Crittenden County, Arkansas

Coordinates: 35°43′16″N 90°04′51″W / 35.72111°N 90.08083°W / 35.72111; -90.08083
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35°43′16″N 90°04′51″W / 35.72111°N 90.08083°W / 35.72111; -90.08083

Crittenden County
Crittenden County Courthouse in Marion
Map of Arkansas highlighting Crittenden County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Map of the United States highlighting Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°14′N 90°18′W / 35.24°N 90.3°W / 35.24; -90.3
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedOctober 22, 1825
Named forRobert Crittenden
SeatMarion
Largest cityWest Memphis
Area
 • Total636 sq mi (1,650 km2)
 • Land610 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Water27 sq mi (70 km2)  4.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total48,163
 • Density76/sq mi (29/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitehttp://crittenden.ark.org/
Cotton workers on the road, carrying all they possess in the world during the Great Depression. Crittenden County, Arkansas, 1936.

Crittenden County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 48,163.[1] The county seat is Marion,[2] and the largest city is West Memphis.

Crittenden County is part of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area. Most of the county's media comes from Memphis, although some Little Rock TV (Arkansas Educational Television Network, KATV) is imported by Comcast Cable. It lies within Arkansas's 1st congressional district.

History[edit]

Located in the Arkansas Delta, Crittenden County is Arkansas's 12th county, formed October 22, 1825, and named for Robert Crittenden,[3] the first Secretary of the Arkansas Territory.

The legislature selected the (now extant) community of Greenock as the first county seat, and court was first held there in the home of William Lloyd in June 1826. Greenock served as the county seat for almost a decade before it the seat was moved to Marion.[4]

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 636 square miles (1,650 km2), of which 610 square miles (1,600 km2) is land and 27 square miles (70 km2) (4.2%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties[edit]

National protected area[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18301,272
18401,56122.7%
18502,64869.6%
18604,92085.8%
18703,831−22.1%
18809,415145.8%
189013,94048.1%
190014,5294.2%
191022,44754.5%
192029,30930.6%
193039,71735.5%
194042,4736.9%
195047,18411.1%
196047,5640.8%
197048,1061.1%
198049,4992.9%
199049,9390.9%
200050,8661.9%
201050,9020.1%
202048,163−5.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10]
Age pyramid Crittenden County[11]

2020 census[edit]

Crittenden County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White 18,948 39.34%
Black or African American 25,804 53.58%
Native American 115 0.24%
Asian 322 0.67%
Pacific Islander 17 0.04%
Other/Mixed 1,529 3.17%
Hispanic or Latino 1,428 2.96%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 48,163 people, 19,074 households, and 11,964 families residing in the county.

2010 census[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 50,902 people living in the county. 51.2% were Black or African American, 46.1% White, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.8% of some other race and 1.1% of two or more races. 2.0% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census[edit]

As of the 2000 census,[13] there were 50,866 people, 18,471 households, and 13,373 families living in the county. The population density was 83 inhabitants per square mile (32/km2). There were 20,507 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 50.91% White, 47.05% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 18,471 households, out of which 37.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.80% were married couples living together, 21.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 9.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 91.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,109, and the median income for a family was $34,982. Males had a median income of $31,299 versus $21,783 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,424. About 21.00% of families and 25.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.30% of those under age 18 and 23.70% of those age 65 or over.

Education[edit]

Elementary and secondary education[edit]

Public school districts include:[14]

Former school districts:[15]

The Old Earle High School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Postsecondary education[edit]

Crittenden County is served by Arkansas State University Mid-South in West Memphis. The college offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in conjunction with Arkansas State University, The University of Arkansas, The University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University and Franklin University.[16]

Healthcare[edit]

Crittenden County was served by 152 Bed Crittenden Regional Hospital in West Memphis until late August 2014.[17] The hospital operated a number of outpatient clinics in Marion and West Memphis and a Pediatric Dental Clinic in cooperation with the UT Dental School.[18] Crittenden Regional Hospital has closed the ER and permanently closed on September 7 2014.[19]

The nearest hospitals are located in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Arkansas Department of Health operates a clinic in West Memphis.[20]

A number of private clinics also operate in Marion and West Memphis.[21]

Government[edit]

