Union County, Arkansas

Infobox U.S. County
county = Union County
state = Arkansas


map size = 225
founded = November 2, 1829
seat = El Dorado | area_total_sq_mi =1055
area_land_sq_mi =1039
area_water_sq_mi =16
area percentage = 1.55%
census yr = 2000
pop = 45629
density_km2 =17
web =
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Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population was 45,629. The county seat is El Dorado. The county was formed on November 2, 1829 and named in recognition of the citizens' petition for a new county, stating that they were petitioning "in the spirit of Union and Unity".

The El Dorado Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Union County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,055 square miles (2,733 km²), making it the largest county in the state by land area. 1,039 square miles (2,691 km²) of it is land and 16 square miles (42 km²) of it (1.55%) is water. Union County, along with Columbia County, has the largest bromine reserve in the United States.

Major highways

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Airports

South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field

Adjacent counties

*Ouachita County (northwest)
*Calhoun County (north)
*Bradley County (northeast)
*Ashley County (east)
*Morehouse Parish, Louisiana (southeast)
*Union Parish, Louisiana (south)
*Claiborne Parish, Louisiana (southwest)
*Columbia County (west)

Union County, Arkansas is one of the few counties in the United States to border as many as 8 counties.

Also, Union County, Arkansas, is one of the few counties in the United States to border its namesake in another state--in this case, Union Parish, Louisiana.

National protected area

* Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 45,629 people, 17,989 households, and 12,646 families residing in the county. The population density was 44 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 20,676 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.15% White, 31.97% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 17,989 households out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.30% were married couples living together, 15.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.90% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,809, and the median income for a family was $36,805. Males had a median income of $31,868 versus $19,740 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,063. About 14.70% of families and 18.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.80% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

References