Huntsville, Arkansas
City
Huntsville Commercial Historic District
Flag Logo
Motto:  "Crossroads of the Ozarks"[1]
Location in Madison County, Arkansas
Coordinates: 36°05′55″N 93°44′11″W / 36.09861°N 93.73639°W / 36.09861; -93.73639
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Madison
Government
• Mayor	Travis Dotson [2]
Area [3]
• Total	5.40 sq mi (13.98 km2)
• Land	5.38 sq mi (13.94 km2)
• Water	0.019 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation [4]	1,486 ft (453 m)
Population  (2020)[5]
• Total	2,879
• Estimate  (2025)[6]	3,576
• Density	535.0/sq mi (206.55/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	72740
Area code	479
FIPS code	05-33970
GNIS feature ID	2404747[4]
Website	www.huntsvillearkansas.org

Huntsville is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,879 at the 2020 census,^[5] up from 2,346 in 2010. During the American Civil War in 1862, it was the site of what became known as the Huntsville Massacre. Huntsville is part of the Northwest Arkansas region.

The city is named after Huntsville, Alabama, the hometown of some early settlers.^[7]

In 1863, eight suspected Confederate sympathizers were extrajudicially executed by the Union Army, one survived. Huntsville incorporated as a town after the Civil War in 1877.^[8] The community was incorporated as a city on July 16, 1925.^[9]

Huntsville is located north of the center of Madison County in the northwest part of the Arkansas Ozarks. Via U.S. Route 412 it is 28 miles (45 km) east of Springdale and 47 miles (76 km) west of Harrison.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.4 square miles (14 km²), of which 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²), or 0.33%, are water.^[3] Town Branch flows northward through the east side of the city, ending at Holman Creek in the northern part of the city. Holman Creek flows north into War Eagle Creek, which continues northwest to the White River east of Springdale.

Mayor–city council

Huntsville operates within the mayor–city council form of government. The mayor is elected by a citywide election to serve as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the city by presiding over all city functions, policies, rules and laws. Once elected, the mayor also allocates duties to city employees. The Huntsville mayoral election in coincidence with the election of the president of the United States. Mayors serve four-year terms and can serve unlimited terms. The city council is the unicameral legislative of the city, consisting of eight aldermen. Also included in the council's duties is balancing the city's budget and passing ordinances. Two aldermen are elected from each of the city's four wards.^[15]

Travis Dotson, Mayor

Abraham Travis Dotson has served Huntsville through multiple elected and appointed roles, beginning as a Planning Commissioner in 2019 and Alderman for Ward 1 in 2021 before being elected Mayor in 2023. His background includes 15 years with the City of Fayetteville and recognition as the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Business Person of the Year. As Mayor, he is focused on responsible growth, strong city services, and a collaborative approach to community leadership.^{[16][better source needed]}

Kevin Shinn, Fire Chief

Kevin Shinn has been the fire chief for the City of Huntsville since 2015. Shinn has been a member of the Huntsville Fire Department since 1985 and has served as a Captain and Assistant Chief before being promoted to Chief.^[17]

Huntsville Fire Department

The Huntsville Fire Department was organized shortly after WWII and formally recognized by the Insurance Services Office, the organization that establishes Public Protection Classifications, and the state of Arkansas in 1953. Since its inception, it has been staffed by volunteers within the community to respond to emergency situations ranging from fires to medical calls, to water rescues, vehicle extrications, and high angle rope rescues. ^[18]

The members pride themselves on being aggressive with fire attacks, compassionate with medical assists, and ever ready to meet the challenges of those in imminent danger. ^[19]

The Huntsville Fire Department is currently a combination fire department and holds an ISO Public Protection Classification of 3.^[20]

Joshua Herring, Police Chief

Joshua Herring has been the City of Huntsville Police Chief since 2025.^[21]

Huntsville Police Department

Since its establishment in 1985, the Huntsville Police Department has been dedicated to safeguarding our citizens and fostering a secure environment for everyone. Our team of 13 full-time uniformed officers and two dedicated office staff members are committed to serving you with integrity and professionalism.^[22]

The Huntsville School District provides public elementary and secondary education leading to graduation at Huntsville High School.

The Huntsville Public Library, part of the Madison Carroll and Madison Library System, is located at 827 N. College Street, which provides patrons of the library system access to print books, publications, multimedia content, internet access, public computer access, as well as access to an Interlibrary loan system.^[24]

• Joe Berry, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Athletics, and Cleveland Indians
• Orval E. Faubus, 36th governor of Arkansas during the desegregation days; lived in Huntsville as a youth, having been born in the nearby Combs community
• Ronnie Hawkins, legendary rockabilly musician; his band The Hawks later became The Band; born in Huntsville
• Gary Miller, Republican congressman from California; born in Huntsville^[26]
• Isaac Murphy, politician who lived and worked in Huntsville; elected as governor in 1863 after Union occupation of Little Rock
• Danny L. Patrick, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Madison and Carroll counties from 1967 to 1970; taught school in Huntsville from 1964 to 1971^[27]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Huntsville, Arkansas.

• Official website
• City-Data.com, comprehensive statistical data and more about Huntsville