Jackson County, Arkansas

County in Arkansas, United States

County in Arkansas

Jackson County

County

Jackson County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas

Arkansas's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 35°35′38″N 91°11′37″W﻿ / ﻿35.593888888889°N 91.193611111111°W﻿ / 35.593888888889; -91.193611111111
Country|  United States
State|  Arkansas
Founded| November 5, 1829
Named after| Andrew Jackson
Seat| Newport
Largest city| Newport
Area

• Total

| 642 sq mi (1,660 km2)
• Land| 634 sq mi (1,640 km2)
• Water| 7.6 sq mi (20 km2)  1.2%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 16,755

• Estimate

(2023)

| 16,784
• Density| 26/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| jacksoncountyar.com

Jackson County is located in the Arkansas Delta in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The county is named for Andrew Jackson, a national hero during the War of 1812. By the county's formation in 1829, Jackson had become the seventh President of the United States. Jackson County is home to seven incorporated towns and four incorporated cities, including Newport, the largest city and county seat. The county is also the site of numerous unincorporated communities and ghost towns. Occupying 633.94 square miles (164,190 ha), Jackson County is the 41st largest county of the 75 in Arkansas. As of the 2020 Census, the county's population was 16,755.[1] Based on population, the county is the 44th-largest county in Arkansas.[2] Although terrain rises in the west, most of Jackson County is within the Arkansas Delta, characterized by largely flat terrain with fertile soils. Historically covered in forest, bayous and swamps, the area was cleared for agriculture by early settlers. It is drained by the White River. No Interstate highways are located in Jackson County, two United States highways (U.S. Route 67 (US 67) and US 167) and fifteen Arkansas state highways run in the county. A Union Pacific Railroad line also crosses the county.[3]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 642 square miles (1,660 km2), of which 634 square miles (1,640 km2) is land and 7.6 square miles (20 km2) (1.2%) is water.[4]

### Major highways

[edit]

* Interstate 57
* U.S. Highway 67
* U.S. Highway 167
* Highway 14
* Highway 17
* Highway 18
* Highway 18 Spur
* Highway 33
* Highway 37
* Highway 42
* Highway 69
* Highway 69 Spur
* Highway 87
* Highway 145
* Highway 157
* Highway 224
* Highway 226
* Highway 367
* Highway 384
* Airport Highway 980

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Lawrence County (north)
* Craighead County (northeast)
* Poinsett County (east)
* Cross County (southeast)
* Woodruff County (south)
* White County (southwest)
* Independence County (west)

### National protected area

[edit]

* Cache River National Wildlife Refuge (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1830| 333| | —
1840| 1,540| | 362.5%
1850| 3,086| | 100.4%
1860| 10,493| | 240.0%
1870| 7,268| | −30.7%
1880| 10,877| | 49.7%
1890| 15,179| | 39.6%
1900| 18,383| | 21.1%
1910| 23,501| | 27.8%
1920| 25,446| | 8.3%
1930| 27,943| | 9.8%
1940| 26,427| | −5.4%
1950| 25,912| | −1.9%
1960| 22,843| | −11.8%
1970| 20,452| | −10.5%
1980| 21,646| | 5.8%
1990| 18,944| | −12.5%
2000| 18,418| | −2.8%
2010| 17,997| | −2.3%
2020| 16,755| | −6.9%
2023 (est.)| 16,784| [5]| 0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10]
Age pyramid Jackson County[11]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Jackson County racial composition[12] Race  | Number  | Percentage

|
|

White (non-Hispanic)  | 12,754  | 76.12%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)  | 2,764  | 16.5%
Native American | 43  | 0.26%
Asian | 63  | 0.38%
Pacific Islander | 4  | 0.02%
Other/Mixed | 666  | 3.97%
Hispanic or Latino | 461  | 2.75%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,755 people, 6,137 households, and 3,758 families residing in the county.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census,[13] there were 18,418 people, 6,971 households, and 4,830 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11 people/km2). There were 7,956 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.57% White, 17.56% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 1.27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,971 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 13.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.20% under the age of 18, 11.50% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,081, and the median income for a family was $32,661. Males had a median income of $26,744 versus $17,830 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,564. About 13.20% of families and 17.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.00% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.

