Mississippi County, Arkansas

Last updated

Mississippi County
County
Mississippi County Courthouse - Osceola.jpg
Mississippi County Courthouse, Osceola
Mississippi County AR Flag.png
Flag
Map of Arkansas highlighting Mississippi County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Arkansas in United States.svg
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°46′36″N90°03′16″W / 35.776666666667°N 90.054444444444°W / 35.776666666667; -90.054444444444
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Arkansas.svg  Arkansas
FoundedNovember 1, 1833
Named for Mississippi River
Seat Blytheville and Osceola
Largest cityBlytheville
Government
 • JudgeJohn Nelson
Area
 • Total920 sq mi (2,400 km2)
 • Land901 sq mi (2,330 km2)
 • Water19 sq mi (50 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total40,685
 • Density44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st
Website www.mississippicountyar.org

Mississippi County is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,685. [1] There are two county seats, Blytheville and Osceola. [2] The county is named for the Mississippi River which borders the county to the east. Mississippi County is part of the First Congressional District in Arkansas.

Contents

The Blytheville, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Mississippi County.

History

Pre-European Exploration

Extant early settlements include the Eaker Site and the Sherman Mound.

1812 New Madrid Earthquake

Local oral tradition held that prior to the major earthquakes of 1812, the lands in Mississippi County were higher in elevation compared to now and were not prone to flooding. [3] Though the earthquake was named for New Madid, Missouri, as that was the only town in the area with any population, the actual epicenter of the quake was three miles below what is now Blytheville, Arkansas. [4]

Antebellum Period

American settlers were recorded in the area as early as 1828. These early settlers include John Troy, the first Mississippi County Judge and namesake of Troy township and G.C. Barfield, the first county surveyor and namesake of Barfield Landing. [3]

Mississippi County was created on November 1, 1833, when it was split off from Craighead County. By 1836, when Arkansas achieved statehood, the county's white population had slightly increased and the local Native population was pushed in the eastern part of the county, towards what is now Big Lake. The first county seat was a small community called Cornwall, which was located at on the banks of the Mississippi River, on the remains of an old Spanish "encampment." Osceola was named as the County Seat in 1833, and later incorporated in 1843. [5] [3]

The Federal Swamp Act of 1850 granted federally controlled swamp lands to their respective state governments for sale. According to the 1852 surveyor general's report, Mississippi County had the largest amount of swamp and "Sunken" lands of any county in the country. [5]

Reconstruction Period

Following the American Civil War, Mississippi County was one of 10 counties in Arkansas put under martial law due to increased activity from the Ku Klux Klan. [3] In 1872, a series of racial and political confrontations known as the Black Hawk War took place. The genesis of this was the murder of "Carpetbagger" Charles Fitzpatrick by the county Sherriff J.B. Murray over Fitzpatrick's allegations of Murray's embezzlement of school funds. [6]

20th century

During World War 2, a B-25 pilot training school was constructed at Blytheville, with satellite landing strips at Manilla and in the Missouri Bootheel. The facility was later reopened in 1954 at Blytheville Air Force Base, and hosted a squadron of B-52s from 1959 to 1992. [7]

In 1987, Nucor Steel opened a steel plant at Barfield Landing on the Mississippi River. In 2014, U.S. Steel opened a steel plant at Osceola. Mississippi County is now reportedly the largest steel producing county in America. [8]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 920 square miles (2,400 km2), of which 901 square miles (2,330 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (2.1%) is water. [9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1840 1,410—
1850 2,36867.9%
1860 3,89564.5%
1870 3,633−6.7%
1880 7,332101.8%
1890 11,63558.7%
1900 16,38440.8%
1910 30,46886.0%
1920 47,32055.3%
1930 69,28946.4%
1940 80,21715.8%
1950 82,3752.7%
1960 70,174−14.8%
1970 62,060−11.6%
1980 59,517−4.1%
1990 57,525−3.3%
2000 51,979−9.6%
2010 46,480−10.6%
2020 40,685−12.5%
2023 (est.)38,663 [10] −5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [11]
1790–1960 [12] 1900–1990 [13]
1990–2000 [14] 2010–2020 [15] 2020 [1]
Age pyramid Mississippi County USA Mississippi County, Arkansas age pyramid.svg
Age pyramid Mississippi County

2020 census

Mississippi County Racial Composition [17]
RaceNum.Perc.
White 22,86156.19%
Black or African American 14,25135.03%
Native American 670.16%
Asian 2420.59%
Pacific Islander 30.01%
Other/Mixed 1,4903.66%
Hispanic or Latino 1,7714.35%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 40,685 people, 16,389 households, and 10,635 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 46,480 people living in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 60.5% White, 33.9% Black, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, <0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race and 1.2% from two or more races. 3.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, [18] there were 51,979 people, 19,349 households, and 13,911 families living in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 22,310 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 64.45% White, 32.70% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.07% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 2.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Control Tower for the Arkansas Aeroplex, formerly Blytheville Air Force Base. The Aeroplex contains the longest runway in the state. Arkansas Aeroplex Control Tower-FBO 2023.jpg
Control Tower for the Arkansas Aeroplex, formerly Blytheville Air Force Base. The Aeroplex contains the longest runway in the state.

