| Official Name: | Oark, Arkansas |
| Settlement Type: | Census-designated place |
| Pushpin Map: | Arkansas#USA |
| Pushpin Label: | Oark |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Arkansas |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Johnson |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 43 |
| Timezone: | Central (CST) |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Elevation Ft: | 1030 |
| Coordinates: | 35.6922°N -93.5733°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 72852 |
| Area Code: | 479 |
| Blank Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank Info: | 2805670 |
Oark is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States. Oark is located on Arkansas Highway 215, 16miles northwest of Clarksville. It was first listed as a CDP in the 2020 census with a population of 43.[1]
Oark has a post office with ZIP Code 72852.[2] The community is surrounded by the Ozark National Forest with the scenic Mulberry River nearby. The origin of the town’s name is unknown, although many believe it came from French trappers that frequented this isolated valley in the 18th century.
The Mulberry River valley has been the site of human habitation for thousands of years. Archeologists believe that bluff-dwelling cultures thrived here as late as 500 B.C., and later the Osage Indians claimed the valleys drained by the Mulberry River as part of their hunting grounds. French trappers frequented the area as far back as the mid-17th century.
Public education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by the Jasper School District, which includes:
The campus is also the site of the "Tri-Centennial Tree" - an ancient southern red oak estimated to be over 300 years old. There is a historic marker on Highway 215 in front of the school commemorating the dedication of the tree in 2012.
On July 1, 2004, the Oark School District, along with the Kingston School District, merged into the Jasper district.[3]
| White alone (NH) | 37 | 86.05% | |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 1 | 2.33% | |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 5 | 11.63% | |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Total | 43 | 100.00% |