Arkansas County, Arkansas

34°16′27″N 91°23′02″W / 34.27417°N 91.38389°W / 34.27417; -91.38389 Arkansas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,149.[1] Located in the Arkansas Delta, the county has two county seats, DeWitt and Stuttgart.[2]

Arkansas County
County
Clockwise from top: a rice field on the Grand Prairie, the Yancopin Bridge over the Arkansas River, the Southern District Courthouse in DeWitt, the Northern District Courthouse in Stuttgart, Arkansas
Clockwise from top: a rice field on the Grand Prairie, the Yancopin Bridge over the Arkansas River, the Southern District Courthouse in DeWitt, the Northern District Courthouse in Stuttgart, Arkansas
Map of Arkansas highlighting Arkansas County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Map of the United States highlighting Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°16′27″N 91°23′02″W / 34.2742°N 91.3839°W / 34.2742; -91.3839
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedDecember 13, 1813[3]
Named forArkansas River
SeatStuttgart (north district);
De Witt (south district)
Largest cityStuttgart
Area
[4]
 • Total
1,033.79 sq mi (2,677.5 km2)
 • Land988.49 sq mi (2,560.2 km2)
 • Water45.30 sq mi (117.3 km2)  4.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
17,149
 • Density17/sq mi (6.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st

The first of the state's 75 present-day counties to be created, Arkansas County was formed from New Madrid County on December 13, 1813, when this area was part of the Missouri Territory. The county was named after the Arkansas River (itself named for the Arkansas tribe), as was the subsequent Arkansas Territory which was later split off from Missouri Territory and eventually admitted to the union as a state. The riverfront areas in the Arkansas Delta were developed for cotton plantations that used enslaved African Americans. Cotton was the major commodity crop before and after the Civil War. Since then, the county lies within the largest rice-growing region in the United States.

Arkansas County is one of seven present-day counties in the United States that have the same name as the state in which they are located.[5]

History

See also: History of Arkansas

First French Era

Arkansas Post was the site of a French fort, used for negotiating and trading with the Native American tribes to the west, all of whom were allies of the French. However, to the east, the Chickasaw and Choctaw were enemies of the French (the Chickasaw and Choctaw were allied to the British.) The Native American nation in the area who the French traded with the most were the Quapaw people. On May 10, 1749, Arkansas Post was attacked by Chickasaw warriors. The Chickasaw warriors burned the settlement, killed many men, and took women and children as captives. In response to the attack, the French moved the post to Ecores Rouges.[6]

Spanish Era

Depiction of the Battle of Arkansas Post, the only battle of the American Revolutionary War fought in Arkansas

After the French were defeated in the French and Indian War, the territory was surrendered to the Spanish. However, they made no effort assert actual control over the territory, and all Europeans present during the Spanish era were French fur traders who had simply stayed behind.[6]

Second French Era

Napoleon Bonaparte's French army conquered Spain, and Napoleon made his brother the new king of Spain. Napoleon's brother, acting as king of Spain, then "gave" the Louisiana territory back to France.[7][8]

Louisiana Purchase and Territorial Arkansas

The county was created by the Missouri Territorial Legislature on December 31, 1813. It was called Arkansas after the Arkansas River, and the Arkansas tribe of Native Americans. It is one of seven current counties that have the same name as the state in which it is located.[Note 1]

Its original boundaries were New Madrid County to the north, Louisiana to the south, the Mississippi River to the east, and the Indian Boundary Line south of Fort Clark to the west.[3] Arkansas County was within the Missouri Territory until creation of the Arkansas Territory on March 2, 1819.[9]

Statehood and antebellum Arkansas

The county seat was moved from Arkansas Post to DeWitt, a newly established town created at the request of the Arkansas County Quorum Court on February 19, 1853.[10] County government officially held court for the first time in DeWitt in October 1855.[9]

This area was developed for cotton plantations through the antebellum period, based on the labor of enslaved African-American workers. Major planters earned considerable wealth with the commodity crop, for which there was high demand.

