Searcy County, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Searcy County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Arkansas
. As of 2010, the population was 8,195. The county seat
is Marshall
. The county was formed December 13, 1838, from a portion of Marion County and named for Richard Searcy, the first clerk and judge in the Arkansas Territory
. The city of Searcy
, Arkansas
, some seventy miles away, shares the name despite having never been part of Searcy County. The county is an alcohol prohibition or dry county
.
For more information about Searcy County, visit the official website of the Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce at:
http://www.searcycountyarkansas.org
of 2000, there were 8,261 people, 3,523 households, and 2,466 families residing in the county. The population density
was 12 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 4,292 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.26% White
, 0.04% Black
or African American
, 0.75% Native American
, 0.15% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.45% from other races
, and 1.34% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 3,523 households out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples
living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,397, and the median income for a family was $27,580. Males had a median income of $21,768 versus $16,276 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $12,536. About 17.80% of families and 23.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.00% of those under age 18 and 26.60% of those age 65 or over.
in political leanings. In the last thirteen Presidential elections Jimmy Carter
was the only Democrat to carry the county. It was one of the only counties in Arkansas to be won by Alf Landon
. In the 1992 election George H. W. Bush
won by the second highest margin in the state and the Republican nominee has received over 60% in each of the last three Presidential elections.
This is perhaps somewhat less true on a local level. The county is in Arkansas's 1st congressional district
, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index
of R+8 and is represented by Democrat Robert Marion Berry. In the Arkansas House of Representatives
they are represented by Republican Roy Ragland.
The state senator, Randy Laverty
, is of the Democratic Party although in gubernatorial races the county tends to favor Republicans. It is the only county in Arkansas where Republican Sheffield Nelson
won in both 1990 and 1994.
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 2010, the population was 8,195. 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 Marshall
Marshall, Arkansas
Marshall is a city in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,313 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Searcy County. Marshall was incorporated in 1884.-Geography:Marshall is located at ....
. The county was formed December 13, 1838, from a portion of Marion County and named for Richard Searcy, the first clerk and judge in the Arkansas Territory
Arkansas Territory
The Territory of Arkansas, initially organized as the Territory of Arkansaw, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1819 until June 15, 1836, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Arkansas.-History:The...
. The city of Searcy
Searcy, Arkansas
Searcy is the largest city and county seat of White County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,663. It is the principal city of the Searcy, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of White County...
, 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...
, some seventy miles away, shares the name despite having never been part of Searcy County. The county is an alcohol prohibition or dry county
Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
.
For more information about Searcy County, visit the official website of the Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce at:
http://www.searcycountyarkansas.org
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 668.51 square miles (1,731.4 km²), of which 667.15 square miles (1,727.9 km²) (or 99.80%) is land and 1.36 square miles (3.5 km²) (or 0.20%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 65
State Route 14
State Route 16
State Route 27
State Route 66
State Route 74
Adjacent counties
- Marion County (north)
- Baxter CountyBaxter County, ArkansasBaxter 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...
(northeast) - Stone County (east)
- Van Buren County (south)
- Pope County (southwest)
- Newton CountyNewton County, ArkansasNewton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population is 8,330. The county seat is Jasper. Newton County is Arkansas's 46th county, formed on December 14, 1842, and named for Thomas W. Newton, an Arkansas Congressman...
(west) - Boone CountyBoone County, ArkansasBoone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 36,903. The county seat is Harrison. Boone County is Arkansas's 62nd county, formed on April 9, 1869. Boone County is part of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Boone County...
(northwest)
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
As of the censusCensus
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 8,261 people, 3,523 households, and 2,466 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 12 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 4,292 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.26% 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...
, 0.04% 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...
, 0.75% 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...
, 0.15% 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...
, 0.01% 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...
, 0.45% 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 1.34% from two or more races. 1.04% 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 3,523 households out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% 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, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,397, and the median income for a family was $27,580. Males had a median income of $21,768 versus $16,276 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 $12,536. About 17.80% of families and 23.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.00% of those under age 18 and 26.60% of those age 65 or over.