## Government and infrastructure

[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 Jackson County Quorum Court has nine members. Presiding over quorum court meetings is the county judge, who serves as the chief executive 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.[14][15]

Jackson County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials[16][17][18][19] Position  | Officeholder  | Party

|
|

County Judge | Jeff Phillips  | Republican
County Clerk | Melanie Clark  | Republican
Circuit Clerk | Barbara Metzger Hackney  | Republican
Sheriff | Russell Brinsfield  | Republican
Treasurer | Jamie Cason  | Republican
Collector | Kelly Walker  | Republican
Assessor | Diann Ballard  | Republican
Coroner | Cris Driver  | Democratic

The composition of the Quorum Court after the 2024 elections is 8 Republicans and 1 Democrat. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[20][21]

* District 1: Rusty Kinder (R)
* District 2: Tommy Young (R)
* District 3: David R. Howard (R)
* District 4: Bryan Smith (R)
* District 5: Clay Young (R)
* District 6: Mark Harmon (R)
* District 7: Jerry W. Mann (D)
* District 8: Lendol Falwell (R)
* District 9: Robby Stewart (R)

Additionally, the townships of Jackson 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.[22]

The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[23]

* Brock: James Brock (R)
* Clark: Chris Clark (R)
* McGee: Patrick McGee (R)
* Thatcher: Dylan Thatcher (R)

### Infrastructure

[edit]

The Grimes Unit and the McPherson Unit, prisons of the Arkansas Department of Correction, are located in Newport, off of Arkansas Highway 384, 4 miles (6.4 km) east of central Newport.[24] The prison houses the state's death row for women.[25] The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is the primary county-wide law enforcement agency.

### Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Jackson County, Arkansas[26] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 3,509  | 73.49% | 1,183  | 24.77%  | 83  | 1.74%
2020 | 3,593  | 70.58% | 1,365  | 26.81%  | 133  | 2.61%
2016 | 3,267  | 63.36% | 1,583  | 30.70%  | 306  | 5.93%
2012 | 3,072  | 57.45% | 2,095  | 39.18%  | 180  | 3.37%
2008 | 3,118  | 55.86% | 2,207  | 39.54%  | 257  | 4.60%
2004 | 2,624  | 42.19%  | 3,515  | 56.52% | 80  | 1.29%
2000 | 2,280  | 37.55%  | 3,651  | 60.13% | 141  | 2.32%
1996 | 1,525  | 23.46%  | 4,304  | 66.22% | 671  | 10.32%
1992 | 1,864  | 24.77%  | 4,944  | 65.71% | 716  | 9.52%
1988 | 3,049  | 41.90%  | 4,199  | 57.71% | 28  | 0.38%
1984 | 3,901  | 48.88%  | 4,038  | 50.60% | 42  | 0.53%
1980 | 3,191  | 39.49%  | 4,651  | 57.55% | 239  | 2.96%
1976 | 1,783  | 21.64%  | 6,456  | 78.36% | 0  | 0.00%
1972 | 4,196  | 66.73% | 2,092  | 33.27%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 1,356  | 19.56%  | 2,051  | 29.59%  | 3,525  | 50.85%
1964 | 2,141  | 31.36%  | 4,651  | 68.12% | 36  | 0.53%
1960 | 1,986  | 38.50%  | 2,860  | 55.44% | 313  | 6.07%
1956 | 1,323  | 26.14%  | 3,699  | 73.09% | 39  | 0.77%
1952 | 1,516  | 25.62%  | 4,401  | 74.38% | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 338  | 10.34%  | 2,696  | 82.45% | 236  | 7.22%
1944 | 414  | 15.15%  | 2,318  | 84.85% | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 382  | 14.54%  | 2,223  | 84.59% | 23  | 0.88%
1936 | 327  | 13.19%  | 2,151  | 86.77% | 1  | 0.04%
1932 | 193  | 7.09%  | 2,521  | 92.58% | 9  | 0.33%
1928 | 698  | 31.24%  | 1,527  | 68.35% | 9  | 0.40%
1924 | 392  | 25.44%  | 1,069  | 69.37% | 80  | 5.19%
1920 | 1,131  | 40.34%  | 1,575  | 56.17% | 98  | 3.50%
1916 | 476  | 26.05%  | 1,351  | 73.95% | 0  | 0.00%
1912 | 543  | 31.94%  | 837  | 49.24% | 320  | 18.82%
1908 | 864  | 42.39%  | 1,055  | 51.77% | 119  | 5.84%
1904 | 677  | 47.28%  | 746  | 52.09% | 9  | 0.63%
1900 | 598  | 36.05%  | 1,050  | 63.29% | 11  | 0.66%
1896 | 588  | 26.95%  | 1,585  | 72.64% | 9  | 0.41%