Citizens of the county supported the Secession Convention to discuss secession from the Union in 1861 by an 80% to 20% margin. The anti-immediate secession delegates negotiated a compromise to put the question on the statewide ballot in August, but to remain in the Union. Following President Abraham Lincoln's request for troops following the Battle of Fort Sumter, citizens of several counties, including Arkansas County, formed a militia and stormed Little Rock to serve the Confederate government.[11]

Civil War and Reconstruction

Arkansas County initially sent two companies of militia to Little Rock to serve in what would become the 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment: Company H, known as "The Crockett Rifles", and Company K, known as "The DeWitt Guards". A third company joined the 6th Arkansas Infantry Regiment as the "Dixie Grays".[12]

The New South

Main article: The New South

In the post-Reconstruction era, whites directed considerable violence against African Americans, in an effort to restore and maintain white supremacy after Democrats regained power. At the turn of the century, the state legislature passed measures that effectively disenfranchised most blacks for decades. The Equal Justice Initiative reported in 2015 that the county had 18 lynchings of African Americans from 1877 to 1950,[13] most in the decades near the turn of the 20th century. This was the highest of any county other than Phillips, where the Elaine Race Riot is believed to have resulted in more than 200 deaths of African Americans.[13]

To escape the violence and social oppression, thousands of African Americans left the state in the Great Migration to northern industrial cities. They migrated beginning around World War I, increasing the number leaving during and after World War II, when rural jobs had been reduced.

Geography

Photo of a flat, agricultural landscape with a black asphalt roadway running directly toward a tree line on the distant horizon.
Top: Aerial view of the confluence of the Arkansas and White Rivers, with typical forested riparian boundary, trees, and oxbow lakes.
Bottom: Rice field near Stuttgart
See also: Geography of Arkansas and Arkansas Delta

Arkansas County is located in the Arkansas Delta (in Arkansas, usually referred to as "the Delta") a subregion of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, which is a flat area consisting of rich, fertile sediment deposits from the Mississippi River between Louisiana and Illinois.[14]

Within the Delta, Arkansas County is almost entirely within the Grand Prairie subregion, historically a flat grassland plain underlain by an impermeable clay layer (the Stuttgart soil series). Prior to the 19th century, flatter areas with slowly to very slowly permeable soils (often containing fragipans) supported Arkansas's largest prairie, covered in prairie grasses and forbs, with oaks covering the low hills and ridges, and pockets of floodplains with bottomland hardwood forests. This region was a sharp contrast to the bottomland forests that once dominated other parts of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Cropland has now largely replaced the native vegetation. Distinctively, rice is the main crop; soybeans, cotton, corn, and wheat are also grown. The rice fields provide habitat and forage for large numbers and many species of waterfowl; duck and goose hunting occurs at this important spot along the Mississippi Flyway.[15]

Two different eco-regions border the Grand Prairie along the major rivers forming the county's east and southern boundaries: the Arkansas River Holocene Meander Belt and the Western Lowlands Holocene Meanders. These areas of flat floodplain contain the meander belts of the present and past watercourses, point bars, natural levees, swales, and abandoned river channels. Some of the most extensive remaining tracts of native bottomland hardwood forest in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain remain along these rivers. Along the banks of the White River in Arkansas County, these forests are preserved in the White River National Wildlife Refuge.[16]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,033.79 square miles (2,677.5 km2), of which 988.49 square miles (2,560.2 km2) is land and 45.30 square miles (117.3 km2) (4.4%) is water.[4]

The county is located approximately 55 miles (89 km) east of Little Rock, 112 miles (180 km) southwest of Memphis, Tennessee, and 367 miles (591 km) northeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (DFW) in Texas.[Note 2] Arkansas County is surrounded by Prairie County to the north, Monroe County to the northeast, Phillips County to the east, Desha County to the south, Lincoln County to the southwest, Jefferson County to the west, and Lonoke County to the northwest.

Hydrology

See also: List of lakes in Arkansas County, Arkansas
Bald cypress trees along the shores of Lower White Lake

Water is an extremely important part of Arkansas County's geography, history, economy, and culture. The many rivers, streams, and ditches crossing the county have featured prominently since prehistoric times, and many of the hundreds of archaeological sites, including the Menard–Hodges site, are along waterways. The navigability of the Arkansas River has been important for every civilization in Arkansas County since prehistory. Tribes of Quapaw, Casqui, and Mississippian cultures were settled in the area along the rivers. Three major rivers form much of the county's boundaries: Arkansas River, Bayou Meto, and the White River. Within the county, La Grue Bayou is an important watercourse.

