10,000Several roads were reported flooded across the southern portion of the county with several vehicles stalled in the flood water.
August 2011Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$10,000Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs and lifted a boat dock out of the water, overturning it onto the shore.
August 1999Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$10,000Winds estimated at 60 miles an hour blew down several trees in Van Buren. A trailer was blown over at the Van Buren Industrial Park.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$5,000Strong thunderstorm wind snapped power poles and blew down trees. An Emergency Manager measured wind gusts to 60 mph with these storms.
October 2007Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$5,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down trees and power lines across the City of Van Buren.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$5,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down numerous large trees and power lines.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$5,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down large tree limbs and power lines.
April 1993Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$5,000Thunderstorm winds blew down several signs.
August 2011Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$4,000A carport was picked up by strong thunderstorm winds and blown across the road.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$3,000Strong thunderstorm wind peeled sheet metal from a roof.
May 2004Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$3,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an blew down several trees and did some minor damage to the roofs of houses.
June 2001Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$3,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down trees and power lines.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$2,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew down numerous trees and power lines.
July 2019Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$2,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew down power lines in Van Buren.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$2,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew out the windows of a building on Washington Street. Multiple large trees were also blown down across the county.
November 1998Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$2,000Sheriffs office reported large tree limbs blown down countywide.
April 1996Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$2,000no account filed
July 2006Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$1,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew a tree down onto a power line.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$500Trees were blown down along SH 59 in Van Buren
April 1999Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$200Trees were blown down in Van Buren.
August 1999Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$200Two trees were blown down.
April 2001Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$100Thunderstorm winds blew down large tree limbs.
February 1999Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$100A large tree was blown down.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$100Tree limbs were blown down in Van Buren.
November 1998Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$100Several large tree limbs were blown onto a road in Van Buren. The branches even caused a traffic accident. (Damage value from accident not included in this entry since the winds were the indirect cause of the accident.)
June 1998Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$100A large tree limb was knocked down by thunderstorm winds.
April 1997Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$100no account filed
September 1996Thunderstorm WindVan Buren$100no account filed
June 2025Thunderstorm WindVan Buren-Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a large tree.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindVan Buren-Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated to 70 mph.
February 2023Thunderstorm WindVan Buren-Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated to 60 mph.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindVan Buren-Strong thunderstorm wind blew down several large trees in Van Buren.
May 2022FloodVan Buren-The Arkansas River near Van Buren rose above its flood stage of 22 feet at 12:30 pm CDT on May 5th. The river crested at 27.33 feet at 11:00 am CDT on the 6th, resulting in moderate flooding. Extensive lowland flooding occurred east of the I-540 bridge, and businesses in the floodplain were flooded. Monetary damage from this flood was unknown. The river fell below flood stage at midnight on the 8th.
May 2021Tornado (EF1)Van Buren-This is the second segment of a four segment tornado. The tornado uprooted trees as it moved across this small portion of Crawford County, before crossing the Arkansas River and moving into Sebastian County. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 90 to 100 mph.

Every storm recorded in Crawford County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Smeltzer2.4 miles28
Eastgate Place2.8 miles28
Shibley3.0 miles28
Oak Grove3.1 miles28
Rena3.5 miles28
Wright Town3.5 miles28
Furry3.9 miles28
Catcher4.3 miles28

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on Van BurenAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q79696The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 78647. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.