Marion County | |
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Coordinates: 36°16′47″N92°42′57″W / 36.279722222222°N 92.715833333333°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Arkansas |
Founded | September 25, 1836 |
Named for | Francis Marion [1] |
Seat | Yellville |
Largest city | Bull Shoals |
Area | |
• Total | 640 sq mi (1,700 km2) |
• Land | 597 sq mi (1,550 km2) |
• Water | 43 sq mi (110 km2) 6.8% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 16,826 |
• Estimate (2023) | 17,514 |
• Density | 26/sq mi (10/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 1st |
Website | marioncounty |
Marion County is located in the Ozark Mountains in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The county is named for Francis Marion, the famous "Swamp Fox" of the Revolutionary War. Created as Arkansas's 35th county in 1836, Marion County is home to one incorporated town and four incorporated cities, including Yellville, the county seat. The county is also the site of numerous unincorporated communities and ghost towns. The county included part of what is now Searcy County, Arkansas, with many opposing to dividing them, which helped fueled the bloody Tutt-Everett War between 1844 and 1850.
Occupying 640 square miles (170,000 ha), the county's population was 16,826 as of the 2020 Census. [2] Based on population, the county ranks 42nd of the 75 in Arkansas. [3] Located in the Ozarks, the county is largely covered with rugged terrain and waterways, with the exception of King's Prairie in the southwestern portion. It is drained by the White River, Buffalo River, Crooked Creek, and the Little North Fork of White River. Protected areas of the county include Bull Shoals-White River State Park, Ozark National Forest, the Buffalo National River and four wildlife management areas (WMAs).
Although no Interstate highways are located in Marion County, two United States highways (U.S. Route 62 [US 62] and US 412) and eight Arkansas state highways run in the county. [4]
Prior to white settlement, the Ozark Plateau was inhabited by the Osage Indians for centuries. [5] Present-day Arkansas was under French rule from 1682 until the Spanish took over in 1762. The territory was returned to France in 1800 and then sold to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. In 1812, the Territory of Missouri was formed, containing all of the Louisiana Purchase except the modern state of Louisiana. To manage this expansive and sparsely populated territory, counties were formed. New Madrid County, Missouri covered much of southeastern Missouri and the northern part of Arkansas. This county was eventually subdivided into Lawrence County, which was later subdivided into Izard County. [5]
Marion County was formerly home to a large zinc mining industry. The ruins of the Rush Creek mining district are preserved as the Rush Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 640 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 597 square miles (1,550 km2) is land and 43 square miles (110 km2) (6.8%) is water. [6]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1840 | 1,325 | — | |
1850 | 2,308 | 74.2% | |
1860 | 6,192 | 168.3% | |
1870 | 3,979 | −35.7% | |
1880 | 7,907 | 98.7% | |
1890 | 10,390 | 31.4% | |
1900 | 11,377 | 9.5% | |
1910 | 10,203 | −10.3% | |
1920 | 10,154 | −0.5% | |
1930 | 8,876 | −12.6% | |
1940 | 9,464 | 6.6% | |
1950 | 8,609 | −9.0% | |
1960 | 6,041 | −29.8% | |
1970 | 7,000 | 15.9% | |
1980 | 11,334 | 61.9% | |
1990 | 12,001 | 5.9% | |
2000 | 16,140 | 34.5% | |
2010 | 16,653 | 3.2% | |
2020 | 16,826 | 1.0% | |
2023 (est.) | 17,514 | [7] | 4.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790–1960 [9] 1900–1990 [10] 1990–2000 [11] 2010 [12] |
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 15,414 | 91.61% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 20 | 0.12% |
Native American | 127 | 0.75% |
Asian | 56 | 0.33% |
Other/Mixed | 830 | 4.93% |
Hispanic or Latino | 379 | 2.25% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,826 people, 6,782 households, and 4,438 families residing in the county.
As of the 2000 census, [15] there were 16,140 people, 6,776 households, and 4,871 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (10 people/km2). There were 8,235 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.52% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,776 households, out of which 26.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 28.50% from 45 to 64, and 20.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males. The median income for a household in the county was $26,737, and the median income for a family was $32,181. Males had a median income of $22,877 versus $17,729 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,588. About 11.50% of families and 15.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.50% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.