Government and politics
Searcy is among the northwestern Arkansas counties that have been traditionally RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in political leanings. In the last thirteen Presidential elections Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
was the only Democrat to carry the county. It was one of the only counties in Arkansas to be won by Alf Landon
Alf Landon
Alfred Mossman "Alf" Landon was an American Republican politician, who served as the 26th Governor of Kansas from 1933–1937. He was best known for being the Republican Party's nominee for President of the United States, defeated in a landslide by Franklin D...
. In the 1992 election George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
won by the second highest margin in the state and the Republican nominee has received over 60% in each of the last three Presidential elections.
This is perhaps somewhat less true on a local level. The county is in Arkansas's 1st congressional district
Arkansas's 1st congressional district
Arkansas's 1st congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in northeastern Arkansas that elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives...
, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of R+8 and is represented by Democrat Robert Marion Berry. In the Arkansas House of Representatives
Arkansas House of Representatives
The Arkansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The House is composed of 100 members elected from an equal amount of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 26,734...
they are represented by Republican Roy Ragland.
The state senator, Randy Laverty
Randy Laverty
Randy Laverty is a Democratic member of the Arkansas Senate, representing the 2nd District since 2002. Previously he was a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1995 through 2001.-External links:* official government website* profile...
, is of the Democratic Party although in gubernatorial races the county tends to favor Republicans. It is the only county in Arkansas where Republican Sheffield Nelson
Sheffield Nelson
Sheffield E. Nelson is a lawyer, businessman, and politician from Little Rock, Arkansas. Originally a Democrat, Nelson in 1990 ran for governor of Arkansas as a Republican against then governor and future U.S. President Bill Clinton and in 1994 against the Democratic Governor Jim Guy Tucker.Nelson...
won in both 1990 and 1994.
Cities and towns
|
Marshall, Arkansas Marshall is a city in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,313 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Searcy County. Marshall was incorporated in 1884.-Geography:Marshall is located at .... Pindall, Arkansas Pindall is a town in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 95 at the 2000 census. The town is said to be named for Governor Xenophon Overton Pindall.-Geography:Pindall is located at .... |
St. Joe, Arkansas St. Joe is a town in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 85 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St. Joe is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.... |
Townships
- Bear Creek No. 4 (MarshallMarshall, ArkansasMarshall is a city in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,313 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Searcy County. Marshall was incorporated in 1884.-Geography:Marshall is located at ....
) - Bear Creek No. 5 (MarshallMarshall, ArkansasMarshall is a city in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,313 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Searcy County. Marshall was incorporated in 1884.-Geography:Marshall is located at ....
) - Bear Creek No. 6 (MarshallMarshall, ArkansasMarshall is a city in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,313 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Searcy County. Marshall was incorporated in 1884.-Geography:Marshall is located at ....
) - Calf Creek
- Long Creek
- Mount Pleasant
- Oxley
- Prairie (PindallPindall, ArkansasPindall is a town in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 95 at the 2000 census. The town is said to be named for Governor Xenophon Overton Pindall.-Geography:Pindall is located at ....
) - Red River
- Rock Creek
- Shady Grove
- Spring (MarshallMarshall, ArkansasMarshall is a city in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,313 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Searcy County. Marshall was incorporated in 1884.-Geography:Marshall is located at ....
) - St. Joe (St. JoeSt. Joe, ArkansasSt. Joe is a town in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 85 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St. Joe is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land....
) - Tomahawk (GilbertGilbert, ArkansasGilbert is a town in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 33 at the 2000 census, ranking it as one of the smallest municipalities in the state and nation...
, St. JoeSt. Joe, ArkansasSt. Joe is a town in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 85 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St. Joe is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land....
) - Wiley's Cove (LeslieLeslie, ArkansasLeslie is a city in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 482 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Leslie is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
)