Franklin County, Arkansas

County in Arkansas, United States

Not to be confused with Franklin, Arkansas.

County in Arkansas

Franklin County

County

Clockwise from top: The Ozark Bridge over the Arkansas River, Franklin County Courthouse in Ozark, the Wiederkehr Wine Cellar near Altus, Sunset from Reed Mountain overlooking the Arkansas River Valley, Overlook at White Rock Mountain in the Ozark National Forest, Franklin County Courthouse in Charleston

Flag

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas

Arkansas's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 35°31′15″N 93°52′33″W﻿ / ﻿35.520833333333°N 93.875833333333°W﻿ / 35.520833333333; -93.875833333333
Country|  United States
State|  Arkansas
Founded| December 19, 1837
Named after| Benjamin Franklin
Seat| Ozark (northern district);
Charleston (southern district)
Largest city| Ozark
Area

• Total

| 620 sq mi (1,600 km2)
• Land| 609 sq mi (1,580 km2)
• Water| 11 sq mi (30 km2)  1.7%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 17,097

• Estimate

(2023)

| 17,468
• Density| 28/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 4th
Website| https://www.arcounties.org/counties/franklin/

Franklin County is a county in Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,097.[1] The county has two county seats, Charleston and Ozark.[2] The county was formed on December 19, 1837, and named for Benjamin Franklin,[3] American statesman. Franklin County is a damp county, with alcohol sales allowed except in Prairie & Alix townships, and limits on liquor sales in the city of Branch.[4]

## History

[edit]

Franklin County was carved out of Crawford County in December 1837. At that time, Franklin was significantly larger than it is at present, encompassing part of present-day Logan County which was formed in 1871.

Initially, the county had a single courthouse at Ozark. To promote economic growth in the county, federal land grants were made in 1853 to incentivize the construction and operation of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad. From receivership in 1875 after a railroad debt crisis, it was reorganized as the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railway.[5] A number of towns were established in the 1890s on the north bank of the river along its right of way. Many farmers purchased land that had been owned by the railway. After complaints about how difficult it was to cross the river at times, a second courthouse was established at Charleston for citizens in the settlements south of the river, sometime in the 1890s, probably after 1892 since "Charleston" did not appear in an 1893 railroad map in all capital letters as "OZARK" did.[5] In 1906 the railway was acquired by the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway. In 1917 the line became a backbone of the MoPac, which merged into the Union Pacific Railroad in 1982.

The reality television show, The Simple Life, starring Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton was filmed in Altus in 2003.

As of February 2024 animal rights activists have voted Franklin County, AR most likely to support animal abusers as in the case of James Williams and Williams Plumbing with their attempts at killing a female dog and her puppies.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 620 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 609 square miles (1,580 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (1.7%) is water.[6]

### Major highways

[edit]

* Interstate 40
* U.S. Highway 64
* Highway 22
* Highway 23
* Highway 41
* Highway 60
* Highway 96

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Madison County (north)
* Johnson County (east)
* Logan County (southeast)
* Sebastian County (southwest)
* Crawford County (west)

### National protected area

[edit]

* Ozark National Forest (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1840| 2,665| | —
1850| 3,972| | 49.0%
1860| 7,298| | 83.7%
1870| 9,627| | 31.9%
1880| 14,951| | 55.3%
1890| 19,934| | 33.3%
1900| 17,395| | −12.7%
1910| 20,638| | 18.6%
1920| 19,364| | −6.2%
1930| 15,762| | −18.6%
1940| 15,683| | −0.5%
1950| 12,358| | −21.2%
1960| 10,213| | −17.4%
1970| 11,301| | 10.7%
1980| 14,705| | 30.1%
1990| 14,897| | 1.3%
2000| 17,771| | 19.3%
2010| 18,125| | 2.0%
2020| 17,097| | −5.7%
2023 (est.)| 17,468| [7]| 2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010[12]
Age pyramid Franklin County[13]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Franklin County racial composition[14] Race  | Number  | Percentage

|
|

White (non-Hispanic)  | 15,201  | 88.91%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)  | 78  | 0.46%
Native American | 199  | 1.16%
Asian | 162  | 0.95%
Pacific Islander | 10  | 0.06%
Other/Mixed | 956  | 5.59%
Hispanic or Latino | 491  | 2.87%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,097 people, 6,723 households, and 4,537 families residing in the county.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census,[15] there were 17,771 people, 6,882 households, and 4,961 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 inhabitants per square mile (11/km2). There were 7,673 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.17% White, 0.62% Black or African American, 0.80% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. 1.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,882 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 24.60% 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 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,848, and the median income for a family was $36,189. Males had a median income of $27,907 versus $18,822 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,616. About 10.60% of families and 15.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 15.70% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