Rivers brought early prosperity to the county during white settlement for navigation. The county saw battles for control of the rivers during the American Revolution in 1783 at the Battle of Arkansas Post, and the Civil War in 1862 and 1863 in the Battle of Saint Charles and Battle of Arkansas Post, respectively.

Protected areas

Several agencies own and maintain areas of natural and cultural value for enjoyment and use by residents and visitors of Arkansas County. Along the county's eastern boundary, 99.3 square miles (257 km2) of the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge protect Mississippi lowland forests along the White River. In the western part of the county, 39.3 square miles (102 km2) of the George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) to preserve natural woodlands and wetlands for wintering waterfowl within the Mississippi Flyway. At the southern tip of the county, the bottomland hardwood forest area between the Arkansas and White is preserved in the Trusten Holder WMA. The area is well known for hunting and fishing, and bald eagle watching in winter.[18] The AGFC also maintains the Ethel WMA, a 176-acre (71 ha) area known for small game hunting, formerly open only to residents of Ethel.[19]

The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission maintains two small sites in Arkansas County: the Roth Prairie Natural Area and the Striplin Woods Natural Area. Roth Prairie is a flat 41 acres (17 ha) plot south of Stuttgart, one of the few remaining tallgrass prairies typical of the Grand Prairie prior to leveling and clearing for human settlement.[20] Striplin Woods preserves a very biodiverse section of old growth bottomland hardwood forest along the White River located within the White River NWR, and is comanaged with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.[21]

Along the Arkansas, the Corps maintains a total of 160 campgrounds at Merrisach, Notrebes Bend, Pendleton Bend, and Wilbur D. Mills Use Areas, each with electric hookups, boat ramps, and restroom facilities.[22] The Corps also maintains the Moore Bayou Day Use Area on the Arkansas, providing access to the Arkansas Post Water Trail, and Wild Goose Bayou Day Use Area on the Arkansas Canal.[23]

A "ghost" townsite is laid out at Arkansas Post National Memorial, marking original locations of homes, blacksmith shops, and the first state capitol

The primary cultural site in Arkansas County is Arkansas Post, the historic entrepot near the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers, and early epicenter of white settlement in the region. Founded in 1686, Arkansas Post was established at various sites near the confluence, often moving after flood events. Though remains of the post have been lost by movements of the Arkansas River, a small townsite is preserved as the Arkansas Post National Memorial. The nearby Arkansas Post State Park preserves the history of early settlement on the Grand Prairie through a five-building museum. The central structure is the 1877 Refeld-Hinman dogtrot house.

Demographics

The peak of population in the rural county was 1940. Mechanization and industrial-scale agriculture reduced the number of farm workers, and people have moved away because of the lack of opportunities.

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18301,426—
18401,346−5.6%
18503,245141.1%
18608,844172.5%
18708,268−6.5%
18808,038−2.8%
189011,43242.2%
190012,97313.5%
191016,10324.1%
192021,48333.4%
193022,3003.8%
194024,4379.6%
195023,665−3.2%
196023,355−1.3%
197023,3470.0%
198024,1753.5%
199021,653−10.4%
200020,749−4.2%
201019,019−8.3%
202017,149−9.8%
2023 (est.)16,307[24]−4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[25]
1790–1960[26] 1900–1990[27]
1990–2000[28] 2020[29]

2020 Census

Arkansas County racial composition[30]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 11,575 67.5%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,138 24.13%
Native American 34 0.2%
Asian 94 0.55%
Pacific Islander 9 0.05%
Other/Mixed 663 3.87%
Hispanic or Latino 636 3.71%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,149 people, 7,491 households, and 4,723 families residing in the county.

2010 Census

Racial/Ethnic Makeup of Arkansas County treating Hispanics as a Separate Category (2018)[31]

  White Non-Hispanic (70.0%)
  Black Non-Hispanic (25.8%)
  Native American Non-Hispanic (0.1%)
  Asian Non-Hispanic (0.0%)
  Pacific Islander Non-Hispanic (0.0%)
  Other Non-Hispanic (0.0%)
  Two or more races Non-Hispanic (1.0%)
  Hispanic Any Race (3.1%)

As of the 2010 census,[32] there were 19,019 people, 8,005 households, and 5,306 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km2). There were 9,436 housing units at an average density of 9 units per square mile (3.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 71.8% White, 24.5% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0% Pacific Islander, 1.7% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 2.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,005 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.7 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,230, and the median income for a family was $48,698. Males had a median income of $37,489 versus $25,607 for females.[33] The per capita income for the county was $22,142. About 13.1% of families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.[34]

