Johnson County, Arkansas

County in Arkansas, United States

Not to be confused with Johnson, Arkansas.

County in Arkansas

Johnson County

County

Courthouse in Clarksville

Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas

Arkansas's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 35°33′00″N 93°28′00″W﻿ / ﻿35.55°N 93.466666666667°W﻿ / 35.55; -93.466666666667
Country|  United States
State|  Arkansas
Founded| November 16, 1833
Seat| Clarksville
Largest city| Clarksville
Area

• Total

| 683 sq mi (1,770 km2)
• Land| 660 sq mi (1,700 km2)
• Water| 23 sq mi (60 km2)  3.4%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 25,749

• Estimate

(2023)

| 25,845
• Density| 38/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 4th
Website| johnsoncounty.arkansas.gov

Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,749.[1] The county seat is Clarksville.[2] Johnson County is Arkansas's 30th county, formed on November 16, 1833, from a portion of Pope County and named for Benjamin Johnson,[3] a Territorial Judge. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 683 square miles (1,770 km2), of which 660 square miles (1,700 km2) is land and 23 square miles (60 km2) (3.4%) is water.[4]

### Major highways

[edit]

* Interstate 40
* U.S. Route 64
* Arkansas Highway 21
* Arkansas Highway 103
* Arkansas Highway 109
* Arkansas Highway 123

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Newton County (north)
* Pope County (east)
* Logan County (south)
* Franklin County (west)
* Madison County (northwest)

### National protected area

[edit]

* Ozark National Forest (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1840| 3,433| | —
1850| 5,227| | 52.3%
1860| 7,612| | 45.6%
1870| 9,152| | 20.2%
1880| 11,565| | 26.4%
1890| 16,758| | 44.9%
1900| 17,448| | 4.1%
1910| 19,698| | 12.9%
1920| 21,062| | 6.9%
1930| 19,289| | −8.4%
1940| 18,795| | −2.6%
1950| 16,138| | −14.1%
1960| 12,421| | −23.0%
1970| 13,630| | 9.7%
1980| 17,423| | 27.8%
1990| 18,221| | 4.6%
2000| 22,781| | 25.0%
2010| 25,540| | 12.1%
2020| 25,749| | 0.8%
2023 (est.)| 26,129| [5]| 1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020-2021[1]
Age pyramid Johnson County[11]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census,[12] there were 22,781 people, 8,738 households, and 6,238 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile (13 people/km2). There were 9,926 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.69% White, 1.37% Black or African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.62% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 6.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,738 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,910, and the median income for a family was $33,630. Males had a median income of $25,779 versus $19,924 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,097. About 12.90% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 15.30% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,749 people and 9,792 households in the county.[1]

### Racial composition

[edit]

Johnson County racial composition[13] Race  | Number  | Percentage

|
|

White (non-Hispanic)  | 19,400  | 75.34%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)  | 454  | 1.76%
Native American | 202  | 0.78%
Asian | 918  | 3.57%
Pacific Islander | 27  | 0.1%
Other/Mixed | 1,309  | 5.08%
Hispanic or Latino | 3,439  | 13.36%

## 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 Johnson County Quorum Court has eleven 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.[14][15]

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

|
|

County Judge  | Herman H. Houston  | Republican
County Clerk  | Michelle Frost  | Democratic
Circuit Clerk  | Monica King  | Republican
Sheriff  | Tom Hughes  | Republican
Treasurer/Collector  | Melanie "Fred" Cowell  | Republican
Assessor  | Rusty Hardgrave  | (Unknown)
Coroner  | Pam Cogan  | Democratic
Surveyor  | Jim Higby  | (Unknown)

The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 8 Republicans and 3 Democrats. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[19][20]

* District 1: Mike Jacobs (D)
* District 2: Paula Ober (R)
* District 3: Van Alan Hill (R)
* District 4: Bethany Bean (R)
* District 5: Mike Estes (R)
* District 6: John Payne (D)
* District 7: Kris Muldoon (R)
* District 8: Katie Howard (R)
* District 9: Larry Jones (D)
* District 10: Jeremy Hatchett (R)
* District 11: Bryan Cooper (R)

Additionally, the townships of Johnson 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][22]

* Howell: Timothy Harmon (R)
* King: Todd M. Russell (R)
* Pittsburg: Ronnie Butler (R)
* Spadra: Jonathan Howard (R)

### Politics

[edit]

Over the past few election cycles, Johnson County has trended heavily toward the GOP. The last Democratic presidential candidate to carry this county was Arkansas native Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996.

