Baxter County, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Baxter County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Arkansas
. It is in the northern part of the state, and shares a border with Missouri
. It is commonly referred to as the Twin Lakes Area because it is bordered by two of Arkansas' largest lakes, Bull Shoals Lake
and Norfork Lake. On its southern border is the Norfork Tailwater
and the Buffalo National River
.
The county seat
is Mountain Home
, which is ranked as the 2nd Best Fishing Town in America by Field and Stream magazine and Baxter County today it is primarily known as a retirement and resort destination. Its Big Creek Golf Course has consistently earned 5 star ratings in Golf Digest
magazine and is ranked in its top 10 places to play. It has also been rated the number 1 public course in Arkansas for four years in a row.
Baxter County is Arkansas's 66th county, formed on 24 March 1873 and named for Elisha Baxter
, the tenth governor of Arkansas.
As of the 2000 census, the county's population was 38,386 in 2000. As of July 2007, the county's population is 41,307. The Mountain Home Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Baxter County.
The Baxter Bulletin weekly newspaper
was named in 1973 by the Newspaper Enterprise Association as the "Best Overall Weekly Newspaper in the United States" in the over 10,000-circulation category. At the time it was published by Harold E. Martin
and was the largest weekly paper in Arkansas.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 38,386 people, 17,052 households, and 11,799 families residing in the county. The population density
was 69 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 19,891 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.81% White
, 0.11% Black
or African American
, 0.52% Native American
, 0.34% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.22% from other races
, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 17,052 households out of which 22.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples
living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.65.
In the county the population was spread out with 19.00% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 21.10% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 26.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,106, and the median income for a family was $34,578. Males had a median income of $25,976 versus $18,923 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,859. About 7.90% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.70% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2010 Baxter County had a population of 41,513. The racial makeup was 95.96% Non-Hispanic whites, 0.16% blacks, 0.56% Native Americans, 0.41% Asians, 0.04% Pacific Islanders, 1.25% Non-Hispanics reporting more than one race and 1.66% Hispanic or Latino.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. It is in the northern part of the state, and shares a border with Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. It is commonly referred to as the Twin Lakes Area because it is bordered by two of Arkansas' largest lakes, Bull Shoals Lake
Bull Shoals Lake
Bull Shoals Lake is an artificial lake or reservoir in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. It has hundreds of miles of lake arms and coves perfect for boating, water sports, swimming, and fishing...
and Norfork Lake. On its southern border is the Norfork Tailwater
Norfork Tailwater
Below the Norfork Dam in north central Arkansas lies the Norfork Tailwater . Near Salesville, Arkansas, the Norfork Tailwater is about 4.8 miles long and stretches from the dam below Lake Norfork to the White River. The Norfork Tailwater is home to brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout, as...
and the Buffalo National River
Buffalo National River
The Buffalo River, located in northern Arkansas, was the first National River to be designated in the United States. The Buffalo River is slightly more than in length, with the lower flowing within the boundaries of an area managed by the National Park Service, where it is designated the '. The...
.
The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Mountain Home
Mountain Home, Arkansas
Mountain Home is a city in and the county seat of Baxter County, Arkansas, United States, in the southern Ozark Mountains.It was recently listed in the top 20 cities in the U.S. for sportsmen in the current edition of Outdoor Life magazine, was recently ranked #2 for Field and Stream's Best Fishing...
, which is ranked as the 2nd Best Fishing Town in America by Field and Stream magazine and Baxter County today it is primarily known as a retirement and resort destination. Its Big Creek Golf Course has consistently earned 5 star ratings in Golf Digest
Golf Digest
Golf Digest is a monthly golf magazine published by Condé Nast Publications in the United States. It is a generalist golf publication covering recreational golf and men's and women's competitive golf. Condé Nast Publications also publishes the more specialized , and Golf World Business. The...
magazine and is ranked in its top 10 places to play. It has also been rated the number 1 public course in Arkansas for four years in a row.