In 2010, the largest denominational group was the Evangelical Protestants (with 7,709 adherents) and Mainline Protestants (with 2,500 adherents). Almost 29% of people in the county did not claim a religious tradition.[35] The largest religious bodies were The Southern Baptist Convention (with 6,332 members) and The United Methodist Church (with 1,976 members).[35]

2000 Census

Age pyramid Arkansas County[36]

As of the 2000 census,[37] there were 20,749 people, 8,457 households, and 5,970 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8.1 people/km2). There were 9,672 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.19% White, 23.36% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,457 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,316, and the median income for a family was $36,472. Males had a median income of $28,914 versus $21,127 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,401. About 14.10% of families and 17.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.80% of those under age 18 and 15.50% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, the largest denominational group was the Evangelical Protestants (with 10,229 adherents) and Mainline Protestants (with 3,593 adherents).[38] The largest religious bodies were the Southern Baptist Convention (with 5,103 members) and the United Methodist Church (with 2,750 members).[38]

Human resources

Education

See also: Education in Arkansas

Educational attainment in Arkansas County is typical for a rural Arkansas county, with a 2016 study finding 82.5% of Arkansas County residents over age 25 held a high school degree or higher, below Arkansas and national averages of 85.2% and 87.0%, respectively. Arkansas County's proportion of population holding a bachelor's degree or higher is 14.4%, significantly below the state average of 21.5% and national average of 30.3%.[39]

Primary and secondary education

Public school district boundaries in Arkansas County as of July 2016

Two public school districts are based in Arkansas County: Stuttgart Public Schools is the larger of the two school districts in the county, with the DeWitt School District serving most of the rural area of the county. Successful completion of the curriculum of these schools leads to graduation from Stuttgart High School or DeWitt High School, respectively. Both high schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses and are accredited by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE).

Higher education

Within Arkansas County, two branch campuses of Phillips Community College (based in Helena-West Helena) are operated in De Witt and Stuttgart. Public four-year colleges in the area include the University of Arkansas at Monticello in Monticello, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) in Pine Bluff, and several institutions in Little Rock.

Library system

William F. Foster Library in Stuttgart

The Arkansas County Library system is based in Stuttgart and contains three branches: Cleon Collier Memorial Library, DeWitt Public Library, and the William F. Foster Stuttgart Public Library.[40] All three libraries offers books, e-books, media, reference, youth, business and genealogy services.

Public health

Arkansas County's above-average poverty rate indicates a high Medicaid eligibility rate. As of 2012, 31.8% of Arkansas County was eligible for Medicaid, with 72.5% of children under 19 eligible for ARKids First, a program by the Arkansas Department of Human Services that combines children's Medicaid (ARKids A) and other programs for families with higher incomes (ARKids B).[41] The county's population is significantly above healthy weight, with 71.2% of adults and 39.8% of children/adolescents ranking as overweight or obese, compared to the state averages of 67.1% and 39.3%, respectively. These rates are significantly above national averages of 62.9% and 30.3%, respectively.[42]

The Baptist Health hospital system operates the Baptist Health Medical Center-Stuttgart in the city, the only community hospital in Arkansas County.[43] It is rated as a Level 4 Trauma Center by the Arkansas Department of Health.[44] The DeWitt Hospital & Nursing Home is a critical access hospital, which maintains 25 beds, a 60-bed nursing home, and the Ferguson Rural Health Clinic.[45] Both are members of the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership.[46] Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff is a referral hospital in the region.[44]

The nearest Level 1 Trauma Centers are University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) in Little Rock.[44]

Public safety

The Arkansas County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The agency is led by the Arkansas County Sheriff, an official elected by countywide vote every four years. Police departments in Stuttgart, DeWitt, Humphrey, Gillett, and Almyra provide law enforcement in their respective jurisdictions, with St. Charles contracting with the Arkansas County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services.

