Lawrence County, Arkansas

Lawrence County
County
Lawrence County Courthouse
Lawrence County Courthouse
Map of Arkansas highlighting Lawrence County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Map of the United States highlighting Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°01′50″N 91°06′47″W / 36.030555555556°N 91.113055555556°W / 36.030555555556; -91.113055555556
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedJanuary 15, 1815
Named forJames Lawrence
SeatWalnut Ridge
Largest cityWalnut Ridge
Area
 • Total
592 sq mi (1,530 km2)
 • Land588 sq mi (1,520 km2)
 • Water4.7 sq mi (12 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
16,216
 • Density27/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.lawrencecountyarkansas.com

Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,216.[1] The county seat is Walnut Ridge.[2] Lawrence County is Arkansas's second county, formed on January 15, 1815, and named for Captain James Lawrence who fought in the War of 1812.[3] It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

History

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Following the Louisiana Purchase, the area currently encompassing Lawrence County was contained within the Louisiana Territory from 1805 to 1812, and the Missouri Territory from 1812 until the creation of Arkansas Territory in 1819. While the southern portion of Missouri Territory began to be settled, Lawrence County was created on January 15, 1815, from New Madrid County and Arkansas County. The large area spanned from Cape Girardeau County to the Arkansas River.[4]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 592 square miles (1,530 km2), of which 588 square miles (1,520 km2) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (0.8%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18302,806—
18402,8351.0%
18505,27486.0%
18609,37277.7%
18705,981−36.2%
18808,78246.8%
189012,98447.8%
190016,49127.0%
191020,00121.3%
192022,09810.5%
193021,663−2.0%
194022,6514.6%
195021,303−6.0%
196017,267−18.9%
197016,320−5.5%
198018,44713.0%
199017,457−5.4%
200017,7741.8%
201017,415−2.0%
202016,216−6.9%
2023 (est.)16,318[6]0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010[11]
Age pyramid Lawrence County[12]

2020 census

[edit]
Lawrence County racial composition[13]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 14,925 92.04%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 138 0.85%
Native American 41 0.25%
Asian 38 0.23%
Pacific Islander 10 0.06%
Other/Mixed 707 4.36%
Hispanic or Latino 357 2.2%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,216 people, 6,463 households, and 4,466 families residing in the county.

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[14] there were 17,774 people, 7,108 households, and 5,011 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 8,085 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.78% White, 0.44% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,108 households, out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.50% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,139, and the median income for a family was $32,163. Males had a median income of $26,288 versus $18,518 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,785. About 13.90% of families and 18.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]
United States presidential election results for Lawrence County, Arkansas[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,569 78.01% 1,080 18.44% 208 3.55%
2016 4,064 71.49% 1,263 22.22% 358 6.30%
2012 3,536 63.83% 1,788 32.27% 216 3.90%
2008 3,357 57.58% 2,138 36.67% 335 5.75%
2004 2,951 44.61% 3,544 53.58% 120 1.81%
2000 2,626 43.48% 3,255 53.89% 159 2.63%
1996 1,823 29.69% 3,652 59.47% 666 10.85%
1992 2,124 30.65% 4,146 59.84% 659 9.51%
1988 3,205 49.91% 3,179 49.51% 37 0.58%
1984 4,039 60.50% 2,594 38.86% 43 0.64%
1980 3,245 46.60% 3,547 50.94% 171 2.46%
1976 1,708 24.82% 5,167 75.08% 7 0.10%
1972 3,981 69.45% 1,751 30.55% 0 0.00%
1968 1,788 28.77% 1,613 25.96% 2,813 45.27%
1964 2,013 36.35% 3,498 63.16% 27 0.49%
1960 1,800 44.28% 2,074 51.02% 191 4.70%
1956 1,584 40.12% 2,303 58.33% 61 1.55%
1952 1,570 40.84% 2,206 57.39% 68 1.77%
1948 497 18.60% 2,001 74.89% 174 6.51%
1944 927 33.83% 1,810 66.06% 3 0.11%
1940 852 25.36% 2,484 73.93% 24 0.71%
1936 457 16.91% 2,230 82.50% 16 0.59%
1932 293 8.58% 3,056 89.54% 64 1.88%
1928 774 39.03% 1,204 60.72% 5 0.25%
1924 261 23.18% 689 61.19% 176 15.63%
1920 699 28.72% 1,686 69.27% 49 2.01%
1916 298 14.87% 1,706 85.13% 0 0.00%
1912 218 15.15% 929 64.56% 292 20.29%
1908 583 31.79% 1,188 64.78% 63 3.44%
1904 534 42.41% 672 53.38% 53 4.21%
1900 476 32.96% 958 66.34% 10 0.69%
1896 337 16.42% 1,679 81.78% 37 1.80%

Townships

[edit]
Townships in Lawrence 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 Lawrence County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [16][17]

Education

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Public education is available from four school districts:

Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Infrastructure

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Major highways

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Lawrence County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Hempstead, Fay (1890). A Pictorial History of Arkansas: From Earliest Times to the Year 1890. Southern Historical Press. p. 833. ISBN 9780893080747.
  4. ^ Lawrence County Historical Society (2001). Mother of counties : Lawrence County, Arkansas : history and families. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company. ISBN 9781563117534. LCCN 2001091090.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  10. ^ "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 27, 2015.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  12. ^ Based on 2000 census data
  13. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  16. ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Lawrence County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  17. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.

Further reading

[edit]
  • McLeod, Walter E. (Spring 1944). "Early Lawrence County History". The Arkansas Historical Quarterly. 3 (1). Arkansas Historical Association: 37–52. doi:10.2307/40027462. JSTOR 40027462.

36°01′50″N 91°06′47″W / 36.03056°N 91.11306°W / 36.03056; -91.11306

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