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 Marion County Quorum Court has nine 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]
Over the past few election cycles Marion County has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat to carry this county was Bill Clinton in 1996.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 6,230 | 79.35% | 1,501 | 19.12% | 120 | 1.53% |
2020 | 5,783 | 77.08% | 1,531 | 20.41% | 189 | 2.52% |
2016 | 5,336 | 75.08% | 1,434 | 20.18% | 337 | 4.74% |
2012 | 4,774 | 67.71% | 2,037 | 28.89% | 240 | 3.40% |
2008 | 4,524 | 63.17% | 2,384 | 33.29% | 254 | 3.55% |
2004 | 4,127 | 60.10% | 2,602 | 37.89% | 138 | 2.01% |
2000 | 3,402 | 56.56% | 2,233 | 37.12% | 380 | 6.32% |
1996 | 2,312 | 37.75% | 2,735 | 44.65% | 1,078 | 17.60% |
1992 | 2,023 | 32.39% | 2,757 | 44.15% | 1,465 | 23.46% |
1988 | 2,993 | 57.80% | 2,033 | 39.26% | 152 | 2.94% |
1984 | 3,545 | 64.17% | 1,945 | 35.21% | 34 | 0.62% |
1980 | 3,059 | 57.11% | 2,046 | 38.20% | 251 | 4.69% |
1976 | 2,045 | 40.70% | 2,979 | 59.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
1972 | 2,331 | 66.66% | 1,108 | 31.68% | 58 | 1.66% |
1968 | 1,385 | 42.59% | 990 | 30.44% | 877 | 26.97% |
1964 | 1,088 | 39.43% | 1,661 | 60.20% | 10 | 0.36% |
1960 | 1,016 | 50.60% | 968 | 48.21% | 24 | 1.20% |
1956 | 857 | 44.59% | 1,061 | 55.20% | 4 | 0.21% |
1952 | 844 | 43.06% | 1,099 | 56.07% | 17 | 0.87% |
1948 | 381 | 24.41% | 1,133 | 72.58% | 47 | 3.01% |
1944 | 414 | 32.65% | 842 | 66.40% | 12 | 0.95% |
1940 | 320 | 26.64% | 864 | 71.94% | 17 | 1.42% |
1936 | 435 | 30.21% | 989 | 68.68% | 16 | 1.11% |
1932 | 235 | 14.70% | 1,282 | 80.18% | 82 | 5.13% |
1928 | 436 | 37.17% | 731 | 62.32% | 6 | 0.51% |
1924 | 282 | 21.56% | 825 | 63.07% | 201 | 15.37% |
1920 | 371 | 28.60% | 744 | 57.36% | 182 | 14.03% |
1916 | 274 | 25.97% | 781 | 74.03% | 0 | 0.00% |
1912 | 160 | 16.02% | 537 | 53.75% | 302 | 30.23% |
1908 | 370 | 31.92% | 705 | 60.83% | 84 | 7.25% |
1904 | 356 | 37.39% | 580 | 60.92% | 16 | 1.68% |
1900 | 375 | 29.16% | 905 | 70.37% | 6 | 0.47% |
1896 | 336 | 21.32% | 1,212 | 76.90% | 28 | 1.78% |
Property tax is assessed by the Marion County Assessor annually based upon the fair market value of the property and determining which tax rate, commonly called a millage in Arkansas, will apply. The rate depends upon the property's location with respect to city limits, school district, and special tax increment financing (TIF) districts. This tax is collected by the Marion County Collector between the first business day of March of each year through October 15 without penalty. The Marion County Treasurer disburses tax revenues to various government agencies, such as cities, county road departments, fire departments, libraries, and police departments in accordance with the budget set by the quorum court.
Sales and use taxes in Arkansas are voter approved and collected by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Arkansas's statewide sales and use tax has been 6.5% since July 1, 2013. [19] Marion County has an additional sales and use tax of 1.75%, which has been in effect since April 1, 2017. Within Marion County, the five municipalities each also have additional sales and use tax: Bull Shoals and Yellville levy an additional 2%, Flippin and Summit 1%, and Pyatt 0.5%. [20] The Arkansas State Treasurer disburses state tax revenue to counties/cities in accordance with tax rules.
Note: Unlike most Arkansas counties, Marion County only has one single township (named "Marion County"). That township encompasses the entire county.
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 Marion County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [21] [22]
Yell County is a county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,263. The county has two county seats, Dardanelle and Danville. Yell County is Arkansas's 42nd county, formed on December 5, 1840, from portions of Scott and Pope counties. It was named after Archibald Yell, who was the state's first member of the United States House of Representatives and the second governor of Arkansas. He died in combat at the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican–American War.
Woodruff County is located in the Arkansas Delta in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The county is named for William E. Woodruff, founder of the state's first newspaper, the Arkansas Gazette. Created as Arkansas's 54th county in 1862, Woodruff County is home to one incorporated town and four incorporated cities, including Augusta, the county seat. The county is also the site of numerous unincorporated communities and ghost towns. Occupying only 587 square miles (152,000 ha), Woodruff County is the 13th smallest county in Arkansas. As of the 2020 Census, the county's population was 6,269. Based on population, the county is the second-smallest county of the 75 in Arkansas. Located in the Arkansas Delta, the county is largely flat with fertile soils. Historically covered in forest, bayous and swamps, the area was cleared for agriculture by early settlers. It is drained by the Cache River and the White River. Along the Cache River, the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) runs north–south across the county, preserving bottomland forest, sloughs and wildlife habitat.