[edit]

### Government

[edit]

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 Franklin County Quorum Court has nine 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.[16][17]

Franklin County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials[18][19] Position  | Officeholder  | Party

|
|

County Judge  | Rickey Bowman  | Republican
County Clerk  | Tammy Sisson  | Republican
Circuit Clerk  | Janice King  | Republican
Sheriff  | Johnny Crocker  | Republican
Treasurer  | Shelly Wilson  | Democratic
Collector  | Margaret Hamilton  | Republican
Assessor  | Rose McKinnon  | Republican
Coroner  | Casey White  | Democratic

The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 6 Republicans, 1 Democrat, and 1 Independent. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[20]

* District 1: Roy Day (R)
* District 2: Freddy Ree (D)
* District 3: David L. Bowles Sr. (R)
* District 4: Vacant
* District 5: Dennis Fisher (R)
* District 6: Brian Lachowski (R)
* District 7: Gary O'Neal (R)
* District 8: Luke Verkamp (R)
* District 9: Lacey Neissl Clark (I)

Additionally, the townships of Franklin County are entitled to elect their own respective constables, as set forth by the Constitution of Arkansas. Constables are largely of historical significance as they were used to keep the peace in rural areas when travel was more difficult.[21] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[20]

* Boston: Doug L. Gilliam (I)
* Hogan: H.R. Holloway (R)
* Mill Creek: Wesley Ryan Keeton (I)
* Mountain: Greg Beard (R)
* Prairie: Brandon Hendrix (R)
* White Oak: Orla Larsen (R)
* Wittich: Timothy O'Neal (R)

### Politics

[edit]

Over the past few election cycles, Franklin County has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat (as of 2024) to carry this county was Arkansas native Bill Clinton in 1996.

United States presidential election results for Franklin County, Arkansas[22] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 5,582  | 80.07% | 1,232  | 17.67%  | 157  | 2.25%
2020 | 5,677  | 79.63% | 1,300  | 18.24%  | 152  | 2.13%
2016 | 5,039  | 74.43% | 1,376  | 20.32%  | 355  | 5.24%
2012 | 4,631  | 70.81% | 1,726  | 26.39%  | 183  | 2.80%
2008 | 4,411  | 68.12% | 1,869  | 28.86%  | 195  | 3.01%
2004 | 4,181  | 57.36% | 3,008  | 41.27%  | 100  | 1.37%
2000 | 3,277  | 53.37% | 2,674  | 43.55%  | 189  | 3.08%
1996 | 2,246  | 36.30%  | 3,269  | 52.83% | 673  | 10.88%
1992 | 2,495  | 37.04%  | 3,217  | 47.76% | 1,024  | 15.20%
1988 | 3,588  | 58.93% | 2,458  | 40.37%  | 43  | 0.71%
1984 | 4,382  | 64.04% | 2,399  | 35.06%  | 62  | 0.91%
1980 | 3,448  | 53.66% | 2,716  | 42.27%  | 262  | 4.08%
1976 | 1,973  | 34.76%  | 3,703  | 65.24% | 0  | 0.00%
1972 | 3,678  | 74.60% | 1,252  | 25.40%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 1,333  | 29.02%  | 1,149  | 25.02%  | 2,111  | 45.96%
1964 | 1,580  | 36.76%  | 2,685  | 62.47% | 33  | 0.77%
1960 | 1,631  | 43.48%  | 2,025  | 53.99% | 95  | 2.53%
1956 | 1,137  | 41.03%  | 1,614  | 58.25% | 20  | 0.72%
1952 | 1,215  | 40.74%  | 1,762  | 59.09% | 5  | 0.17%
1948 | 391  | 18.69%  | 1,591  | 76.05% | 110  | 5.26%
1944 | 457  | 27.75%  | 1,188  | 72.13% | 2  | 0.12%
1940 | 319  | 16.60%  | 1,601  | 83.30% | 2  | 0.10%
1936 | 345  | 15.35%  | 1,890  | 84.11% | 12  | 0.53%
1932 | 275  | 12.30%  | 1,896  | 84.83% | 64  | 2.86%
1928 | 774  | 36.53%  | 1,329  | 62.72% | 16  | 0.76%
1924 | 422  | 23.05%  | 1,188  | 64.88% | 221  | 12.07%
1920 | 769  | 32.15%  | 1,502  | 62.79% | 121  | 5.06%
1916 | 582  | 25.74%  | 1,679  | 74.26% | 0  | 0.00%
1912 | 258  | 14.75%  | 1,113  | 63.64% | 378  | 21.61%
1908 | 565  | 27.40%  | 1,311  | 63.58% | 186  | 9.02%
1904 | 593  | 34.94%  | 968  | 57.04% | 136  | 8.01%
1900 | 485  | 25.74%  | 1,367  | 72.56% | 32  | 1.70%
1896 | 424  | 18.99%  | 1,746  | 78.19% | 63  | 2.82%