The county is under the jurisdiction of two separate district courts, both local district courts of original jurisdiction for criminal, civil, small claims, and traffic matters. Local district courts are presided over by an elected part-time judge who may privately practice law. Arkansas County Northern District Court is held in Stuttgart.[47] Arkansas County Southern District Court has departments in DeWitt, Gillett, and St. Charles.[48]

Superseding district court jurisdiction is the 11th East Judicial Circuit Court, which covers all of Arkansas County.[49] The 11th East Circuit contains one judge elected to a six-year term.[50]

Fire protection, prevention and suppression is provided by eleven agencies in Arkansas County, together covering the entire county. The six incorporated municipalities each provide fire protection, in some cases extending beyond corporate limits. Rural areas are served by the Alcorn, Casscoe, Crockett's Bluff, One Horse, and Tichnor volunteer fire departments.[51] All fire departments in Arkansas County are volunteer-based, except the Stuttgart Fire Department.

Culture and contemporary life

Photo of a very rusted industrial-looking pump with tall tube and wheel sits in a flat rice field.
Photo of a rusted structure built of corrugated sheet metal, painted with faded letters reading "Tichnor Dryer & Storage", sitting just behind a tall, cylindrical rice storage elevator.
Several properties related to Arkansas County's rice heritage are listed on the NRHP, including the A.M. Bohnert Rice Plantation Pump (left) and the Tichnor Rice Dryer and Storage Building (right).
Main article: Culture of Arkansas

Arkansas County has several facilities, monuments, and museums dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the area. Several historic log structures remain in the county from the pioneer era. Four facilities interpret the county's natural heritage and unique position on the Grand Prairie, including Arkansas Post State Park,[52] the Museum of the Grand Prairie in Stuttgart,[52] the Potlatch Conservation Education Center in Casscoe,[53] and the Visitor Center at White River NWR in St. Charles.[52] Local history museums include the St. Charles Museum and the Museum of the Grand Prairie in Stuttgart.[52]

Several National Register of Historic Places (NRHP, complete county list) properties in the county relate to Arkansas County's rice heritage, including the A.M. Bohnert Rice Plantation Pump, L.A. Black Rice Milling Association Inc. Office, Tichnor Rice Dryer and Storage Building, and several contributing structures from the DeWitt Commercial Historic District and Stuttgart Commercial Historic District. Several buildings in these districts also were parts of the county's economic and cultural history, including the Riceland Hotel and Standard Ice Company Building in downtown Stuttgart. History of government and public services in the county is preserved in both the Northern District and Southern District courthouses, DeWitt Post Office and Stuttgart Post Office, and the Old Gillett Jail.

Arkansas County hosts two farmer's markets, offering fresh produce, baked goods and crafts: North Market at Main and Sixth streets in Stuttgart and South Market on Highway 165 in DeWitt. Both are open from May through October.[54][55]

Annual cultural events

The most widely known annual cultural event in Arkansas County is the Gillett Coon Supper, described by The Wall Street Journal as "a political rite of passage" for those seeking public office in Arkansas.[56] The meeting of local residents and politicians started in 1943 as a fundraiser serving boiled, and smoked raccoon for the Gillet High School football team, but has remained a tradition long after the school's consolidation.

Waterfowl near Bayou Meto

Perhaps the most popular annual event is duck hunting season between November and January, a tradition dating back to the Illinois Indians who traveled south to Arkansas to hunt. Popular with Arkansans and tourist hunters from across the country, annual hunting trips in Arkansas were first documented by French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet in 1673. Many hunts are organized through hunting clubs (like the historic Crocketts Bluff Hunting Lodge) and usually involve local guides for tourist groups. Public lands are very desirable and fill up quickly; many Arkansans seek to use private lands in Arkansas County to avoid crowds. In the 2016–17 season, the AGFC sold over 100,000 waterfowl stamps, roughly equally split between in-state and out-of-state hunters. The numbers include over 8,000 to out-of-state hunters to hunt on WMAs.[57] Festivities begin during Thanksgiving Week with the World's Championship Duck Calling Contest and Wings Over the Prairie Festival in Stuttgart.

The Arkansas County Fair has been held annually since 1938 at the Arkansas County Fairgrounds in DeWitt during mid-September.

