DeWitt is a rural city with a love of hunting and community
DeWitt is known for two things: rice farming and duck hunting. The Mississippi Delta community’s residents have practiced both since the early 1800s, and the area keeps its rural spirit alive today. “It’s a small town where everybody looks out for each other,” says Katie Moyer, the assistant director at the DeWitt Public Library. Moyer says the library gets between 15 and 20 visitors on a typical day — some to check out books and others to use its computers. The city has a handful of restaurants and places to relax.
A mix of homes for far below the national median sale price
Ranch-style houses, cottages and mobile homes sit throughout the city. The median sale price is around $125,000, far below the U.S. median. On average, DeWitt homes sell after nearly 120 days on the market, more than double the national average. Large parcels of land are also available for development, generally ranging from $3,000 to $25,000 per acre. The car-centric community's asphalt roads usually do not have sidewalks. Streets are placed in grid-like patterns and often have mature trees on the side.
International cuisine, a food pantry and the Arkansas County Farmers Market
Ameca Bar & Grill has authentic Mexican entrees, and Catfish Shack serves Southern-style food in a no-frills environment. Customers at Dragon Garden get access to an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet. The community also has chain eateries like Subway and Sonic. Piggly Wiggly fills residents’ grocery needs, while Family Dollar and Dollar General carry essentials. The Arkansas County Farmers Market, at the Phillips Community College Pavilion, opens Monday and Wednesday mornings and Friday afternoons. Stores like Havoc Calls outfit hunters with things they will need in the field. The area has several churches, including DeWitt Methodist Church, which support the area’s Caring and Sharing Food Pantry.
The DeWitt School District helps students plan for the future
Students are served by the DeWitt School District. They can attend DeWitt Elementary School, which holds a B Niche grade. DeWitt Middle School earns a B-plus. DeWitt High School offers career-focused classes like financial planning, cybersecurity and robotics. It receives a B score. The city is also home to the Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, DeWitt Campus.
Duck hunting, playgrounds and fishing in the countryside
Ducks populate the area’s rice fields each winter because of DeWitt’s position along the Mississippi Flyway, a main route birds use when migrating south. Duck hunting season is typically on select dates from November through January. Deer hunting is also popular. That season often runs from late September through February if using a bow; if using modern firearms, it usually lasts from early November through mid-December. The nearby Sportsman’s Getaway Lodge gives outdoorsmen a place to stay overnight.
For non-hunters, DeWitt City Park has a playground and a mile-long walking trail. It is next to Mitchell Lake, where anglers can fish for free. In addition to its books and computers, the DeWitt Public Library runs a summer reading program for kids each year.
Access to major highways, but summers are humid
U.S. Route 165 and Arkansas Highway 1 pass through the region. Little Rock is about 80 miles away, as is Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport. “There’s no trouble getting in and out of town,” Moyer says. The area typically has muggy summers and short but cold winters with occasional snowstorms.