Baxter County is Arkansas's 66th county, formed on 24 March 1873 and named for Elisha Baxter
Elisha Baxter
Elisha Baxter was the tenth Governor of the State of Arkansas.-Biography:Elisha Baxter was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Baxter received an appointment to the United States Military Academy but his father would not allow him to attend.In 1852 Baxter moved to Arkansas and opened a...
, the tenth governor of Arkansas.
As of the 2000 census, the county's population was 38,386 in 2000. As of July 2007, the county's population is 41,307. The Mountain Home Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Baxter County.
The Baxter Bulletin weekly newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
was named in 1973 by the Newspaper Enterprise Association as the "Best Overall Weekly Newspaper in the United States" in the over 10,000-circulation category. At the time it was published by Harold E. Martin
Harold E. Martin
Harold Eugene Martin was a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper editor and publisher who also served as a director of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. During his career, Martin lived in the U.S...
and was the largest weekly paper in Arkansas.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 586.74 square miles (1,519.6 km²), of which 554.36 square miles (1,435.8 km²) (or 94.48%) is land and 32.38 square miles (83.9 km²) (or 5.52%) is water.List Of Highways
US 62U.S. Route 62 in ArkansasU.S. Route 62 is a U.S. highway running from El Paso, Texas northeast to Niagara Falls, New York. In the U.S. state of Arkansas, the route runs 329.9 miles from the Oklahoma border near Summers east to the Missouri border in St. Francis, serving the northern portion of the state...
/US 412- U.S. Route 62 Business
Arkansas Highway 5
Arkansas Highway 14Arkansas Highway 14Arkansas Highway 14 is a designation for two east–west state highway in Arkansas. The primary route from the original 1926 Arkansas state highway numbering runs from Table Rock Lake east to Interstate 555/U.S. Route 63...
Arkansas Highway 101
Arkansas Highway 126Arkansas Highway 126Arkansas Highway 126 is a state highway that runs in Baxter County. It runs from the White River to Midway.-Route description:AR 126 begins near the Marion County line at the White River. It heads north to Buford and on to US 62/US 412 and Gassville and Whiteville. The route concurs with AR 178 at...
Arkansas Highway 177Arkansas Highway 177Arkansas Highway 177 is a north–south state highway that runs in north central Arkansas. The route runs from Herron north over the Norfork Dam, then south to Pineville.-Route description:...
Arkansas Highway 178Arkansas Highway 178Arkansas Highway 178 is a state highway that runs in Marion and Baxter counties. It runs north to Bull Shoals Lake and Midway before terminating near Norfolk Lake.-Route description:...
Arkansas Highway 201Arkansas Highway 201Arkansas Highway 201 is a north–south state highway in Baxter County, Arkansas. The route runs from Arkansas Highway 341 in Salesville north to the Missouri state line through Mountain Home, the county seat of Baxter County....
Arkansas Highway 202Arkansas Highway 202Arkansas Highway 202 is a designation for two east–west state highway in Arkansas. One segment runs from US 62/US 412 in Yellville east to Highway 178. A second portion runs from Bull Shoals Lake east to Arkansas Highway 5 in Baxter County.-Yellville to Flippin:The route begins at US 62/US 412...
Arkansas Highway 201 Spur
Arkansas Highway 263Arkansas Highway 263Arkansas Highway 263 is a state highway that runs in Cleburne, Stone, and Baxter Counties. It runs from Brownsville to Big Flat.-Route description:...
Arkansas Highway 341Arkansas Highway 341Arkansas Highway 341, sometimes referred to as Push Mountain Road, is a state highway that runs in Baxter County.-Route description:AR 341 runs from AR 14 east of Big Flat north to AR 201 near Norfork. The route continues north with AR 5 until Briarcliff, where it becomes Tracy Ferry Road and...