Media

The county newspaper is the Stuttgart Daily Leader, a daily newspaper established in Stuttgart in 1885. Former newspapers include The Free Press and The Stuttgart Republican.[58]

Government

Courtroom in the Northern District Courthouse in Stuttgart
See also: Government of Arkansas, County judge, and Quorum Court

The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of Arkansas and the Arkansas Code. The quorum court is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are called justices of the peace and are elected from county districts every even-numbered year. The number of districts in a county vary from nine to fifteen, and district boundaries are drawn by the county election commission. The Arkansas County Quorum Court has eight members. Presiding over quorum court meetings is the county judge, who serves as the chief operating officer of the county. The county judge is elected at-large and does not vote in quorum court business, although capable of vetoing quorum court decisions.[59][60]

Politics

In Congress, Arkansas has been represented by two Republican senators (John Boozman and Tom Cotton) since January 3, 2015, ending a long history of Democratic hegemony. In the House of Representatives, Arkansas County is within the Arkansas 1st district, which contains the Arkansas Delta. The Arkansas 1st has been represented by Rick Crawford since 2010.

In the Arkansas Senate, Arkansas County is roughly split in half. The northeast half is within the 10th District, which also contains Cross, Jackson, Monroe, Prairie, and Woodruff counties, and parts of Lee, Lonoke, Poinsett, and St. Francis counties. The 10th District has been represented by Ronald Caldwell (R) of Wynne since 2013. The southwestern half of Arkansas County is within the 8th District, which contains Desha County and parts of Drew, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke, Phillips, and Pulaski counties. The 10th District has been represented by Stephanie Flowers (D) of Pine Bluff since 2011.

In the Arkansas House of Representatives, Arkansas County is split among three districts. The 61st District includes De Witt, Stuttgart, and most of the central part of the county, as well as Woodruff County and parts of Jackson, Monroe, and Prairie counties. The 61st District has been represented by Jeremiah Moore (R) of Clarendon since 2023. The eastern part of Arkansas County is within the 62nd District, which also contains Lee and Phillips counties and portions of Monroe and Desha counties. The 62nd District has been represented by Mark D. McElroy (R) of Tillar since 2021. A small part of western Arkansas County is within the 65th District, which also contains parts of Jefferson County. The 65th District has been represented by Vivian Flowers (D) of Pine Bluff since 2015.[61]

United States presidential election results for Arkansas County, Arkansas[62]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,951 71.23% 1,503 27.10% 93 1.68%
2020 4,304 68.40% 1,818 28.89% 170 2.70%
2016 3,826 61.59% 1,939 31.21% 447 7.20%
2012 3,897 60.01% 2,455 37.80% 142 2.19%
2008 4,185 59.97% 2,619 37.53% 174 2.49%
2004 3,789 54.55% 3,110 44.77% 47 0.68%
2000 3,353 52.62% 2,877 45.15% 142 2.23%
1996 1,910 28.52% 4,220 63.00% 568 8.48%
1992 2,594 32.51% 4,709 59.01% 677 8.48%
1988 4,007 55.61% 3,075 42.68% 123 1.71%
1984 4,804 59.99% 3,153 39.37% 51 0.64%
1980 3,409 42.69% 4,303 53.89% 273 3.42%
1976 2,480 30.54% 5,640 69.46% 0 0.00%
1972 5,225 73.46% 1,849 25.99% 39 0.55%
1968 1,806 23.76% 2,019 26.57% 3,775 49.67%
1964 3,769 53.92% 3,200 45.78% 21 0.30%
1960 2,043 38.42% 2,789 52.44% 486 9.14%
1956 2,826 50.15% 2,736 48.55% 73 1.30%
1952 2,697 50.34% 2,648 49.42% 13 0.24%
1948 737 21.96% 1,781 53.07% 838 24.97%
1944 1,031 37.48% 1,711 62.20% 9 0.33%
1940 742 23.69% 2,345 74.87% 45 1.44%
1936 341 14.47% 2,008 85.19% 8 0.34%
1932 494 14.55% 2,867 84.45% 34 1.00%
1928 1,046 41.10% 1,491 58.59% 8 0.31%
1924 488 36.15% 772 57.19% 90 6.67%
1920 1,199 50.23% 1,156 48.43% 32 1.34%
1916 613 35.39% 1,119 64.61% 0 0.00%
1912 249 16.95% 869 59.16% 351 23.89%
1908 672 40.19% 937 56.04% 63 3.77%
1904 470 36.24% 753 58.06% 74 5.71%
1900 598 37.31% 990 61.76% 15 0.94%
1896 550 31.57% 1,175 67.45% 17 0.98%

Taxation

See also: Taxation in the United States

Property tax is assessed by the Arkansas County Assessor annually based upon the fair market value of the property and determining which tax rate, commonly called a millage in Arkansas, will apply. The rate depends upon the property's location with respect to city limits, school district, and special tax increment financing (TIF) districts. This tax is collected by the Arkansas County Collector between the first business day of March of each year through October 15 without penalty. The Arkansas County Treasurer disburses tax revenues to various government agencies, such as cities, county road departments, fire departments, libraries, and police departments in accordance with the budget set by the quorum court.