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Campbell Station
* Diaz
* Grubbs
* Newport (county seat)
* Swifton
* Tuckerman

### Towns

[edit]

* Amagon
* Beedeville
* Jacksonport
* Tupelo
* Weldon

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Balch
* Centerville
* Denmark
* Heffington
* Kenyon
* Macks
* Midway
* Olyphant
* Possum Grape

### Ghost towns

[edit]

* Colerain
* Estico
* Mt. Pinson
* Myrickville
* Sneed

### Townships

[edit]

Townships in Jackson 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 Jackson County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [27][28]

* Barren
* Bateman (contains part of Newport)
* Bird (contains most of Tuckerman)
* Breckinridge (contains Tupelo and Weldon)
* Bryan
* Cache
* Cow Lake (contains Beedeville)
* Glaize
* Glass (contains Swifton)
* Grubbs (contains Grubbs)
* Jefferson (contains Campbell Station and Jacksonport, part of Diaz and Tuckerman)
* Richwoods (contains Amagon)
* Union (contains most of Diaz and Newport)
* Village (contains part of Diaz and Newport)

Source:[29]

## Government and politics

[edit]

Jackson County is represented in the Arkansas State Senate by the Republican Ronald R. Caldwell, a real estate businessman from Wynne in Cross County.

## See also

[edit]

* United States portal

* List of lakes in Jackson County, Arkansas
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Jackson County, Arkansas

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Jackson County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ General Highway Map - Jackson County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map) (December 28, 2011 ed.). Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
9. ^ "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.
10. ^ "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
11. ^ Based on 2000 census data
12. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
14. ^ "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
15. ^ "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
16. ^ "Jackson | Association of Arkansas Counties". www.arcounties.org. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
17. ^ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
18. ^ https://www.arcounties.org/site/assets/files/6033/november_races.pdf
19. ^ "Home". Jackson County AR. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
20. ^ "Justices of the Peace". Jackson County AR. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
21. ^ "Jackson County, Arkansas, elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
22. ^ "What is a Constable?". What is a Constable?. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
23. ^ "Jackson County, Arkansas, elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
24. ^ "Grimes Unit/McPherson Unit." Arkansas Department of Correction. Retrieved on November 22, 2010.
25. ^ Haddigan, Michael. "They Kill Women, Don't They?" Arkansas Times. April 9, 1999. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
26. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
27. ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Jackson County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
28. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
29. ^ "Summary Population and Housing Characteristics, CPH-1-5, Arkansas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. September 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2014. 2010 Census of Population and Housing

## External links

[edit]

* Jackson County official website

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Jackson County, Arkansas

|  | Lawrence County | Craighead County

|
|

|  |
Independence County |

Jackson County, Arkansas

| Poinsett County
|  |
White County | Woodruff County | Cross County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Jackson County, Arkansas, United States

County seat: Newport

Cities|

* Campbell Station
* Diaz
* Grubbs
* Newport
* Swifton
* Tuckerman

Map of Arkansas highlighting Jackson County

Towns|

* Amagon
* Beedeville
* Jacksonport
* Tupelo
* Weldon

Unincorporated
communities|

* Auvergne
* Centerville
* Coffeeville
* Grand Glaise
* Horseshoe
* Midway
* Nuckles
* Possum Grape
* Stegall

Ghost town|

* Sneed

* Arkansas portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Arkansas

Little Rock (capital)

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35°35′38″N 91°11′37″W﻿ / ﻿35.59389°N 91.19361°W﻿ / 35.59389; -91.19361

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