Desha County, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Desha County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Arkansas
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,008. The county seat
is Arkansas City
. Desha County is Arkansas's 40th county, formed on December 12, 1838, and named for Captain Benjamin Desha
who fought in the War of 1812
.
and Southeast Arkansas.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 15,341 people, 5,922 households, and 4,192 families residing in the county. The population density
was 20 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 6,663 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 50.50% White
, 46.33% Black
or African American
, 0.35% Native American
, 0.30% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 1.73% from other races
, and 0.76% from two or more races. 3.16% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 5,922 households out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.50% were married couples
living together, 19.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.90% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $24,121, and the median income for a family was $30,028. Males had a median income of $29,623 versus $18,913 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $13,446. About 23.60% of families and 28.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.60% of those under age 18 and 24.00% of those age 65 or over.
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...
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,008. 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 Arkansas City
Arkansas City, Arkansas
Arkansas City is a town in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 366 at the 2010 census. The town is the county seat of Desha County.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
. Desha County is Arkansas's 40th county, formed on December 12, 1838, and named for Captain Benjamin Desha
Benjamin Desha
Benjamin Desha was an American soldier and politician. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. In 1822, Desha was appointed a receiver of public moneys by President James Monroe for the Arkansas Territory and moved there from Kentucky. He died on November 21, 1835.-References:...
who fought in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 819.52 square miles (2,122.5 km²), of which 764.99 square miles (1,981.3 km²) (or 93.35%) is land and 54.53 square miles (141.2 km²) (or 6.65%) is water. Desha County is alternately considered as part of the larger regions of South ArkansasSouth Arkansas
South Arkansas lies within the southern most portions of Arkansas Gulf Coastal Plain and Delta regions. It encompasses the lower 15 counties of the state.-History:...
and Southeast Arkansas.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 65
U.S. Highway 165
U.S. Highway 278
Highway 1
Highway 4
Adjacent counties
- Arkansas CountyArkansas County, ArkansasArkansas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 19,019. The county has two county seats, De Witt and Stuttgart...
(north) - Phillips County (northeast)
- Bolivar CountyBolivar County, Mississippi-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 40,633 people, 13,776 households, and 9,725 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 people per square mile . There were 14,939 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
(east) - Chicot CountyChicot County, ArkansasChicot County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population is 11,800. The county seat is Lake Village. Chicot County is Arkansas's tenth county, formed on October 25, 1823, and named after Point Chicot on the Mississippi River.Landmarks around the county include...
(south) - Drew County (southwest)
- Lincoln CountyLincoln County, ArkansasLincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas and is included in the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population is 14,134. The county seat is Star City. Lincoln County is Arkansas's 65th county, formed on March 28, 1871, and named for Abraham Lincoln,...
(northwest)
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 15,341 people, 5,922 households, and 4,192 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 20 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 6,663 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 50.50% 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...
, 46.33% 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...
, 0.35% 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...
, 0.30% 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...
, 0.03% 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...
, 1.73% 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 0.76% from two or more races. 3.16% 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 5,922 households out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.50% 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, 19.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.90% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $24,121, and the median income for a family was $30,028. Males had a median income of $29,623 versus $18,913 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 $13,446. About 23.60% of families and 28.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.60% of those under age 18 and 24.00% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
|
McGehee, Arkansas McGehee is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,219 at the 2010 census.-History:The history of the city of McGehee and the history of the railroad through McGehee are intricately interwoven... Mitchellville, Arkansas Mitchellville is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 360 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Mitchellville is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:... |
Napoleon, Arkansas Napoleon is a ghost town in Desha County, Arkansas, United States, near the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. Once the county seat of Desha County, Napoleon was flooded when the banks of the Mississippi River burst through and destroyed the once-thriving river port town.The town... (historic) Reed, Arkansas Reed is a town in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 141 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Reed is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.-Demographics:... |
Tillar, Arkansas Tillar is a city in Desha and Drew counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 225 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Tillar is located at .... Watson, Arkansas Watson is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 211 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Watson is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Townships
- Bowie (most of McGeheeMcGehee, ArkansasMcGehee is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,219 at the 2010 census.-History:The history of the city of McGehee and the history of the railroad through McGehee are intricately interwoven...
) - Clayton (ReedReed, ArkansasReed is a town in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 141 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Reed is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.-Demographics:...
, TillarTillar, ArkansasTillar is a city in Desha and Drew counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 225 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Tillar is located at ....
, small part of McGeheeMcGehee, ArkansasMcGehee is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,219 at the 2010 census.-History:The history of the city of McGehee and the history of the railroad through McGehee are intricately interwoven...
) - Franklin (Arkansas CityArkansas City, ArkansasArkansas City is a town in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 366 at the 2010 census. The town is the county seat of Desha County.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
) - Halley (small part of McGeheeMcGehee, ArkansasMcGehee is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,219 at the 2010 census.-History:The history of the city of McGehee and the history of the railroad through McGehee are intricately interwoven...
) - Jefferson
- Mississippi
- Randolph (MitchellvilleMitchellville, ArkansasMitchellville is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 360 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Mitchellville is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
, most of DumasDumas, ArkansasDumas is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,706 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Dumas is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
) - Red Fork (WatsonWatson, ArkansasWatson is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 211 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Watson is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
) - Richland
- Silver Lake
- Walnut Lake
Notable people
- Garland E. BaylissGarland E. BaylissGarland Erastus Bayliss is a retired historian and director emeritus of academic services at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, whose research was primarily in the history of his native Arkansas and the American South...
- Ken CoonKen CoonKenneth Lloyd "Ken" Coon, Sr. , is a Little Rock educator, professional psychologist, and counselor who was also a pioneer in the development of the Republican Party in the U.S. state of Arkansas. He was the GOP state chairman from 1988—1990...
- John "Kayo" Dottley
- Jim HinesJim HinesJames "Jim" Ray Hines is a former American track and field athlete, who held the 100 m world record for 15 years. He was the first sprinter to officially break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters.-Track career:...
- John H. JohnsonJohn H. JohnsonJohn Harold Johnson was an American businessman and publisher. He was the founder of the Johnson Publishing Company. In 1982 he became the first African-American to appear on the Forbes 400.ÀčĐċĎ- Biography :...
- Major JonesMajor JonesMajor James Brooks Jones is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. He attended and played collegiately at Albany State University....
- Doug TerryDoug TerryDouglas Maurice "Doug" Terry is a former professional American football player who played defensive back for four seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs.-References:...
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Desha County, ArkansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Desha County, ArkansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Desha County, Arkansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Desha County, Arkansas, United States...