Arkansas Highway 342
Arkansas Highway 345Arkansas Highway 345Highway 345 is a state highway of in Baxter County, Arkansas.-Route description:AR 345 begins at US 62 BUS south of Cotter. It runs northeast through the south part of Cotter before angling north where it meets US 62/AR 101 near Gassville. It runs concurrent with US 62/AR 101 for and terminates...
Adjacent counties
- Ozark CountyOzark County, MissouriOzark County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 9,542. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 9,227. The largest city and county seat is Gainesville. From 1843 to 1845 the county was called...
, MissouriMissouriMissouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
(north) - Fulton County (east)
- Izard County (southeast)
- Stone County (south)
- Searcy County (southwest)
- Marion County (west)
National protected areas
- Buffalo National RiverBuffalo National RiverThe Buffalo River, located in northern Arkansas, was the first National River to be designated in the United States. The Buffalo River is slightly more than in length, with the lower flowing within the boundaries of an area managed by the National Park Service, where it is designated the '. The...
(part) - Ozark National Forest (part)
Demographics
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 38,386 people, 17,052 households, and 11,799 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 69 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 19,891 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.81% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.11% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.52% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.34% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.22% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 17,052 households out of which 22.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.65.
In the county the population was spread out with 19.00% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 21.10% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 26.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,106, and the median income for a family was $34,578. Males had a median income of $25,976 versus $18,923 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $16,859. About 7.90% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.70% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2010 Baxter County had a population of 41,513. The racial makeup was 95.96% Non-Hispanic whites, 0.16% blacks, 0.56% Native Americans, 0.41% Asians, 0.04% Pacific Islanders, 1.25% Non-Hispanics reporting more than one race and 1.66% Hispanic or Latino.
Cities and towns
|
Cotter, Arkansas Cotter is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 970 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally, the river bend was known as Lake's Ferry. In 1905, the Missouri Pacific Railroad bought the area and sold over one thousand lots, mostly to railroad employees. The city was... Gassville, Arkansas Gassville is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. According to the 2000 census, the city population was 1,706.-Geography:Gassville is located at .... |
Lakeview, Arkansas Lakeview is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 763 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lakeview is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... Mountain Home, Arkansas Mountain Home is a city in and the county seat of Baxter County, Arkansas, United States, in the southern Ozark Mountains.It was recently listed in the top 20 cities in the U.S. for sportsmen in the current edition of Outdoor Life magazine, was recently ranked #2 for Field and Stream's Best Fishing... |
Norfork, Arkansas Norfork is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 484 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Norfork is located at .... Salesville, Arkansas Salesville is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 437 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Salesville is located at .... |
Townships
- Bayou
- Big Flat (Big FlatBig Flat, ArkansasBig Flat is a town in Baxter and Searcy counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 104 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Big Flat is located at ....
) - Buckhorn (BriarcliffBriarcliff, ArkansasBriarcliff is a town in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 240 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Briarcliff is located at ....
, small portion of NorforkNorfork, ArkansasNorfork is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 484 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Norfork is located at ....
, SalesvilleSalesville, ArkansasSalesville is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 437 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Salesville is located at ....
) - Buford
- Greenwood
- Grover (LakeviewLakeview, ArkansasLakeview is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 763 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lakeview is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, MidwayMidway, Baxter County, ArkansasMidway is a census-designated place in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. Midway is northwest of Mountain Home. Midway has a post office with ZIP code 72651. As of the 2010 census, its population is 1,084.-List Of Highways:* Highway 5* Highway 126...
) - Independence (MidwayMidway, Baxter County, ArkansasMidway is a census-designated place in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. Midway is northwest of Mountain Home. Midway has a post office with ZIP code 72651. As of the 2010 census, its population is 1,084.-List Of Highways:* Highway 5* Highway 126...
, small portion of Mountain HomeMountain Home, ArkansasMountain Home is a city in and the county seat of Baxter County, Arkansas, United States, in the southern Ozark Mountains.It was recently listed in the top 20 cities in the U.S. for sportsmen in the current edition of Outdoor Life magazine, was recently ranked #2 for Field and Stream's Best Fishing...
