Harrisburg overlooks the Delta from Crowley’s Ridge
Harrisburg holds true to its agricultural history in the Arkansas Delta. The city of around 2,200 became the seat of Poinsett County thanks to its location west of Crowley’s Ridge, a chain of verdant highlands that runs from Missouri to Arkansas, towering over the Delta. “It’s a great little town as far as small-town living goes; people that live there love it,” says longtime local Rick McKenzie, executive broker of Crye-Leike. “Lots of farmers live there, and farmland is in every direction around it.” Agricultural exports from Harrisburg include rice, soybeans and cotton.
Ridge properties offer scenic views but are in short supply
Prices in Harrisburg range from less than $100,000 to the low $400,000s. The community has a mix of vintage homes, including bungalows and farmhouses from the early 1900s. Contemporary properties, built after 1970, are also popular, including ranch-style houses and New Traditional properties. Half-, full- and multi-acre lots are common; however, McKenzie says, “Acreage on the ridge is in high demand and low supply because you get pretty rolling hills and a lot of tree-covered area up there instead of just flat farmland.” Properties in special flood zones may need flood insurance for a federally backed mortgage. Poinsett County is vulnerable to tornadoes, windstorms and flooding.
All three Harrisburg schools earn a C-plus from Niche
The Harrisburg School District, graded C-plus on Niche, serves a little over 1,000 students across three schools. Harrisburg Elementary, Harrisburg Middle and Harrisburg High also earn C-plus grades. Advanced Placement courses available at the high school include AP Biology, AP Chemistry and AP Government. As for higher education, Arkansas State University offers over 70 undergraduate programs in nearby Jonesboro.
Outdoor fun from ballfields to boating around Harrisburg
Athletes can find ballfields at Maddox Park and Lawrence Reddman Municipal Park, where the local Little League practices; both parks also host other youth sports. For more rustic recreation, Lake Poinsett State Park is within a 5-mile drive, situated in the hilly heart of Crowley’s Ridge. The state park is a popular getaway for boating, kayaking, fishing, camping and more. It features a mile-long trail loop through a forest of mature oaks, cottonwoods and pines by Lake Poinsett, an over 600-acre reservoir.
Shopping and dining options along Harrisburg’s main road
Arkansas Highway 1, or Illinois Avenue, is the main drag for daily shopping, dining and other errands in Harrisburg. Edwards Food Giant is the primary grocery store in town, but there’s also DG Market on the north side. Nearby chain fast-food joints include McDonald’s and Sonic. More local fare ranges from the traditional Mexican favorites served at Iguanas Mexican Restaurant to Little Piggy BBQ’s meaty entrees.
Closest hospital and airport are located in Jonesboro
There is no public transportation available in Harrisburg, and residents here rely on their own vehicles to get around. Arkansas Highway 1 is a direct route to Jonesboro, roughly 20 miles north. The city has the closest hospital, St. Bernards Medical Center. Jonesboro Municipal Airport has daily flights to St. Louis, Missouri, and Nashville, Tennessee.
Written By
Micaela Willoughby