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Altus
* Branch
* Charleston (county seat)
* Ozark (county seat)
* Wiederkehr Village

### Town

[edit]

* Denning

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Alix
* Cecil
* Peanut

### Ghost towns

[edit]

* Sub Rosa

### Townships

[edit]

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 Franklin County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [23][24][25]

* Alix (part of Wiederkehr Village)
* Barham
* Black Oak
* Boston
* Cobb
* Cravens
* Donald (most of Branch)
* Grover
* Hogan (Altus, Denning, part of Wiederkehr Village)
* Hurricane
* Ivy
* Limestone
* McIlroy
* Middle
* Mill Creek
* Miller
* Morgan
* Mountain
* Mulberry
* Prairie (Charleston, small part of Branch)
* Shores
* Six Mile
* Walker
* Wallace
* Watalula
* Weaver
* White Oak (Ozark, most of Wiederkehr Village)
* White Rock
* Wittich

## Education

[edit]

School districts include:[26]

* Charleston School District
* County Line School District
* Huntsville School District
* Jasper School District
* Mulberry School District
* Ozark School District

## See also

[edit]

* List of lakes in Franklin County, Arkansas
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Arkansas
* Gary Stubblefield

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Franklin 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. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 131.
4. ^ "Wet/Dry Status of Arkansas Counties". University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
5. ^ a b Map of Franklin County, Arkansas; showing the land grant of the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railway. United States. General Land Office. Little Rock & Fort Smith R.R. Co. Published: Washington, 1893. Accessed February 3, 2022.
6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
11. ^ "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 26, 2015.
12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
13. ^ Based on 2000 census data
14. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
16. ^ "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
17. ^ "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
18. ^ "Franklin | Association of Arkansas Counties". www.arcounties.org. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
19. ^ https://www.arcounties.org/site/assets/files/6033/november_races.pdf
20. ^ a b "Franklin County, Arkansas, elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
21. ^ "What is a Constable?". What is a Constable?. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
22. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
23. ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Franklin County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
24. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
25. ^ "Franklin County townships map, 1930". Arkansas Digital Archives. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
26. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Franklin County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2024. \- Text list

## Further reading

[edit]

* Shropshire, Lola. Franklin County, Arkansas: Images of America, Arcadia Publishing, 128 pages, Aug 2000 ISBN 0-7385-0882-9

English Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Goodspeed's_Northwestern_Arkansas/Biographical_Appendix/Franklin_County

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Franklin County, Arkansas

|  | Madison County |

|
|

|  |
Crawford County |

Franklin County, Arkansas

| Johnson County
|  |
Sebastian County |  | Logan County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Franklin County, Arkansas, United States

County seats: Charleston and Ozark

Cities|

* Altus
* Branch
* Charleston
* Ozark
* Wiederkehr Village

Map of Arkansas highlighting Franklin County

Town|

* Denning

CDP|

* Alix

Other unincorporated
communities|

* Cecil
* Peanut
* Vesta
* Webb City

Ghost towns|

* Sub Rosa

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35°31′15″N 93°52′33″W﻿ / ﻿35.52083°N 93.87583°W﻿ / 35.52083; -93.87583

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