White County, Arkansas Explained

County:White County
State:Arkansas
Seal:White-county-seal.gif
Seal Size:150
Flag:White-county-flag.jpg
Flag Size:150
Founded Year:1835
Founded Date:October 23
Seat Wl:Searcy
Largest City Wl:Searcy
Area Total Sq Mi:1042
Area Land Sq Mi:1035
Area Water Sq Mi:7.1
Area Percentage:0.7%
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:76822
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Web:http://www.whitecountyar.org/
Ex Image:WhiteCoARCourthouse.JPG
Ex Image Cap:White County Courthouse and Confederate monument in Searcy
District:2nd
Time Zone:Central
Named For:Hugh Lawson White

White County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 76,822.[1] The county seat is Searcy.[2] White County is Arkansas's 31st county, formed on October 23, 1835, from portions of Independence, Jackson, and Pulaski counties and named for Hugh Lawson White, a Whig candidate for President of the United States. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county, though a few private establishments (such as the Searcy Country Club, and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Searcy and Beebe) can serve alcohol.

White County comprises the Searcy, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Little Rock-North Little Rock, AR Combined Statistical Area.

History

On May 17, 1862, White County was the site of the Little Red Skirmish between Union Major General Samuel J Curtis and a force of about 100 loosely-organized Confederates, followed by the battle at Whitney Lane in June.[3] also known as The Skirmish at Searcy Landing.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (0.7%) is water.[5] It is the second-largest county by area in Arkansas.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National and state protected areas

Demographics

2020 census

Race!scope="col"
NumberPercentage
White (non-Hispanic)64,36383.78%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)3,6774.79%
Native American3190.42%
Asian6160.8%
Pacific Islander250.03%
Other/Mixed4,3235.63%
Hispanic or Latino3,4994.55%
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 76,822 people, 28,621 households, and 18,028 families residing in the county.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[7] there were 67,165 people, 25,148 households, and 18,408 families residing in the county. The population density was 65sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 27,613 housing units at an average density of 27/mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 93.52% White, 3.56% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 1.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 25,148 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 12.80% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,203, and the median income for a family was $38,782. Males had a median income of $29,884 versus $20,323 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,890. About 10.40% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over.

Government

In 1988, White County elected virtually an entire slate of Republicans to county offices. Though such Republican sweeps had frequently occurred in northern and northwestern Arkansas, White County was the first in the Little Rock area to turn to Republicans as the party steadily made inroads toward a two-party system.[8] A portion of White County is represented in the Arkansas State Senate by the Republican Ronald R. Caldwell, a real estate businessman from Wynne in Cross County. The 45th and current White County Judge is Michael Lincoln of Searcy, who assumed office in January 2007.Over the past few election cycles White County has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat (as of 2024) to carry this county was Bill Clinton in 1996.

Economy

One of the state's largest banks, First Security Bank, was established in Searcy in 1932 as Security Bank. First Security now has over $8 billion in assets and 78 locations in Arkansas.

The first Wal-Mart distribution center away from the corporate headquarters in Bentonville was established in Searcy.

Education

Public education

Public education is provided by several public school districts including:

Private education

  • CrossPointe Preparatory, Searcy, Churches of Christ
  • Harding Academy, Searcy, Churches of Christ
  • Liberty Christian School, Searcy, Christian
  • Lighthouse Christian Academy, Beebe, Pentecostal
  • Sunshine School, Searcy
  • Trinity Christian School, Bradford, Baptist

Colleges and universities

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Historic towns

Townships

[9] [10]

Source:

See also

External links

35.2558°N -91.7347°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Census - Geography Profile: White County, Arkansas. United States Census Bureau. January 21, 2023.
  2. Web site: Find a County. June 7, 2011. National Association of Counties.
  3. Web site: Skirmish at Little Red River (May 17, 1862) . Encyclopedia of Arkansas . September 13, 2011 . November 30, 2018.
  4. Web site: Action at Whitney's Lane . Encyclopedia of Arkansas . November 30, 2018.
  5. Web site: 2010 Census Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. August 27, 2015. August 22, 2012.
  6. Web site: Wildlife Management Areas . AGFC . July 10, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100201075843/http://www.agfc.com/data-facts-maps/maps/wildlife-mgt-areas/henry-gray-hurricane-lake.aspx . February 1, 2010 .
  7. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. May 14, 2011.
  8. [Osro Cobb]
  9. U. S. Census Bureau . 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): White County, AR . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019170830/http://www2.census.gov/geo/pvs/bas/bas11/st05_ar/cou/c05145_white/BAS11C20514500000_000.pdf . dead . October 19, 2012 . August 24, 2011.
  10. Web site: Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps – County Subdivision . . May 29, 2014.

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