Sales and use taxes in Arkansas are voter approved and collected by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Arkansas's statewide sales and use tax has been 6.5% since July 1, 2013.[63] Arkansas County has an additional sales and use tax of 1.0%, which has been in effect since January 1, 1998. Within Arkansas County, Almyra and Humphrey have an additional tax of 1.0%, St. Charles has an additional 2.0%, Gillett and Stuttgart an additional 3.0%, and DeWitt an additional 3.5% on top of county rates.[64] The Arkansas State Treasurer disburses tax revenue to counties/cities in accordance with tax rules.

Communities

Streetside in Stuttgart

Four incorporated cities and two incorporated towns are located within the county. Each has seen steady population decline over recent decades. The largest city and northern district county seat, Stuttgart, is located in the north part of the county near the Prairie County line. Stuttgart's population in 2010 was 9,326, and has been declining steadily since a peak of 10,941 at the 1980 Census. DeWitt, centrally located in Arkansas County, is the southern district county seat and second-largest city in the county with a population of 3,292 in 2010. The remaining communities each have populations under 750 as of 2010; Humphrey is partially located in Jefferson County on Arkansas County's western edge, St. Charles is on the White River in the eastern portion of the county, and Gillett in southern Arkansas County. Almyra is located along Highway 130 between DeWitt and Stuttgart.[16]

Unincorporated communities

Arkansas County has dozens of unincorporated communities and ghost towns within its borders. This is due to early settlers in Arkansas tending to settle in small clusters rather than incorporated towns. For example, communities like Ethel have a post office or central density of buildings at some point in their history. Other communities are simply a few dwellings at a crossroads that have adopted a common place name over time. Some are officially listed as populated places by the United States Geological Survey, and others are listed as historic settlements.

Historical communities

Townships

Townships in Arkansas County, Arkansas as of 2010

Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions"). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications. The townships of Arkansas County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [65][66]

Infrastructure

Aviation

Almyra Municipal Airport

The county contains two public owned/public use airports: Almyra Municipal Airport and DeWitt Municipal Airport. Both are small, rural airports with over 50,000 annual operations, almost entirely agricultural spraying operations.[67][68] Stuttgart Municipal Airport is located north of the city, in Prairie County.[69] Arkansas County also contains 16 private airfields.[16]

