Lawrence County, Arkansas

County in Arkansas, United States

County in Arkansas

Lawrence County

County

Lawrence County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of 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
Founded| January 15, 1815
Named after| James Lawrence
Seat| Walnut Ridge
Largest city| Walnut Ridge
Area

• Total

| 592 sq mi (1,530 km2)
• Land| 588 sq mi (1,520 km2)
• Water| 4.7 sq mi (12 km2)  0.8%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 16,216

• Estimate

(2024)

| 16,305
• Density| 27/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| www.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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

* Randolph County (north)
* Greene County (east)
* Craighead County (southeast)
* Jackson County (south)
* Independence County (southwest)
* Sharp County (west)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1830| 2,806| | —
1840| 2,835| | 1.0%
1850| 5,274| | 86.0%
1860| 9,372| | 77.7%
1870| 5,981| | −36.2%
1880| 8,782| | 46.8%
1890| 12,984| | 47.8%
1900| 16,491| | 27.0%
1910| 20,001| | 21.3%
1920| 22,098| | 10.5%
1930| 21,663| | −2.0%
1940| 22,651| | 4.6%
1950| 21,303| | −6.0%
1960| 17,267| | −18.9%
1970| 16,320| | −5.5%
1980| 18,447| | 13.0%
1990| 17,457| | −5.4%
2000| 17,774| | 1.8%
2010| 17,415| | −2.0%
2020| 16,216| | −6.9%
2024 (est.)| 16,305| [6]| 0.5%
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

[edit]

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. | %
2024 | 4,608  | 80.96% | 965  | 16.95%  | 119  | 2.09%
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%

### 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 Lawrence 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.[16][17]

Lawrence County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials[18][19][20] Position  | Officeholder  | Party

|
|

County Judge  | Gary Barnhill  | Republican
County Clerk  | Brandi Parker  | Republican
Circuit Clerk  | Michelle Evans  | Independent
Sheriff  | Tony Waldrupe  | Independent
Treasurer  | Connie Mullen  | Republican
Collector  | Stephanie Harris  | Independent
Assessor  | Becky Holder  | Independent
Coroner  | Chris Warden  | 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:[18][21][22]

* District 1: Pardo Roberts (R)
* District 2: Frank Brewer (R)
* District 3: Lloyd Clark (R)
* District 4: Heath Davis (D)
* District 5: Frank Binkley (R)
* District 6: Jeff Yates (R)
* District 7: Tracy Moore (R)
* District 8: Kenny Jones (R)
* District 9: Troy Owens (R)

Additionally, the townships of Lawrence 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.[23] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[21][22]

* Annieville: Joseph A. Warnick (D)
* Black River: Jimmy D. Smith (R)
* Black Rock: Jewel Tommy Milgrim (R)
* Boas: Mark VanBrook (R)
* Cache: Ronnie Clay Knight (R)
* Campbell: Kenneth Cole (R)
* Duty: Shawn King (R)
* Lawrence: Duane Hutchinson (R)
* Marion: William Teague (R)
* Reeds Creek: Hunter Durham (R)
* Thacker: James Saxe (R)

### 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. [24][25]

* Annieville
* Ashland (Minturn)
* Black River (Powhatan)
* Black Rock (most of Black Rock)
* Boas (Hoxie, part of Walnut Ridge)
* Cache
* Campbell (College City, most of Walnut Ridge)
* Dent (Imboden)
* Duty (Portia, small part of Black Rock)
* Eaton
* Flat Creek
* Jesup
* Lawrence
* Marion (Alicia)
* Morgan (Lynn)
* Promised Land (Sedgwick)
* Reeds Creek (Strawberry)
* Richwoods (small part of Walnut Ridge)
* Spring River (small part of Ravenden)
* Strawberry (Smithville)
* Thacker (most of Ravenden)

## Education

[edit]

Public education is available from four school districts:

* Hillcrest School District
* Hoxie School District
* Lawrence County School District
* Sloan–Hendrix School District

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Black Rock
* Hoxie
* Walnut Ridge (county seat)

### Towns

[edit]

* Alicia
* College City (former)
* Imboden
* Jesup
* Lynn
* Minturn
* Portia
* Powhatan
* Ravenden
* Sedgwick
* Smithville
* Strawberry

## Infrastructure

[edit]

### Major highways

[edit]

* I-57
* US 62
* US 63
* U.S. Route 63B
* US 67
* U.S. Route 67B
* U.S. Route 67Y
* U.S. Route 412
* Highway 25
* Highway 34
* Highway 90
* Highway 91
* Highway 115
* Highway 117
* Highway 117 Spur
* Highway 228
* Highway 230
* Highway 361

## See also

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

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. `{{cite book}}`: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
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. ^ "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
17. ^ "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
18. ^ a b "Lawrence | Association of Arkansas Counties". www.arcounties.org. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
19. ^ "Elected Officials". Lawrence County, Arkansas. September 18, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
20. ^ https://www.arcounties.org/site/assets/files/6033/november_races.pdf [bare URL PDF]
21. ^ a b "Lawrence County, Arkansas, elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
22. ^ a b "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
23. ^ "What is a Constable?". What is a Constable?. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
24. ^ 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.
25. ^ "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.

Places adjacent to Lawrence County, Arkansas

|  | Randolph County |

|
|

|  |
Sharp County |

Lawrence County, Arkansas

| Greene County
|  |
Independence County | Jackson County | Craighead County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States

County seat: Walnut Ridge

Cities|

* Black Rock
* Hoxie
* Imboden
* Walnut Ridge

Map of Arkansas highlighting Lawrence County

Towns|

* Alicia
* Lynn
* Minturn
* Portia
* Powhatan
* Ravenden
* Sedgwick
* Smithville
* Strawberry

Other
communities|

* Clover Bend
* College City
* Saffell

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* e

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