[4] The St. Francis area was settled in the 1840s, with the early residents forming the Chalk Bluff community just northwest of the present city.

In 1882, the St. Louis Southwestern Railway ("Cotton Belt") was constructed through the area, and the Chalk Bluff community gradually shifted southeastward to a location along the railroad tracks.

It is bordered on the east by the St. Francis River, which forms the Arkansas–Missouri state line.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, St. Francis has a total area of 0.37 square miles (0.95 km2), all land.

The racial makeup of the city was 96.80% White, 1.20% Native American, and 2.00% from two or more races.