Major highways

Notes

  1. ^ Hawaii County, Idaho County, Iowa County, New York County, Oklahoma County, and Utah County.
  2. ^ Mileages from Arkansas County to Little Rock, Memphis, and DFW are based on highway miles using northern district county seat Stuttgart for Arkansas County.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Arkansas County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Pictorial" (1890), p. 823.
  4. ^ a b Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation (October 16, 2014). Arkansas County Polygons (SHP file) (Map). Arkansas GIS Office. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  5. ^ Joseph Nathan Kane; Charles Curry Aiken (2005). The American Counties: Origins of County Names, Dates of Creation, and Population Data, 1950-2000. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-5036-1.
  6. ^ a b "Encyclopedia of Arkansas".
  7. ^ History of Joseph Bonaparte: King of Naples and of Italy by John Stevens Cabot Abbott · 1869
  8. ^ Louisiana Purchase - Page 3 by Carole Marsh · 2003
  9. ^ a b Daniels, Charlie (2002). The 1868 Report: A Collection of Historical Documents from Arkansas's First Land Commissioner. Little Rock: Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands. p. 15. ISBN 9781563118333. LCCN 2002111524. OCLC 57004142.
  10. ^ "Pictorial" (1890), p. 830.
  11. ^ "History" (1978), p. 142.
  12. ^ "History" (1978), pp. 142–143.
  13. ^ a b Lynching in America/ Supplement: Lynchings by County[permanent dead link‍], 3rd Edition, 2015, p. 2
  14. ^ Clements, Derek Allen (January 23, 2016). "Randolph County". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  15. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from Woods, A.J.; Foti, T.L.; Chapman, S.S.; Omernik, J.M.; et al. Ecoregions of Arkansas (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 2, 2021. (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs).
  16. ^ a b c Planning and Research Division (January 11, 2011) [September 30, 2009]. General Highway Map, Arkansas County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:62,500. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. OCLC 908640315. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 2, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  17. ^ "Google Maps (Search for Stuttgart, AR)". Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  18. ^ "Trusten Holder WMA". Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  19. ^ "Ethel WMA". Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  20. ^ Roth Prairie Natural Area (PDF) (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. September 19, 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  21. ^ Striplin Woods Natural Area (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. September 19, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  22. ^ "ADPT" (2017), pp. 29–30.
  23. ^ "ADPT" (2017), p. 29.
  24. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  25. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  26. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  27. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  28. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  29. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  30. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  31. ^ "ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, Arkansas County, Arkansas". 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Washington, DC: United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  32. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  33. ^ "Earnings in the Past 12 Months". United States Census Bureau. 2010. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  34. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics". United States Census Bureau. 2010. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  35. ^ a b "County Membership Report, Arkansas County, Arkansas". 2010 U.S. Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  36. ^ Based on 2000 census data
  37. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  38. ^ a b "County Membership Reports". thearda.com. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  39. ^ "American Community Survey". United States Census Bureau. July 1, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  40. ^ "Arkansas County Libraries". Little Rock: Arkansas State Library. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  41. ^ "Profile" (2015), p. 54.
  42. ^ "Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity: Data, Trends and Maps". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  43. ^ "Trauma System Hospitals by Region" (PDF). Arkansas Department of Health. 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  44. ^ a b c "Trauma System Hospitals by Region" (PDF). Arkansas Department of Health. 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  45. ^ Staff of the DeWitt Hospital & Nursing Home. "DeWitt Hospital & Nursing Home". DeWitt Hospital & Nursing Home. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  46. ^ Staff of Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (2018). "Our Hospitals". Arkansas Rural Health Partnership. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  47. ^ Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary. "Arkansas County District Court-Northern District". District Court Directory. Arkansas Judiciary. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  48. ^ Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary. "Arkansas County District Court-Southern District". District Court Directory. Arkansas Judiciary. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  49. ^ Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary (2019). "Arkansas Judicial Circuits" (PDF). Arkansas Judiciary. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  50. ^ Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary. "Eleventh East Judicial Circuit". Circuit Judge Directory. Arkansas Judiciary. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  51. ^ Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, Fire Services Office (2020). Arkansas Fire Districts (SHP) (Map). Various. Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Economic Development Institute, University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Retrieved May 25, 2020 – via Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services.
  52. ^ a b c d "Travel" (2018), p. 218.
  53. ^ "Travel" (2018), p. 212.
  54. ^ Staff of the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism (2018). "Arkansas County Farmers Market: North Market". Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. Archived from the original on July 5, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  55. ^ Staff of the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism (2018). "Arkansas County Farmers Market: South Market". Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. Archived from the original on July 5, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  56. ^ Sider, Alison (January 8, 2016). "For Politicians on the Stump, a Rack of Raccoon Is a Must Eat". The Wall Street Journal. New York, NY: Dow Jones & Co. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  57. ^ "2017-18 Arkansas Waterfowl Hunting Guidebook" (PDF). Little Rock: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. p. 11. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 22, 2022.
  58. ^ "History" (1978), p. 12.
  59. ^ Teske, Steven (March 24, 2014). "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  60. ^ Goss, Kay C. (August 28, 2015). "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  61. ^ Arkansas Economic Development Institute. Arkansas District Finder (Map). Various. Little Rock: University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  62. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  63. ^ "State Tax Rates". Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  64. ^ CONTENTS OF THIS SOURCE CHANGE QUARTERLY.
    "List of Cities and Counties with Local Sales and Use Tax" (PDF). Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
    "JULY – SEPTEMBER 2018 — List of Cities and Counties with Local Sales and Use Tax" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 30, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
    "JANUARY – MARCH 2018 — List of Cities and Counties with Local Sales and Use Tax" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 12, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  65. ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Arkansas County, AR (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  66. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  67. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for M73 PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective July 19, 2018.
  68. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for 5M1 PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective July 19, 2018.
  69. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for SGT PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective July 19, 2018.

Further reading

See also: List of books about Arkansas, including historical information about its counties and cities
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arkansas County, Arkansas.