United States presidential election results for Johnson County, Arkansas[23] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 6,766  | 74.69% | 2,107  | 23.26%  | 186  | 2.05%
2020 | 6,938  | 73.05% | 2,283  | 24.04%  | 277  | 2.92%
2016 | 6,091  | 66.85% | 2,427  | 26.64%  | 594  | 6.52%
2012 | 5,064  | 62.53% | 2,799  | 34.56%  | 235  | 2.90%
2008 | 4,922  | 60.17% | 3,034  | 37.09%  | 224  | 2.74%
2004 | 4,311  | 53.59% | 3,622  | 45.03%  | 111  | 1.38%
2000 | 3,657  | 51.07% | 3,270  | 45.66%  | 234  | 3.27%
1996 | 2,367  | 34.64%  | 3,585  | 52.47% | 881  | 12.89%
1992 | 2,563  | 33.82%  | 3,951  | 52.14% | 1,064  | 14.04%
1988 | 4,046  | 58.29% | 2,818  | 40.60%  | 77  | 1.11%
1984 | 4,720  | 60.30% | 3,056  | 39.04%  | 51  | 0.65%
1980 | 3,619  | 47.39%  | 3,709  | 48.57% | 308  | 4.03%
1976 | 2,173  | 30.11%  | 5,044  | 69.89% | 0  | 0.00%
1972 | 4,107  | 66.76% | 2,045  | 33.24%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 1,667  | 32.64%  | 1,747  | 34.21% | 1,693  | 33.15%
1964 | 1,535  | 32.78%  | 3,127  | 66.77% | 21  | 0.45%
1960 | 1,490  | 42.29%  | 1,938  | 55.01% | 95  | 2.70%
1956 | 1,520  | 46.84%  | 1,697  | 52.30% | 28  | 0.86%
1952 | 1,728  | 45.90%  | 2,021  | 53.68% | 16  | 0.42%
1948 | 523  | 23.25%  | 1,565  | 69.59% | 161  | 7.16%
1944 | 593  | 31.03%  | 1,311  | 68.60% | 7  | 0.37%
1940 | 318  | 18.11%  | 1,429  | 81.38% | 9  | 0.51%
1936 | 318  | 17.95%  | 1,432  | 80.81% | 22  | 1.24%
1932 | 284  | 14.88%  | 1,557  | 81.60% | 67  | 3.51%
1928 | 766  | 36.93%  | 1,292  | 62.30% | 16  | 0.77%
1924 | 311  | 19.78%  | 1,029  | 65.46% | 232  | 14.76%
1920 | 996  | 36.15%  | 1,579  | 57.31% | 180  | 6.53%
1916 | 571  | 27.85%  | 1,479  | 72.15% | 0  | 0.00%
1912 | 189  | 12.57%  | 927  | 61.64% | 388  | 25.80%
1908 | 544  | 29.14%  | 1,164  | 62.35% | 159  | 8.52%
1904 | 507  | 31.30%  | 1,047  | 64.63% | 66  | 4.07%
1900 | 552  | 29.30%  | 1,317  | 69.90% | 15  | 0.80%
1896 | 491  | 21.06%  | 1,831  | 78.55% | 9  | 0.39%

### Cities

[edit]

* Clarksville (county seat)
* Coal Hill
* Hartman
* Knoxville
* Lamar

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Hagarville
* Oark
* Ozone

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Gillian Settlement
* Harmony
* Hickeytown
* Pittsburg

### Townships

[edit]

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

* Batson
* Dickerson-Hill
* Grant (Coal Hill)
* Hickey
* Horsehead
* Howell (most of Knoxville)
* Lee
* Low Gap
* McKennon
* Mulberry
* Perry (CDP Hagarville)
* Pittsburg (most of Lamar, small part of Knoxville)
* Prairie (small part of Clarksville)
* Red Lick
* Sherman
* Spadra (most of Clarksville, small part of Lamar)
* Stonewall
* Ward (Hartman)

## Notable people

[edit]

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (February 2025)

|

## See also

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts, Johnson County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 169.
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. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
11. ^ Based on 2000 census data
12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
13. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
14. ^ "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
15. ^ "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
16. ^ "Officials – Johnson County, Arkansas". Retrieved April 19, 2025.
17. ^ "Johnson | Association of Arkansas Counties". www.arcounties.org. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
18. ^ https://www.arcounties.org/site/assets/files/6033/november_races.pdf
19. ^ "Quorum Court – Johnson County, Arkansas". Retrieved April 19, 2025.
20. ^ a b "Johnson County, Arkansas, elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
21. ^ "What is a Constable?". What is a Constable?. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
22. ^ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
23. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
24. ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Johnson County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
25. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Johnson County, Arkansas

| Madison County | Newton County |

|
|

|  |
Franklin County |

Johnson County, Arkansas

| Pope County
|  |
| Logan County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Johnson County, Arkansas, United States

County seat: Clarksville

Cities|

* Clarksville
* Coal Hill
* Hartman
* Lamar

Map of Arkansas highlighting Johnson County

Town|

* Knoxville

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* Hagarville
* Oark
* Ozone

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* Gillian Settlement
* Harmony
* Hickeytown
* Montana
* Pittsburg
* Sulphur Springs

* Arkansas portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Arkansas

Little Rock (capital)

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35°33′N 93°28′W﻿ / ﻿35.550°N 93.467°W﻿ / 35.550; -93.467

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