United States presidential election results for Crittenden County, Arkansas[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 7,333 44.80% 8,514 52.02% 520 3.18%
2016 6,964 43.66% 8,410 52.72% 578 3.62%
2012 6,998 41.86% 9,487 56.75% 231 1.38%
2008 7,650 41.91% 10,330 56.59% 275 1.51%
2004 6,930 45.29% 8,277 54.10% 93 0.61%
2000 5,857 44.26% 7,224 54.59% 153 1.16%
1996 4,673 32.83% 8,415 59.11% 1,148 8.06%
1992 5,910 34.55% 9,683 56.60% 1,515 8.86%
1988 7,441 51.73% 6,702 46.59% 241 1.68%
1984 6,663 47.82% 6,520 46.79% 751 5.39%
1980 6,248 45.20% 7,022 50.80% 553 4.00%
1976 5,202 38.63% 8,249 61.26% 14 0.10%
1972 7,971 71.06% 3,246 28.94% 0 0.00%
1968 2,454 23.18% 3,475 32.83% 4,657 43.99%
1964 4,065 48.96% 4,168 50.20% 69 0.83%
1960 2,234 43.56% 2,679 52.24% 215 4.19%
1956 2,476 50.81% 2,120 43.51% 277 5.68%
1952 1,865 38.34% 2,982 61.31% 17 0.35%
1948 137 5.73% 594 24.83% 1,661 69.44%
1944 372 19.38% 1,548 80.63% 0 0.00%
1940 72 3.53% 1,966 96.37% 2 0.10%
1936 22 1.17% 1,858 98.83% 0 0.00%
1932 37 1.51% 2,411 98.25% 6 0.24%
1928 304 15.68% 1,635 84.32% 0 0.00%
1924 77 8.81% 777 88.90% 20 2.29%
1920 167 15.46% 905 83.80% 8 0.74%
1916 91 13.91% 563 86.09% 0 0.00%
1912 89 11.17% 423 53.07% 285 35.76%
1908 382 46.59% 428 52.20% 10 1.22%
1904 412 54.14% 344 45.20% 5 0.66%
1900 381 53.21% 327 45.67% 8 1.12%
1896 258 28.89% 625 69.99% 10 1.12%

Transportation[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Airports[edit]

Crittenden County is served by the West Memphis Municipal Airport (KAWM),[23] a General Aviation facility with a Control Tower and Instrument Landing capabilities.[24] General DeWitt Spain Airport is a civil aviation airport just north of downtown Memphis.

The Memphis International Airport is nearby and provides commercial aviation through numerous carriers and is the international cargo hub for FedEx.

Rail[edit]

Union Pacific operates a 600 Acre intermodal facility west of Marion, Arkansas.[25] BNSF Railway also operates a yard in Marion.

Limited Passenger Rail is available on Amtrak at Memphis Central Station in nearby Memphis. The City of New Orleans runs twice daily on a north–south route from Chicago to New Orleans.[26]

Water[edit]

Crittenden County and West Memphis jointly operate a port on the Mississippi River.[27] The International Port of Memphis lies just across the Mississippi River via Interstate 55. The International Port of Memphis is the 4th largest inland port in the United States.[28]

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Towns[edit]

Townships[edit]

Townships in Crittenden County, Arkansas as of 2010

Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "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 and publications. The townships of Crittenden County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [29][30]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Crittenden County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 96.
  4. ^ Biographical and historical memoirs of eastern Arkansas. Chicago, St. Louis: Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1890.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  11. ^ Based on 2000 census data
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Crittenden County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2023. - Text list
  15. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Crittenden County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2023. - Text list
  16. ^ "ASU Mid-South | West Memphis, Arkansas |". ASU Mid-South | West Memphis, Arkansas. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  17. ^ "Crittenden Online Income Blog". Crittenden Online Income Blog. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  18. ^ "UT Pediatric Dentistry | Crittenden Regional Hospital". Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  19. ^ "CRITTENDEN REGIONAL HOSPITAL TO HALT SERVICES, CLOSE DOORS | Crittenden Regional Hospital". Archived from the original on August 30, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  20. ^ "ADH: Health Unit Details". Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  21. ^ http://www.arkmed.org/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/arkmed/htmlos.cgi/001366.7.385675122412990438[permanent dead link]
  22. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  23. ^ "Airport". Archived from the original on May 9, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  24. ^ "AirNav: KAWM - West Memphis Municipal Airport". www.airnav.com. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  25. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 17, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. ^ "Amtrak City of New Orleans - the Train Travels between Chicago and New Orleans through Memphis". Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  27. ^ http://westmemphis.com/industrial-sites/better-access/river[bare URL]
  28. ^ "Port of Memphis". Archived from the original on March 7, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  29. ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Crittenden County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  30. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 27, 2014.