Washington County is a regional economic, educational, and cultural hub in the Northwest Arkansas region. Created as Arkansas's 17th county on November 30, 1848, Washington County has 13 incorporated municipalities, including Fayetteville, the county seat, and Springdale. The county is also the site of small towns, bedroom communities, and unincorporated places. The county is named for George Washington, the first President of the United States. Located within the Ozark Mountains, the county is roughly divided into two halves: the rolling Springfield Plateau in the more populous north of the county and the steeper, forested Boston Mountains in the much less populated south. It contains three segments of the Ozark National Forest, two state parks, two Wildlife Management Areas, the Garrett Hollow Natural Area, and dozens of city parks. Other historical features such as Civil War battlefields, log cabins, one-room school houses, community centers, and museums describe the history and culture of Washington County. Washington County occupies 951.72 square miles and contained a population of 245,871 people in 89,249 households as of the 2020 Census, ranking it 4th in size and 3rd in population among the state's 75 counties. The economy is largely based on the business/management, education, sales, office/administration, and poultry production industries. Poverty rates, median household income, and unemployment rates best state averages, but lag national trends. Washington County has long had a reputation for education in the state. The University of Arkansas, the largest four-year college in the state, was established in Fayetteville in 1871. A Washington County campus of the Northwest Arkansas Community College was opened in 2019 in Springdale. Today, Washington County contains eight public school districts, including two of the largest districts in the state and two private schools. It is included in the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Van Buren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,796. The county seat is Clinton. The county was formed on November 11, 1833, and named for Martin Van Buren, President of the United States, who was Vice President at the time of the county's formation. Van Buren County was a dry county until November 3, 2020, as the county residents voted to make it a wet county.
Stone County is located in the Ozark Mountains in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The county is named for the rugged, rocky area terrain of the Ozarks. Created as Arkansas's 74th county on April 21, 1873, Stone County has two incorporated cities: Mountain View, the county seat and most populous city, and Fifty-Six. The county is also the site of numerous unincorporated communities and ghost towns.
Randolph County is located between the Ozark Mountains and Arkansas Delta in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The county is named for John Randolph, a U.S. senator from Virginia influential in obtaining congressional approval of the Louisiana Purchase, which includes today's Randolph County. Created as Arkansas's 32nd county on October 29, 1835, Randolph County has two incorporated cities, including Pocahontas, the county seat and most populous city. The county is also the site of numerous unincorporated communities and ghost towns. Crossed by five rivers, most of Randolph County contains foothills and valleys typical of the Ozarks. However, the eastern side of the county is largely flat with fertile soils typical of the Delta, with the Black River roughly dividing the regions. The county contains three protected areas: two Wildlife Management Areas and Davidsonville Historic State Park, which preserves and interprets an early pioneer settlement. Other historical features such as log cabins, one-room school houses, community centers, and museums describe the history and culture of Randolph County.
Newton County is a county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,225. The county seat is Jasper. Newton County is Arkansas's 46th county, formed on December 14, 1842, and named for Thomas W. Newton, an Arkansas Congressman.
Monroe County is located in the Arkansas Delta in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The county is named for James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States. Created as Arkansas's 20th county on November 2, 1829, Monroe County is home to two incorporated towns and three incorporated cities, including Clarendon, the county seat, and Brinkley, the most populous city. The county is also the site of numerous unincorporated communities and ghost towns.
Miller County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,600. The county seat is Texarkana.
Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,216. The county seat is Walnut Ridge. Lawrence County is Arkansas's second county, formed on January 15, 1815, and named for Captain James Lawrence who fought in the War of 1812. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.
Hot Spring County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 33,040. The county seat is Malvern. Established on November 2, 1829, in the Arkansas Territory from a part of Clark County; it was named after the hot springs at Hot Springs, Arkansas, which were formerly in the county.
Franklin County is a county in Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,097. The county has two county seats, Charleston and Ozark. The county was formed on December 19, 1837, and named for Benjamin Franklin, American statesman. Franklin County is a damp county, with alcohol sales allowed except in Prairie & Alix townships, and limits on liquor sales in the city of Branch.
Boone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas, along the Missouri border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,373. The county seat is Harrison. It is Arkansas's 62nd county, formed on April 9, 1869.
Baxter County is a county in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Created as Arkansas's 66th county on March 24, 1873, the county has eight incorporated municipalities, including Mountain Home, its largest city and county seat. The county is named for Elisha Baxter, the tenth governor of Arkansas. It is coterminal with the Mountain Home Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Arkansas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,149. Located in the Arkansas Delta, the county has two county seats, DeWitt and Stuttgart.
Cotter is a city in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 886 at the 2020 census.
Mountain Home is a city in and the county seat of Baxter County, Arkansas, United States, in the southern Ozark Mountains near the northern state border with Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 12,448. A total of 41,307 persons lived within the city and micropolitan area combined, which encompasses the majority of Baxter County.
Flippin is a city in Marion County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,345 at the 2020 census.
Summit is a city in Marion County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 544 at the 2020 census, down from 604 in 2010.
Yellville is a city in and county seat of Marion County, Arkansas, United States. Yellville is located in the Ozark Mountains along the banks of Crooked Creek, and neighbors the small town of Summit to the north. The population was 1,178 at the 2020 census. The town's original name is preserved in the Shawnee Town Branch, a local creek. The town holds an annual Turkey Trot Festival.