There were 19,349 households, out of which 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were married couples living together, 17.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.60% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,479, and the median income for a family was $32,648. Males had a median income of $29,645 versus $19,782 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,978. About 19.00% of families and 23.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.10% of those under age 18 and 19.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The Mississippi County Judge is John Alan Nelson. Formerly a traditionally Democratic area, Mississippi County has voted Republican in the past four presidential elections.

United States presidential election results for Mississippi County, Arkansas [19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 7,29659.12%4,55836.93%4883.95%
2016 7,06153.48%5,67042.94%4733.58%
2012 6,60349.37%6,46748.35%3052.28%
2008 6,97649.79%6,66747.59%3672.62%
2004 6,12143.25%7,59353.65%4393.10%
2000 5,19941.31%7,10756.47%2802.22%
1996 3,91929.36%8,30162.19%1,1278.44%
1992 4,69729.43%10,04662.94%1,2197.64%
1988 7,84152.67%6,75945.40%2881.93%
1984 10,18057.30%7,54842.49%380.21%
1980 7,17043.67%8,90854.26%3392.06%
1976 6,00936.80%10,29263.03%270.17%
1972 10,93174.73%3,54424.23%1521.04%
1968 4,36928.17%4,99332.19%6,14739.64%
1964 6,21341.67%8,67858.20%200.13%
1960 4,98347.08%5,13848.54%4644.38%
1956 4,26938.97%6,42858.68%2582.36%
1952 4,58639.65%6,96860.24%130.11%
1948 77112.17%3,76359.40%1,80128.43%
1944 1,29224.68%3,93875.22%50.10%
1940 61610.46%5,25789.24%180.31%
1936 3035.89%4,83593.94%90.17%
1932 3645.87%5,77693.12%631.02%
1928 1,32422.83%4,45176.75%240.41%
1924 70324.86%2,03972.10%863.04%
1920 1,05035.23%1,80960.70%1214.06%
1916 41725.03%1,24974.97%00.00%
1912 26320.23%76759.00%27020.77%
1908 1,16751.57%93041.10%1667.34%
1904 41737.40%68961.79%90.81%
1900 37839.01%59160.99%00.00%
1896 16817.06%81582.74%20.20%

Economy

A steel plant rises behind a soybean field in Mississippi County Mississippi County Arkansas - panoramio.jpg
A steel plant rises behind a soybean field in Mississippi County

The economy of Mississippi County transitioned from agriculture (especially cotton) to manufacturing (mostly steel production) beginning in the 1980s. Over $2.1 billion has been invested in plants and supporting infrastructure in the county, with major facilities being operated by Nucor and Big River Steel (a U.S. Steel company). As of 2021 Mississippi County is the second-largest steel producing county in the United States. The county's position near the center of the United States and along the Mississippi River allows the input for steel mills, scrap metal, to be shipped in on barges, often the most inexpensive method of shipping, and by railroad from Memphis. Company executives have also praised the work ethic of the rural farm families of the area as a natural fit for ironworkers. [20]

Education

Public education

Mississippi County is home to the following public school districts, listed in order of student population:

The following school districts are based outside of the county but serve portions:

Libraries

Mississippi County is served by the Mississippi–Crittenden Regional Library System, which includes the Mississippi County Library System (central library) and 13 branch libraries in communities throughout the county.

Media

Radio

FM

AM

Print

Television

There are no television stations in Mississippi County, Arkansas. Mississippi County, Arkansas is placed in the Memphis, TN Television Market. Those stations include:

However some residents in county may watch stations from the Jackson, TN, Jonesboro, AR, or Little Rock, AR Television Markets.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Townships

Townships in Mississippi County, Arkansas as of 2010 Mississippi County Arkansas 2010 Township Map large.jpg
Townships in Mississippi 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 Mississippi County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [22] [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poinsett County, Arkansas</span> County in Arkansas, United States

Poinsett County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,965. The county seat is Harrisburg. Poinsett County is included in the Jonesboro–Paragould Combined Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillips County, Arkansas</span> County in Arkansas, United States

Phillips County is a county located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Arkansas, in what is known as the Arkansas Delta along the Mississippi River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,568. The county seat is Helena–West Helena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crittenden County, Arkansas</span> County in Arkansas, United States

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craighead County, Arkansas</span> County in Arkansas, United States

Craighead County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 111,231. The county has two county seats — Jonesboro and Lake City. Craighead County is Arkansas's 58th county, formed on February 19, 1859, and named for state Senator Thomas Craighead. It is one of several dry counties within the state of Arkansas, in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is largely prohibited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicot County, Arkansas</span> County in Arkansas, United States