) - Logan (MidwayMidway, Baxter County, ArkansasMidway is a census-designated place in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. Midway is northwest of Mountain Home. Midway has a post office with ZIP code 72651. As of the 2010 census, its population is 1,084.-List Of Highways:* Highway 5* Highway 126...
) - Lone Rock (small portion of NorforkNorfork, ArkansasNorfork is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 484 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Norfork is located at ....
) - Matney
- Mill
- Mountain Home (Mountain HomeMountain Home, ArkansasMountain Home is a city in and the county seat of Baxter County, Arkansas, United States, in the southern Ozark Mountains.It was recently listed in the top 20 cities in the U.S. for sportsmen in the current edition of Outdoor Life magazine, was recently ranked #2 for Field and Stream's Best Fishing...
) - North Fork (NorforkNorfork, ArkansasNorfork is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 484 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Norfork is located at ....
) - Pigeon
- Union (BriarcliffBriarcliff, ArkansasBriarcliff is a town in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 240 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Briarcliff is located at ....
) - Whiteville (CotterCotter, ArkansasCotter is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 970 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally, the river bend was known as Lake's Ferry. In 1905, the Missouri Pacific Railroad bought the area and sold over one thousand lots, mostly to railroad employees. The city was...
, GassvilleGassville, ArkansasGassville is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. According to the 2000 census, the city population was 1,706.-Geography:Gassville is located at ....
, small portion of Mountain HomeMountain Home, ArkansasMountain Home is a city in and the county seat of Baxter County, Arkansas, United States, in the southern Ozark Mountains.It was recently listed in the top 20 cities in the U.S. for sportsmen in the current edition of Outdoor Life magazine, was recently ranked #2 for Field and Stream's Best Fishing...
)
Notable residents - past and present
- Richard AntrimRichard AntrimRichard Nott Antrim was an officer in the United States Navy who received the United States' highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions as a prisoner of war during World War II...
- American naval Rear Admiral; World War II veteran and Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient - Wes BentleyWes BentleyWesley Cook "Wes" Bentley is an American film actor known for his role of Ricky Fitts in American Beauty.-Early life:Bentley was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the son of Cherie and David Bentley, who are United Methodist ministers....
- an American film actor - Lonnie D. BentleyLonnie D. BentleyLonnie D. Bentley is a Professor and the Department Head of Computer and Information Technology at Purdue University and a co-author of the textbook Systems Analysis and Design Methods, which is now in its 7th edition....
- is a Professor and the Department Head of Computer and Information Technology at Purdue UniversityPurdue UniversityPurdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and... - Robbie BranscumRobbie BranscumRobbie Nell Tilley Branscum was an American writer of children's books and young adult fiction. Her books were awarded with a Friends of American Writers Award and an Edgar Award ....
(1937—1997) - writer of children's books and young adult fiction - Ed Dugan - Chef and author of Help! I Gotta Cook
- Richard A. KnaakRichard A. KnaakRichard A. Knaak is the author of Dragonlance novels, Dragonrealm, six novels for Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo series, and nine works in the Warcraft universe...
- an American author; wrote the Minotaur Wars and other contributions to DragonlanceDragonlanceDragonlance is a shared universe created by Laura and Tracy Hickman, and expanded by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis under the direction of TSR, Inc. into a series of popular fantasy novels. The Hickmans conceived Dragonlance while driving in their car on the way to TSR for a job application... - Derin McMains - a Former Minor League Baseball Player Now Coach for the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
organization - Roy StoneRoy StoneRoy Stone was a Union Army general during the American Civil War. He is most noted for his stubborn defense of the McPherson Farm during the Battle of Gettysburg.-Early life and family:...
- blacksmith and wagon maker - Carolyn D. Wright - poet, was born in Mountain Home.