Jefferson County, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Jefferson County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Arkansas
. Its population was 77,435 at the 2010 United States Census
. It is included in the Pine Bluff
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Jefferson County's county seat
and largest city is Pine Bluff
. Jefferson County is Arkansas's 21st county, formed on November 2, 1829, from portions of Arkansas
and Pulaski counties, and named for Thomas Jefferson
, third President of the United States
.
, is located in the Arkansas Delta
with the remaining portion in the Arkansas Timberlands
. Consequently, it is largely low lying flatland to the east used primarily for agriculture and expanses of trees used for timber to the west.
of cotton, the most in Arkansas, and the second-most throughout the South. Transportation companies serving the county at the time included the Cotton Belt Route
, the St. Louis – San Francisco Railway, Missouri Pacific
, the Arkansas River Packet Company, the Wiley Jones Street Car Lines, and the Citizens Street Railway Company.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 84,278 people, 30,555 households, and 21,510 families residing in the county. The population density
was 95 people per square mile (37/km²). There were 34,350 housing units at an average density of 39 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 49.58% Black
or African American
, 48.46% White
, 0.24% Native American
, 0.66% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 0.26% from other races
, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. By comparison, the county had 15,714 residents in 1870, 20% of whom were White.
In the county there were 30,555 households out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.40% were married couples
living together, 18.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 26.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13. The population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,327, and the median income for a family was $38,252. Males had a median income of $31,848 versus $21,867 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,417. About 16.00% of families and 20.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.60% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.
are in the "Pine Bluff Complex" in Pine Bluff. The headquarters of the Arkansas Correctional School
system are within the Pine Bluff Complex.
The Arkansas Department of Correction Maximum Security Unit is 25 miles (40.2 km) north of central Pine Bluff and off of Arkansas Highway 15
in unincorporated
Jefferson County. The Tucker Unit
is also located north of Pine Bluff.
The Arkansas Department of Community Correction
Southeast Arkansas Community Corrections Center is in Pine Bluff.
Historically the Arkansas Boys' Industrial School and the Arkansas Negro Boys' Industrial School
were in the county.
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...
. Its population was 77,435 at the 2010 United States Census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. It is included in the Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff metropolitan area
The Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is a three-county region in southeast Arkansas, anchored by the city of Pine Bluff. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 107,341...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Jefferson County's 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....
and largest city is Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
. Jefferson County is Arkansas's 21st county, formed on November 2, 1829, from portions of Arkansas
Arkansas County, Arkansas
Arkansas 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...
and Pulaski counties, and named for Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, third President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 913.7 square miles (2,366.5 km²), of which 884.82 square miles (2,291.7 km²) (or 96.84%) is land and 28.88 square miles (74.8 km²) (or 3.16%) is water. About 75% of the county including the largest city, Pine BluffPine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
, is located in the Arkansas Delta
Arkansas Delta
The Arkansas Delta is one of the five natural regions of the state of Arkansas. It runs along the eastern border of the state next to the Mississippi River. It is part of the Mississippi River alluvial plain, itself part of the Mississippi embayment...
with the remaining portion in the Arkansas Timberlands
Arkansas Timberlands
The Arkansas Timberlands, sometimes also called Southern Arkansas or Southwestern Arkansas, is a region of the U.S. state of Arkansas. It can be roughly defined by Sevier County in the northwest, a portion of Jefferson County in the northeast, Ashley County in the southeast, and Miller County in...
. Consequently, it is largely low lying flatland to the east used primarily for agriculture and expanses of trees used for timber to the west.
History
In 1886, Jefferson County produced 55,120 balesBaler
A baler is a piece of farm machinery used to compress a cut and raked crop into compact bales that are easy to handle, transport and store...
of cotton, the most in Arkansas, and the second-most throughout the South. Transportation companies serving the county at the time included the Cotton Belt Route
St. Louis Southwestern Railway
The St. Louis Southwestern Railway , known by its nickname of "The Cotton Belt Route" or simply Cotton Belt, was organized on January 15, 1891, although it had its origins in a series of short lines founded in Tyler, Texas, in 1870 that connected northeastern Texas to Arkansas and southeastern...
, the St. Louis – San Francisco Railway, Missouri Pacific
Missouri Pacific Railroad
The Missouri Pacific Railroad , also known as the MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River. MoPac was a Class I railroad growing from dozens of predecessors and mergers, including the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway , Texas and Pacific...
, the Arkansas River Packet Company, the Wiley Jones Street Car Lines, and the Citizens Street Railway Company.
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 84,278 people, 30,555 households, and 21,510 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 95 people per square mile (37/km²). There were 34,350 housing units at an average density of 39 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 49.58% 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...
, 48.46% 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...
, 0.24% 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...
, 0.66% 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...
, 0.04% 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...
, 0.26% 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. 0.96% 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. By comparison, the county had 15,714 residents in 1870, 20% of whom were White.