Chicot County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,208. The county seat is Lake Village. Chicot County is Arkansas's 10th county, formed on October 25, 1823, and named after Point Chicot on the Mississippi River. It is part of the Arkansas Delta, lowlands along the river that have been historically important as an area for large-scale cotton cultivation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monette, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Monette is a city in Craighead County, Arkansas, United States. The city is located in an area of Northeast Arkansas known as Buffalo Island. The population was 1,506 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blytheville, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Blytheville is the county seat and the largest city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. It is approximately 60 miles (100 km) north of West Memphis. The population was 13,406 at the 2020 census, down from 15,620 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burdette, Arkansas</span> Town in Arkansas, United States

Burdette is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 140 at the 2020 census, down from 191 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dell, Arkansas</span> Town in Arkansas, United States

Dell is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 194 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dyess, Arkansas</span> Town in Arkansas, United States

Dyess is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The town was founded as Dyess Colony in 1934 as part of the Roosevelt administration's agricultural relief and rehabilitation program. It was the largest agrarian community established by the federal government during the Great Depression. It was the boyhood home of country singer Johnny Cash. As of the 2020 census, the population of Dyess was 339, down from 410 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gosnell, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Gosnell is a city in northern Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,910 at the 2020 census, down from 3,548 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luxora, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Luxora is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 942 at the 2020 census, down from 1,178 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osceola, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Osceola is a city in, and a dual county seat of, Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. Located along the Mississippi River within the Arkansas Delta, the settlement was founded in 1837 and incorporated in 1853. Occupying an important location on the river, the city's economy grew as steamboat traffic increased. Timber and cotton harvesting would develop, and the city experienced rapid growth and development throughout the early 20th century. The city's economy has since diversified to include a robust industrial sector. The population was 6,976 at the 2020 census, down from 7,757 in 2010.

Armorel is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 312. It is in a largely rural area with most of its land devoted to forests and farms. Most of the town lies between Arkansas highways 18 and 312. The town's name was formed from the abbreviations of Arkansas and Missouri, along with the first three initials of its founder, Wilson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gosnell School District</span> School district in Arkansas, United States

Gosnell School District is a public school district based in Gosnell, Arkansas, United States. The Gosnell School District provides early childhood, elementary and secondary education for more than 1,400 prekindergarten through grade 12 students at its two facilities within Mississippi County, Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkansas Highway 18</span> State highway in Arkansas, United States

Highway 18 is an east–west state highway of 93.43 miles (150.36 km) in Northeast Arkansas. It has concurrency with U.S. Route 78 (US 78) much of its length.

Armorel High School is a comprehensive public high school serving students in grades seven through twelve in the distant, rural community of Armorel, Arkansas, United States. It is the one of seven public high schools located in Mississippi County, Arkansas and the only high school administered by Armorel School District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gosnell High School</span> Public comprehensive school in Gosnell, Arkansas, United States

Gosnell High School is an accredited comprehensive public high school located in the city of Gosnell, Arkansas, United States, located northwest of Blytheville. The school provides secondary education for students in grades 7 through 12. It is one of four public high schools in Mississippi County, Arkansas and the sole high school administered by the Gosnell School District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rivercrest High School (Arkansas)</span> Public comprehensive school in Mississippi County , Arkansas, United States

Rivercrest High School is a comprehensive public high school located in unincorporated Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States, with a Wilson postal address. It is the only high school administered by the Rivercrest School District and houses the district's administrative offices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rivercrest School District</span> School district in Arkansas, United States

Rivercrest School District, formerly Southern Mississippi County School District, is a public school district based in Rivercrest High School in unincorporated Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States, with a Wilson postal address. The school district provides early childhood, elementary and secondary education for more than 1,300 prekindergarten through grade 12 students and employs more than 220 staff at its two facilities. The district encompasses 363.77 square miles (942.2 km2) of land in Mississippi County.

References

  1. 1 2 "2020 Census Data". data.census.gov.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Presley, Leister E. (1889). Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas. Chicago, Nashville and St, Louis: Goodspeed Publishing Company. p. 445.
  4. ↑ Hendricks, Nancy. "New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-1812". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Hale, Ruth. "Mississippi County". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  6. ↑ Hale, Ruth. "Black Hawk War of 1872". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ Hartley, Jillian. "Eaker Air Force Base". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  8. ↑ Jared, George (February 14, 2023). "Leaders explain how steel industry is transforming Mississippi County". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  9. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  11. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  13. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  14. ↑ "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 27, 2015.
  15. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  16. ↑ Based on 2000 census data
  17. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  18. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections" . Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  20. ↑ Massey, Kyle (August 30, 2021). "Mississippi County: Magnet for Steel". Arkansas Business . Little Rock: Arkansas Business Publishing Group. pp. 1, 8. ISSN   1053-6582. OCLC   1131951942 . Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Town Crier, Courier News to merge Jan. 1". NEA Town Courier. December 18, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  22. ↑ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Mississippi County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 29, 2014.

35°46′36″N90°03′16″W / 35.77667°N 90.05444°W / 35.77667; -90.05444

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.