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Quick FactsPopulation Characteristics:
City County
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1970 9,040 39,253
1980 13,612 50,835
1990 15,180 54,676
2000* 18,928 67,715
Source: UALR Institute for Economic Advancement. Nearest Metropolitan Areas:
ClimateElevation: 245 EconomySearcy's varied economy of agriculture, retail, and industrial business provides a stable base for the area. The city is a distribution center for one of the nation's largest discount chains, and is the home of Arkansas' largest and best-known ice cream manufacturer. Searcy is also home to manufacturers of stainless steel sinks, commercial and household dryers, hydraulic valves, bronze plaques, specialty luncheon meats, leather products, rubber rollers for the printing industry, packaging for food products, small diameter welded tubing for automotive use, freight trailers, oak flooring, and oak furniture. More information about Searcy's major industries and employers is available in the business section of our web pages. TaxesPersonal Property must be assessed between January 1st and April 10th at the White County Assessor's office located in the White County Courthouse on the court square. Sales tax in Arkansas is 6.0% White County has an additional 1.5% tax and Searcy has a .5% tax, for a total of 8.0%. More detailed information regarding taxes is available in the business section of our web pages or call 279-6205. PROPERTY TAX-what is it and why do I have to pay it? The following information is provided to answer some of those questions we have all asked about property taxes. WHY?
IS THERE MORE THAN ONE KIND? Property taxes are based on two kinds of property: "real property" and "personal property." REAL PROPERTY TAX What is "real property" tax? Real property is all tangible real estate that is fixed, immovable property. This includes land and all improvements made to that land, such as buildings, homes, barns. PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX Personal property is everything that is Subject to ownership, tangible and movable, such as cars, boats, livestock, motorcycles, and RV's. Items of household furnishings, clothing, appliances were exempted from personal property tax by Amendment 71 and these items will not be addressed in this article. ASSESSMENTS & MILLAGE Property taxes are based on the "millage rate" applied to the assessed value of all real and personal property owned by the taxpayer. The amount of your property tax bill is determined by two local factors:
Individual property tax bills are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of property by the total millage rate for that location. ASSESSMENTS
MILLAGE RATE
A "mill" equals one-thousandth of a dollar (.001). Therefore, 10 mills = .01 and 50 mills = .05. A 50-mill property tax means you pay $50 for every $1,000 of assessed value. There is a maximum constitutional limit on the number of mills that can be levied by cities and counties. School districts do not have a maximum limit on the number of mills they can levy. However, school districts must levy a 25-mill tax on real and property (Amendment 74). Remember that all millage levies, except those previously noted as exempted, must first be approved by a vote of the people.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS: must levy a 25-mill property tax and there is no maximum levy. However, all school district millages must be approved by voters. Community EventsNewcomers to Searcy will be pleased to know the Arkansas Holiday of Lights Festival is an annual event that runs from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Holiday of Lights activities include a lighted Christmas parade, live entertainment on the courts square, events at the Carmichael Community Center, and arts and crafts fairs. The Arkansas Holiday of Lights festival was named the state's best new festival in 1991. The White County Fair is held each year the week after Labor Day. Harding University sponsors a broad display of local talent at Spring Sing over the Easter weekend each year and during the summer with the Summer Dinner Theater. Searcy is a lot of things to a lot of people. We invite you to have a closer look at Searcy and our people. For more information see the Calendar of Events. TransportationSearcy Municipal Airport can accommodate aircraft up to the GII classification. There is a 6,000 ft. lighted runway and an instrument landing approach (ILS) to the airport. A manned intercom system is active during the business day. Jet fuel is available 24 hours a day and tie-downs are provided free at the Searcy Airport. An average of 50 planes use the Searcy Airport daily. The Little Rock National Airport is 50 miles south of Searcy. A four-lane divided highway connects the two cities. Bus service is available in Searcy by Greyhound Lines. Searcy has local taxi service and rental-car agencies. Rail service for goods into and out of Searcy is provided by the shortline Doniphan, Kensett, and Searcy railroads and the mainline Union Pacific Railroad. The city is served by 13 truck lines. More information about Searcy's transportation infrastructure and services is available in the business section of our web pages.
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