Hempstead County, Arkansas

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Hempstead County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,065,[1] down from 22,609 at the 2010 census.[2] The county seat is Hope.[3] Hempstead County is Arkansas's fourth county, formed on December 15, 1818, alongside Clark and Pulaski counties. The county is named for Edward Hempstead, a delegate to the U.S. Congress from the Missouri Territory, which included present-day Arkansas at the time.[4] It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

The 42nd United States President, Bill Clinton, who served from 1993 to 2001, was born in the county seat of Hope on August 19, 1946.[5] As of 2025, Clinton is the only President to have been born in Arkansas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Script error: No such module "convert"., of which Script error: No such module "convert". is land and Script error: No such module "convert". (1.8%) is water.[6] Hempstead County is alternately considered as part of the greater regions of South Arkansas or Southwest Arkansas.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

Demographics

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Historical population
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191028,285Script error: No such module "String".%
192031,602Script error: No such module "String".%
193030,847Script error: No such module "String".%
194032,770Script error: No such module "String".%
195025,080Script error: No such module "String".%
196019,661Script error: No such module "String".%
197019,308Script error: No such module "String".%
198023,635Script error: No such module "String".%
199021,621Script error: No such module "String".%
200023,587Script error: No such module "String".%
201022,609Script error: No such module "String".%
202020,065Script error: No such module "String".%
2024 (est.)19,015[7]Script error: No such module "String".%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[2][1]

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 20,065. The median age was 40.3 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.9 males age 18 and over.[12][13]

The racial makeup of the county was 54.9% White, 28.3% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, less than 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 8.9% from some other race, and 6.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 14.7% of the population.[13]

44.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 55.9% lived in rural areas.[14]

There were 7,992 households in the county, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.2% were married-couple households, 19.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]

There were 9,601 housing units, of which 16.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.3% were owner-occupied and 32.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.2%.[12]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[15] there were 23,587 people, 8,959 households, and 6,378 families residing in the county. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 10,178 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the county was 63.28% White, 30.36% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. 8.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,959 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples living together, 15.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.30% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,622, and the median income for a family was $34,082. Males had a median income of $25,830 versus $17,383 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,103. About 16.00% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.20% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Government

The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of Arkansas and the Arkansas Code. The quorum court is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are called justices of the peace and are elected from county districts every even-numbered year. The number of districts in a county vary from nine to fifteen, and district boundaries are drawn by the county election commission. The Hempstead County Quorum Court has eleven members. Presiding over quorum court meetings is the county judge, who serves as the chief operating officer of the county. The county judge is elected at-large and does not vote in quorum court business, although capable of vetoing quorum court decisions.[16][17]

Hempstead County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials[18][19]
Position Officeholder Party
County Judge Jerry T. Crane Republican
County Clerk Karen Smith Republican
Circuit Clerk Gail Wolfengarger Democratic
Sheriff/Collector James Singleton Democratic
Treasurer Judy Lee Flowers Democratic
Assessor Renee Gilbert Republican
Coroner David W. Peters Republican

The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 7 Republicans and 3 Democrats, with one seat vacant due to no filings. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[18][20][21]

  • District 1: James Griffin (D) of Hope
  • District 2: (seat currently Vacant)
  • District 3: Doris Brown (D) of Hope
  • District 4: Ed B. Darling (R) of Hope
  • District 5: Victor Ford (R)
  • District 6: Troy K. Lerew (R) of Hope (seat currently Vacant)
  • District 7: Steve Atchley (R) of Hope
  • District 8: C. David Clayton (R) of Hope
  • District 9: Jessie Henry (D)
  • District 10: Jay Lathrop (R) of Nashville
  • District 11: B. Keith Steed (R)

Additionally, the townships of Hempstead County are entitled to elect their own respective constables, as set forth by the Constitution of Arkansas. Constables are largely of historical significance as they were used to keep the peace in rural areas when travel was more difficult.[22] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[21]

  • Bodcaw: David Keith Cummings (R)
  • Bois D'Arc: Maurice Henry (D)
  • Deroan: Reyn Brown (R)
  • Garland: Randall Hatfield (R)
  • Ozan: Becky Medlen-Billings (R)
  • Spring Hill: Jimmy F. Singleton (R)
  • Wallaceburg: Thomas Luke Everett (R)
  • Watercreek: Frankie Ingersoll (R)

Politics

Starting in 2008, voters of Hempstead County have shifted to the political right in US presidential elections. That said, the city of Hope is still very Democratic as of the 2024 election.[23]

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Communities

File:1874 Hempstead County, AR, Courthouse IMG 1498.JPG
The 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse in Washington is now a visitors center for Historic Washington State Park.
File:Hempstead County Veterans Monument IMG 1510.JPG
Veterans Monument in front of current 1939 Hempstead County Courthouse in Hope

Cities

Towns

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Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Template:Arkansas Townships About [24][25]

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See also

References

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External links

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