List of counties in Arkansas

List of counties in Arkansas. The state of Arkansas is divided into 75 countys, each with its own county seat and local government. The Arkansas General Assembly has established these counties, with the oldest being Arkansas County, established on December 13, 1813, and the most recent being Lincoln County, Arkansas, established on March 28, 1871, and Desha County and Drew County being re-established. The counties are governed by a quorum court, composed of justice of the peaces, and a county judge, who is the chief executive officer of the county, similar to the mayor of a city.

Introduction

The Arkansas Constitution requires the Arkansas General Assembly to review and adjust the boundaries of the counties every 10 years to ensure that they remain roughly equal in population. This process has resulted in the creation of new counties, such as Craighead County and Poinsett County, and the merger of others, like Dorsey County and Jackson County, Arkansas. The United States Census Bureau also plays a crucial role in the process, providing data on population growth and shifts, which informs the decisions of the Arkansas General Assembly. The Arkansas State Legislature has also established various laws and regulations governing the administration of counties, including the Arkansas County Government Act.

List of Counties

The 75 counties of Arkansas are: Arkansas County, Ashley County, Baxter County, Benton County, Arkansas, Boone County, Arkansas, Bradley County, Arkansas, Calhoun County, Arkansas, Carroll County, Arkansas, Chicot County, Clark County, Arkansas, Clay County, Arkansas, Cleburne County, Arkansas, Cleveland County, Arkansas, Columbia County, Arkansas, Conway County, Arkansas, Craighead County, Crawford County, Arkansas, Crittenden County, Arkansas, Cross County, Arkansas, Dallas County, Arkansas, Desha County, Drew County, Faulkner County, Arkansas, Franklin County, Arkansas, Fulton County, Arkansas, Garland County, Arkansas, Grant County, Arkansas, Greene County, Arkansas, Hempstead County, Arkansas, Hot Spring County, Arkansas, Howard County, Arkansas, Independence County, Arkansas, Izard County, Arkansas, Jackson County, Arkansas, Jefferson County, Arkansas, Johnson County, Arkansas, Lafayette County, Arkansas, Lawrence County, Arkansas, Lee County, Arkansas, Lincoln County, Arkansas, Little River County, Arkansas, Logan County, Arkansas, Lonoke County, Arkansas, Madison County, Arkansas, Marion County, Arkansas, Miller County, Arkansas, Mississippi County, Arkansas, Monroe County, Arkansas, Montgomery County, Arkansas, Newton County, Arkansas, Ouachita County, Arkansas, Perry County, Arkansas, Phillips County, Arkansas, Pike County, Arkansas, Poinsett County, Polk County, Arkansas, Pope County, Arkansas, Prairie County, Arkansas, Pulaski County, Arkansas, Randolph County, Arkansas, Saline County, Arkansas, Scott County, Arkansas, Searcy County, Arkansas, Sebastian County, Arkansas, Sevier County, Arkansas, Sharp County, Arkansas, St. Francis County, Arkansas, Stone County, Arkansas, Union County, Arkansas, Van Buren County, Arkansas, Washington County, Arkansas, White County, Arkansas, Woodruff County, Arkansas, and Yell County, Arkansas. Each county has its own unique characteristics, such as the Ouachita National Forest in Polk County, Arkansas and the Buffalo National River in Newton County, Arkansas. The University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University also have a presence in several counties, including Washington County, Arkansas and Craighead County.

County Equivalents

In addition to the 75 counties, Arkansas also has several county equivalents, including the City of Fort Smith, which is a municipal corporation and has its own city council and mayor. The City of Little Rock is also a county equivalent, with its own city government and pulaski county-level services. The Quorum Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas has a unique structure, with 15 justice of the peaces representing different districts within the county. The Arkansas Municipal League provides support and resources to these county equivalents, as well as to the counties themselves.

Former Counties

Several counties have been established and abolished over the years, including Dorsey County, which was established in 1873 and abolished in 1885, and Lovely County, which was established in 1827 and abolished in 1828. The Arkansas Territory was also divided into several counties, including Arkansas County and Lawrence County, Arkansas, which were established in 1813 and 1815, respectively. The Louisiana Purchase and the Adams-Onís Treaty also played a role in the establishment and abolition of counties in Arkansas. The United States Congress has also passed laws governing the creation and abolition of counties, including the Arkansas Enabling Act.

Demographics

The demographics of the counties in Arkansas vary widely, with some counties, such as Pulaski County, Arkansas, having a large and diverse population, while others, such as Calhoun County, Arkansas, are more rural and have a smaller population. The United States Census Bureau provides data on the population, income, and education levels of each county, which is used by the Arkansas General Assembly to inform decisions about funding and resource allocation. The Arkansas Department of Education also provides data on the educational attainment of each county, which is used to identify areas of need and allocate resources accordingly. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Arkansas Children's Hospital also provide healthcare services to the population of several counties, including Pulaski County, Arkansas and Washington County, Arkansas.

Geography

The geography of the counties in Arkansas is also diverse, with some counties, such as Newton County, Arkansas, being mountainous and heavily forested, while others, such as Mississippi County, Arkansas, are flat and agricultural. The Ouachita Mountains and the Ozark Mountains run through several counties, including Polk County, Arkansas and Newton County, Arkansas. The Arkansas River and the Mississippi River also form the boundaries of several counties, including Pulaski County, Arkansas and Desha County. The United States Geological Survey provides data on the geology and natural resources of each county, which is used by the Arkansas General Assembly to inform decisions about land use and resource management. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission also manages the natural resources of several counties, including Newton County, Arkansas and Pope County, Arkansas. Category:Arkansas counties