In the county there were 30,555 households out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.40% 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, 18.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 26.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13. The population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,327, and the median income for a family was $38,252. Males had a median income of $31,848 versus $21,867 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 $15,417. About 16.00% of families and 20.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.60% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC) operates its headquarters in Pine Bluff. The ADC headquarters moved to the Pine Bluff Complex in 1979. The administrative Annex East is on Harding Avenue in Pine Bluff, south of city hall. The Diagnostic Unit, the Pine Bluff Unit, and the Randall L. Williams Correctional FacilityRandall L. Williams Correctional Facility
The Randall L. Williams Correctional Facility is a prison of the Arkansas Department of Correction located in the "Pine Bluff Complex" in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The 106 bed facility sits on a plot of land....
are in the "Pine Bluff Complex" in Pine Bluff. The headquarters of the Arkansas Correctional School
Arkansas Correctional School
Arkansas Correctional School is the education system serving the Arkansas Department of Correction prisons and the Arkansas Department of Community Correction facilities. The district opened in 1973 when Act 279 was passed by the Arkansas General Assembly...
system are within the Pine Bluff Complex.
The Arkansas Department of Correction Maximum Security Unit is 25 miles (40.2 km) north of central Pine Bluff and off of Arkansas Highway 15
Arkansas Highway 15
Arkansas Highway 15 is a designation for two state highways in Arkansas. The northern segment of runs from Altheimer north across Interstate 40 to Furlow. The southern segment of is entirely in Union County, and runs from Louisiana Highway 161 north to U.S...
in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
Jefferson County. The Tucker Unit
Tucker Unit
The Tucker Unit is a prison in Tucker, unincorporated Jefferson County, Arkansas, northeast of Pine Bluff. It is operated by the Arkansas Department of Correction...
is also located north of Pine Bluff.
The Arkansas Department of Community Correction
Arkansas Department of Community Correction
The Arkansas Department of Community Correction is the parole and community corrections state agency of Arkansas. Its headquarters are in Two Union National Plaza in Little Rock....
Southeast Arkansas Community Corrections Center is in Pine Bluff.
Historically the Arkansas Boys' Industrial School and the Arkansas Negro Boys' Industrial School
Arkansas Negro Boys' Industrial School
The Arkansas Negro Boys' Industrial School was a juvenile correctional facility for black male children in Arkansas.There were two locations in 1936, with one in Jefferson County, and one in Wrightsville. The juvenile correctional facility in Wrightsville was southeast of Little Rock. As of March...
were in the county.
Major highways
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Interstate 530Interstate 530Interstate 530 in Arkansas is a spur route of the Interstate highway system, traveling from Little Rock at the junction of Interstate 30 and Interstate 440 in the northwest, to Pine Bluff in the southeast.-Route description:...
U.S. Highway 65
U.S. Highway 79
U.S. Highway 270
U.S. Highway 425
Highway 15Arkansas Highway 15Arkansas Highway 15 is a designation for two state highways in Arkansas. The northern segment of runs from Altheimer north across Interstate 40 to Furlow. The southern segment of is entirely in Union County, and runs from Louisiana Highway 161 north to U.S...
Highway 31Arkansas Highway 31Arkansas Highway 31 is a north–south state highway in Central Arkansas. The route of runs from US Route 79 Business near Pine Bluff north across US 165, US 70, Interstate 40 and US 64/US 67/US 167 before terminating at Highway 5 near Romance.-Route description:The highway begins north of Pine...
Highway 46
Highway 58Arkansas Highway 58Arkansas Highway 58 is a state highway of that runs in Stone, Izard, and Sharp Counties.-Route description:AR 58 begins at AR 14 and runs north, crossing the White River and Guion. It continues north until meeting AR 69 south of Sage. The route continues east to Maxville, where it meets US 167. AR...
Highway 81
Highway 88
Cities and towns
|
Redfield, Arkansas Redfield is a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It was incorporated by the County Court on October 18, 1898. The city population was 1,157 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Sherrill, Arkansas Sherrill is a town in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. Its population was 126 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Sherrill is located at .... |
Wabbaseka, Arkansas Wabbaseka is a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. Its population was 323 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Wabbaseka is located at .... White Hall, Arkansas White Hall is a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States, with a population of 4,732 in the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area and like Pine Bluff, adjoins the Pine Bluff Arsenal... |
Townships
- Barraque (RedfieldRedfield, ArkansasRedfield is a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It was incorporated by the County Court on October 18, 1898. The city population was 1,157 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area....
) - Bogy
- Bolivar
- Dudley Lake
- Dunnington (WabbasekaWabbaseka, ArkansasWabbaseka is a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. Its population was 323 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Wabbaseka is located at ....
) - Jefferson
- Melton
- Niven
- Old River
- Pastoria
- Plum Bayou (AltheimerAltheimer, ArkansasAltheimer is a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. Its population was 1,192 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the 'Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area'.-Geography:Altheimer is located at ....
, SherrillSherrill, ArkansasSherrill is a town in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. Its population was 126 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Sherrill is located at ....
) - Richland
- Roberts (HumphreyHumphrey, ArkansasHumphrey is a city in Arkansas and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. Its population was 806 at the 2000 census. It is included in the 'Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area'.-Geography:Humphrey is located at ....
) - Spring
- Talladega
- Vaugine (Pine BluffPine Bluff, ArkansasPine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
) - Victoria
- Villemont
- Washington (White HallWhite Hall, ArkansasWhite Hall is a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States, with a population of 4,732 in the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area and like Pine Bluff, adjoins the Pine Bluff Arsenal...
) - Whiteville
Adjacent counties
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson County, ArkansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson County, ArkansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson County, Arkansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States...
External links
- Jefferson County from the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & CultureEncyclopedia of Arkansas History & CultureThe Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture , a web-based reference work, is a project of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System and is the only state encyclopedia sponsored by a public library...
- Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System