As of the census of 2000, there were 1,313 people, 594 households, and 355 families residing in the city. The population density was 506.1 people per square mile. There were 712 housing units at an average density of 274.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 98.32% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 1.30% Native American, 0.30% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 594 households out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.81. In the city, the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 29.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.5 males. The median income for a household in the city was $18,846, and the median income for a family was $27,500. Males had a median income of $22,857 versus $14,107 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,772. About 20.0% of families and 27.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.4% of those under age 18 and 25.7% of those age 65 or over.
History
The community was named for John Marshall, chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Although Marshall was mostly destroyed during the Civil War, it grew during the 19th century. The Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad sped the growth of the town during the early 20th century. However, the post-World War I slump hit the area economies hard, causing an effect well known to other parts of the country.
Education
Public education for elementary and secondary school students is available from the Searcy County School District, including Marshall ABC Preschool, Marshall Elementary School, Leslie Intermediate School in Leslie, and Marshall High School. Marshall High's mascot is the bobcat. The Marshall High girls basketball team won back-to-back Class AAA state championships in 2007 and 2008. In 1866 a tuition-based school opened in Marshall. The Arkansas Legislature established the Marshall School District in 1909. On July 1, 2004, the Marshall district and the Leslie School District consolidated to form the Searcy County School District. Originally a PreK-6 school serving all elementary grades for Marshall, Marshall Elementary School was reconfigured in 2012 as a K-4 serving the entire school district, then as K-3 in 2014. In 2012 Leslie Elementary School in Leslie was reconfigured as Leslie Intermediate School, an upper elementary school serving the whole district.
Jim L. Smithson - Republican state legislator from Searcy County from 1975 to 1984. A pharmacist, he worked to obtain generic drugs as a substitute for prescription medications when feasible. He was elected mayor of Marshall in 2010.
