Chicot County, Arkansas

Chicot County, Arkansas
Location in the state of Arkansas
Arkansas's location in the U.S.
Founded	October 25, 1823
Seat	Lake Village
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	690.88 sq mi (1,789 km²) 644.03 sq mi (1,668 km²) 46.86 sq mi (121 km²), 6.78%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	11,800 18/sq mi (7/km²)

Chicot 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 Lake Chicot, North America's largest oxbow lake and Arkansas's largest natural lake; the site of Charles Lindbergh's first night-time flight; and the legendary burial site of Hernando De Soto, near Lake Village.

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 690.88 square miles (1,789.4 km²), of which 644.03 square miles (1,668.0 km²) (or 93.22%) is land and 46.86 square miles (121.4 km²) (or 6.78%) is water.^[1]

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 65
• U.S. Highway 82
• U.S. Highway 165
• U.S. Highway 278
• Highway 8
• Highway 35
• Highway 159

Adjacent counties

• Desha County (north)
• Washington County, Mississippi (east)
• Issaquena County, Mississippi (southeast)
• East Carroll Parish, Louisiana (south)
• West Carroll Parish, Louisiana (southwest)
• Ashley County (west)
• Drew County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1830	1,165		—
1840	3,806		226.7%
1850	5,115		34.4%
1860	9,234		80.5%
1870	7,214		−21.9%
1880	10,117		40.2%
1890	11,419		12.9%
1900	14,528		27.2%
1910	21,987		51.3%
1920	21,749		−1.1%
1930	22,646		4.1%
1940	27,452		21.2%
1950	22,306		−18.7%
1960	18,990		−14.9%
1970	18,164		−4.3%
1980	17,793		−2.0%
1990	15,713		−11.7%
2000	14,117		−10.2%
2010	11,800		−16.4%
[2][3][4]

Age pyramid Chicot County^[5]

As of the census^[6] of 2000, there were 14,117 people, 5,205 households, and 3,643 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 5,974 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 43.24% White, 53.96% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.41% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 2.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,205 households out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.70% were married couples living together, 22.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $22,024, and the median income for a family was $27,960. Males had a median income of $25,899 versus $17,115 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,825. About 23.10% of families and 28.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.30% of those under age 18 and 20.70% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2010 the county population was 11,800. The racial make-up was 40.35% Non-Hispanic whites, 54.08% blacks, 0.19% Native Americans, 0.47% Asians, 0.03% Pacific Islanders and 4.59% Hispanics or Latinos.

Politics

The county is traditionally Democratic. In the last century the only Democrat to lose the county was George McGovern.^[7] Although there's been some trending toward the Republicans the Republican Presidential candidate has not received over 40% in any of the last five Presidential elections.^[8]

It is part of Arkansas's 4th congressional district, which is represented by Democrat Mike Ross. In the Arkansas Senate the county is in District 24 and is represented by Democrat Jimmy Jeffress.^[9] In the Arkansas House of Representatives it is in District 12 and represented by Democrat Robert Moore.^[10] The county supported a measure prohibiting "co-habiting couples" from adopting.^[11]

Notable natives

• Larry D. Alexander - Visual Artist/Author
• Robert L. Hill - Founder of the Progressive Farmers and Household Union of America.

Cities and towns

• Dermott
• Eudora
• Lake Village

Townships

Townships in Chicot County, Arkansas as of 2010

Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas and some may have incorporated towns or cities within part of their space. Townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the US Census does list Arkansas population based on townships (often referred to as "minor civil divisions"). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps. The townships of Chicot County are listed below with the town(s) and/or city that are fully or partially inside them listed in parentheses. ^[12][13]

• Bowie (Dermott)
• Carlton (Lake Village)
• Planters (Eudora)

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Chicot County, Arkansas

References

1. ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/county2k.txt. Retrieved 2011-02-13. 
2. ^ http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/cencounts/files/ar190090.txt
3. ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov
4. ^ http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/
5. ^ Based on 2000 census data
6. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
7. ^ Geographie Electorale
8. ^ The New York Times electoral map (Zoom in on Arkansas)
9. ^ Arkansas Senate site
10. ^ Arkansas House of Representatives site
11. ^ Arkansas election site
12. ^ US Census Bureau. 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Chicot County, AR (Map). http://www2.census.gov/geo/pvs/bas/bas11/st05_ar/cou/c05017_chicot/BAS11C20501700000_000.pdf. Retrieved 20110811. 
13. ^ http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/DC10_GUBlkMap/cousub/dc10blk_st05_cousub.html#C

Coordinates: 33°17′53″N 91°16′30″W / 33.29806°N 91.275°W / 33.29806; -91.275