LLMpediaThe first transparent, open encyclopedia generated by LLMs

Cleburne County, Arkansas

Generated by DeepSeek V3.2
⚠Note: This article was automatically generated by a large language model (LLM) from purely parametric knowledge (no retrieval). It may contain inaccuracies or hallucinations. This encyclopedia is part of a research project currently under review.
Article Genealogy
Parent: Congressman Mills Hop 4
Expansion Funnel Raw 89 → Dedup 62 → NER 36 → Enqueued 18
1. Extracted89
2. After dedup62 (None)
3. After NER36 (None)
Rejected: 26 (not NE: 26)
4. Enqueued18 (None)
Similarity rejected: 8
Cleburne County, Arkansas
CountyCleburne County
StateArkansas
Founded year1883
Founded dateFebruary 20
SeatHeber Springs
Largest cityHeber Springs
Area total sq mi592
Area land sq mi553
Area water sq mi39
Area percentage6.6%
Population as of2020
Population total24,711
Population density sq mi44.7
Time zoneCentral
District1st
Named forPatrick Cleburne

Cleburne County, Arkansas is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was 24,711. The county seat and largest city is Heber Springs, a popular destination for outdoor recreation. The county is part of the Little Rock metropolitan area and is known for its scenic beauty centered around Greers Ferry Lake and the Little Red River.

History

Cleburne County was formed on February 20, 1883, from portions of Independence, Van Buren, and White counties. It was named for Patrick Cleburne, a Confederate major general from Arkansas who died at the Battle of Franklin. Early settlement was driven by the establishment of the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad and the development of the Heber Springs area as a health resort due to its mineral springs. The county's history is closely tied to the Little Red River, which was dammed in the 1960s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create Greers Ferry Lake, a project authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and championed by Senator John L. McClellan. This transformation spurred significant economic and recreational development, shifting the local economy from its earlier reliance on agriculture and timber.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 592 square miles, of which 553 square miles is land and 39 square miles (6.6%) is water. The county is situated within the Salem Plateau region of the Ozark Mountains. Its most prominent geographical features are Greers Ferry Lake and the Little Red River, which are renowned for fishing, particularly for trout. Other significant waterways include the Middle Fork Little Red River and Devils Fork. The county contains parts of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest and is home to Sugar Loaf Mountain, a notable island in Greers Ferry Lake. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and numerous bluffs along the shoreline of the large reservoir.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 24,711 people, 10,429 households, and 7,162 families residing in the county. The racial makeup was 94.2% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, and 2.2% from two or more races; 2.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The population density was 44.7 inhabitants per square mile. The median household income was $46,776, and 13.8% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Government

Cleburne County government operates under the county judge system, as defined by the Arkansas Constitution. The county judge is the chief executive officer, presiding over the Quorum Court, which functions as the legislative body. The county is part of Arkansas's 1st congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Rick Crawford. At the state level, it lies within Arkansas Senate district 18 and House districts 58 and 59. Law enforcement is provided by the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office, and the county is within the jurisdiction of the 16th Judicial District of Arkansas.

Economy

The economy of Cleburne County is heavily driven by tourism and recreation, centered on Greers Ferry Lake and the Little Red River. Key industries include hospitality, retail, real estate development, and construction. Major employers include Lowe's, Walmart, and the Heber Springs School District. The Heber Springs Municipal Airport supports local business activity. Agriculture, particularly poultry farming and cattle ranching, remains a traditional sector, while timber production continues in forested areas. The presence of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and operations related to the lake and dam also contribute to the local economy.

Education

Public education is provided by several school districts, including the Heber Springs School District, West Side School District, and Quitman School District. The county is also served by the Arkansas State University-Beebe Heber Springs Campus, which offers associate degrees and workforce training. The Heber Springs Elementary School and Heber Springs High School are notable institutions within the largest district. There are no private four-year universities within the county, with students often attending institutions like the University of Central Arkansas in Conway or Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

Communities

The largest city and county seat is Heber Springs. Other incorporated communities include Quitman, Edgemont, and Tumbling Shoals. Numerous unincorporated communities and census-designated places dot the county, such as Concord, Drasco, Prim, and Wilburn. Many of these communities are located near the shores of Greers Ferry Lake or along major state highways like Highway 5, Highway 16, and Highway 25.

Category:Cleburne County, Arkansas Category:1883 establishments in Arkansas Category:Counties of the Arkansas Delta