Little River County, Arkansas

County in Arkansas, United States

County in Arkansas

Little River County

County

Little River County Courthouse in Ashdown

Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas

Arkansas's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 33°41′53″N 94°13′18″W﻿ / ﻿33.698055555556°N 94.221666666667°W﻿ / 33.698055555556; -94.221666666667
Country|  United States
State|  Arkansas
Founded| March 5, 1867
Named after| Little River[1]
Seat| Ashdown
Largest city| Ashdown
Area

• Total

| 565 sq mi (1,460 km2)
• Land| 532 sq mi (1,380 km2)
• Water| 33 sq mi (90 km2)  5.8%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 12,026

• Estimate

(2023)

| 11,805
• Density| 21/sq mi (8.2/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 4th
Little River County War Memorial during Christmas

Little River County is a county located on the southwest border of the U.S. state of Arkansas, bordering a corner with Texas and Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,026.[2] The county seat is Ashdown.[3]

Little River County is included in the Texarkana metropolitan area.

## History

[edit]

Little River County is Arkansas's 59th county, formed from Sevier County on March 5, 1867, during the Reconstruction era and named for the Little River. The county is separated from all other surrounding counties in the state by water (a characteristic shared only with neighboring Miller County). The Little River, Millwood Lake and the Red River form the boundaries of the county within the state.

Around 1895 the Arkansas and Choctaw Railway was built between Arkinda and Ashdown.[4] The line was extended from Arkinda into Oklahoma, and from Ashdown to Hope, Arkansas, in the 1902-1903 timeframe.[4] That line is now operated by the Kiamichi Railroad.[5][6]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 565 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 532 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 33 square miles (85 km2) (5.8%) is water.[7] It is the third-smallest county in Arkansas by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.

### Major highways

[edit]

* Future Interstate 49
* U.S. Highway 59
* U.S. Highway 71
* Highway 32
* Highway 41
* Highway 108

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Sevier County (north)
* Howard County (northeast)
* Hempstead County (east)
* Miller County (southeast)
* Bowie County, Texas (south)
* McCurtain County, Oklahoma (west)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1870| 3,236| | —
1880| 6,404| | 97.9%
1890| 8,903| | 39.0%
1900| 13,731| | 54.2%
1910| 13,597| | −1.0%
1920| 16,301| | 19.9%
1930| 15,515| | −4.8%
1940| 15,932| | 2.7%
1950| 11,690| | −26.6%
1960| 9,211| | −21.2%
1970| 11,194| | 21.5%
1980| 13,952| | 24.6%
1990| 13,966| | 0.1%
2000| 13,628| | −2.4%
2010| 13,171| | −3.4%
2020| 12,026| | −8.7%
2023 (est.)| 11,805| [8]| −1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010[13]
Age pyramid Little River County[14]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Little River County racial composition[15] Race  | Number  | Percentage

|
|

White (non-Hispanic)  | 8,593  | 71.45%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)  | 2,164  | 17.99%
Native American | 161  | 1.34%
Asian | 19  | 0.16%
Pacific Islander | 9  | 0.07%
Other/Mixed | 671  | 5.58%
Hispanic or Latino | 409  | 3.4%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,026 people, 5,363 households, and 3,523 families residing in the county.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census,[16] there were 13,628 people, 5,465 households, and 3,912 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10 people/km2). There were 6,435 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (4.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74.52% White, 21.27% Black or African American, 1.45% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. 1.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,465 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,417, and the median income for a family was $36,207. Males had a median income of $32,489 versus $18,435 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,899. About 11.90% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.80% of those under age 18 and 17.80% 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 Little River 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.[17][18]

Little River County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials[19][20][21] Position  | Officeholder  | Party

|
|

County Judge  | Larry Crowling  | Republican
County Clerk  | Deanna Sivley  | Republican
Circuit Clerk  | Lauren Abney  | Independent
Sheriff/Collector  | Bobby Walraven  | Republican
Treasurer  | Dayna Guthrie  | Independent
Assessor  | Allie Rosenbaum  | Independent
Coroner  | Chas Davis  | Republican

The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 5 Republicans, 3 Independents, and 1 Democrat. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[21][22][23]

* District 1: Andrea Billingsley (I) of Foreman
* District 2: Lisa Hearn (R) of Ashdown
* District 3: Keith Pullen (I) of Foreman
* District 4: Mark Ardwin (I) of Ashdown
* District 5: Tyler Davis (R) of Ashdown
* District 6: John Bowman (R) of Ashdown
* District 7: Charles Henderson (D) of Ashdown
* District 8: Suzanne Spain Ward (R) of Ashdown
* District 9: Larry Phillips (R) of Ashdown

Additionally, the townships of Little River 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.[24] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[23]

* Franklin: Charles Dorse (R)

### Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Little River County, Arkansas[25] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 3,744  | 76.42% | 1,084  | 22.13%  | 71  | 1.45%
2020 | 3,715  | 71.76% | 1,226  | 23.68%  | 236  | 4.56%
2016 | 3,605  | 68.97% | 1,397  | 26.73%  | 225  | 4.30%
2012 | 3,385  | 67.02% | 1,552  | 30.73%  | 114  | 2.26%
2008 | 3,247  | 63.02% | 1,753  | 34.03%  | 152  | 2.95%
2004 | 2,575  | 48.64%  | 2,677  | 50.57% | 42  | 0.79%
2000 | 2,283  | 43.38%  | 2,883  | 54.78% | 97  | 1.84%
1996 | 1,409  | 27.56%  | 3,183  | 62.27% | 520  | 10.17%
1992 | 1,483  | 25.94%  | 3,327  | 58.18% | 908  | 15.88%
1988 | 2,347  | 45.85%  | 2,740  | 53.53% | 32  | 0.63%
1984 | 3,155  | 59.58% | 2,090  | 39.47%  | 50  | 0.94%
1980 | 2,272  | 45.22%  | 2,631  | 52.37% | 121  | 2.41%
1976 | 1,431  | 31.29%  | 3,142  | 68.71% | 0  | 0.00%
1972 | 2,550  | 70.04% | 1,091  | 29.96%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 745  | 22.51%  | 1,092  | 32.99%  | 1,473  | 44.50%
1964 | 1,141  | 35.72%  | 2,040  | 63.87% | 13  | 0.41%
1960 | 692  | 29.79%  | 1,514  | 65.17% | 117  | 5.04%
1956 | 828  | 37.67%  | 1,308  | 59.51% | 62  | 2.82%
1952 | 783  | 33.93%  | 1,522  | 65.94% | 3  | 0.13%
1948 | 169  | 11.09%  | 900  | 59.06% | 455  | 29.86%
1944 | 326  | 25.29%  | 961  | 74.55% | 2  | 0.16%
1940 | 276  | 19.83%  | 1,104  | 79.31% | 12  | 0.86%
1936 | 192  | 15.30%  | 1,056  | 84.14% | 7  | 0.56%
1932 | 118  | 7.74%  | 1,399  | 91.80% | 7  | 0.46%
1928 | 457  | 33.24%  | 916  | 66.62% | 2  | 0.15%
1924 | 276  | 31.80%  | 546  | 62.90% | 46  | 5.30%
1920 | 618  | 40.63%  | 853  | 56.08% | 50  | 3.29%
1916 | 364  | 30.18%  | 842  | 69.82% | 0  | 0.00%
1912 | 232  | 22.42%  | 615  | 59.42% | 188  | 18.16%
1908 | 435  | 35.17%  | 660  | 53.35% | 142  | 11.48%
1904 | 388  | 38.84%  | 557  | 55.76% | 54  | 5.41%
1900 | 281  | 27.05%  | 751  | 72.28% | 7  | 0.67%
1896 | 273  | 23.97%  | 852  | 74.80% | 14  | 1.23%

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Ashdown (county seat)
* Foreman
* Winthrop

### Towns

[edit]

* Ogden
* Wilton

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Alleene
* Yarborough Landing

### Other unincorporated places

[edit]

* Comet
* Richmond
* Rocky Comfort
* Cerro Gordo

### 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 Little River County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [26][27]

* Arden
* Arkinda (Arkinda)
* Burke
* Caney
* Cleveland (Wilton)
* Franklin (Yarborough Landing)
* Jackson (Foreman)
* Jeff Davis
* Jefferson (Ashdown)
* Jewell
* Johnson (Ogden)
* Lick Creek
* Little River (Winthrop)
* Red River
* Richland
* Wallace

## Notable people

[edit]

* Marion H. Crank, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, 1963–1964; Democratic gubernatorial nominee, 1968; resided in Foreman, interred there at Holy Cross Cemetery[28]
* Jeff Davis, Democratic United States Senator from Arkansas and the 20th Governor of the U.S. state of Arkansas[29]

## See also

[edit]

* List of lakes in Little River County, Arkansas
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Little River County, Arkansas
* Ashdown School District
* Foreman School District

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 188.
2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Little River County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ a b "Hope, AR" (PDF). All Aboard, January–February 1994, p.17-18, The Frisco Rail Museum, (accessed on CondrenRails.com). Retrieved October 11, 2022.
5. ^ "Kiamichi Railroad Company KRR #424". Union Pacific. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
6. ^ "Railroad Map of Arkansas" (PDF). Arkansas Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
12. ^ "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.
13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
14. ^ Based on 2000 census data
15. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
17. ^ "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
18. ^ "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
19. ^ "Departments – Little River County". Retrieved April 26, 2025.
20. ^ "Little River | Association of Arkansas Counties". www.arcounties.org. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
21. ^ a b https://www.arcounties.org/site/assets/files/6033/november_races.pdf
22. ^ "Quorum Court – Little River County". Retrieved April 26, 2025.
23. ^ a b "Little River County, Arkansas, elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
24. ^ "What is a Constable?". What is a Constable?. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
25. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
26. ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Little River County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
27. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
28. ^ "Crank, Marion". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
29. ^ "Arkansas Governor Jefferson Davis". National Governors Association. Retrieved August 17, 2012.

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Little River County, Arkansas

|  | Sevier County |

|
|

|  |
McCurtain County, Oklahoma |

Little River County, Arkansas

| Hempstead County
|  |
| Bowie County, Texas | Miller County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Little River County, Arkansas, United States

County seat: Ashdown

Cities|

* Ashdown
* Foreman
* Ogden
* Wilton
* Winthrop

Map of Arkansas highlighting Little River County

CDPs|

* Alleene
* Yarborough Landing

Other unincorporated
communities|

* Comet
* Richmond
* Rocky Comfort

* Arkansas portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Arkansas

Little Rock (capital)

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33°41′53″N 94°13′18″W﻿ / ﻿33.69806°N 94.22167°W﻿ / 33.69806; -94.22167
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