# Lawrence County, Arkansas

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.

## History

Following the Louisiana Purchase, the area currently encompassing Lawrence County was contained within the Louisiana Territory from 1805 to 1812, and the Missouri Territory from 1812 until the creation of Arkansas Territory in 1819. While the southern portion of Missouri Territory began to be settled, Lawrence County was created on January 15, 1815, from New Madrid County and Arkansas County. The large area spanned from Cape Girardeau County to the Arkansas River.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 592 square miles (1,530 km$^2$), of which 588 square miles (1,520 km$^2$) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km$^2$) (0.8%) is water.

### Adjacent counties

* Randolph County (north)
* Greene County (east)
* Craighead County (southeast)
* Jackson County (south)
* Independence County (southwest)
* Sharp County (west)

## Demographics
### 2020 census

Lawrence County racial composition :
| Race | Number | Percentage |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 14,925 | 92.04% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 138 | 0.85% |
| Native American | 41 | 0.25% |
| Asian | 38 | 0.23% |
| Pacific Islander | 10 | 0.06% |
| Other/Mixed | 707 | 4.36% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 357 | 2.2% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,216 people, 6,463 households, and 4,466 families residing in the county.

### 2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 17,774 people, 7,108 households, and 5,011 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km$^2$). There were 8,085 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 97.78% White, 0.44% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,108 households, out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.50% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,139, and the median income for a family was $32,163. Males had a median income of $26,288 versus $18,518 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,785. About 13.90% of families and 18.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

United States presidential election results for Lawrence County, Arkansas :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 4,608 | 80.96% | 965 | 16.95% | 119 | 2.09% |
| 2020 | 4,569 | 78.01% | 1,080 | 18.44% | 208 | 3.55% |
| 2016 | 4,064 | 71.49% | 1,263 | 22.22% | 358 | 6.30% |
| 2012 | 3,536 | 63.83% | 1,788 | 32.27% | 216 | 3.90% |
| 2008 | 3,357 | 57.58% | 2,138 | 36.67% | 335 | 5.75% |
| 2004 | 2,951 | 44.61% | 3,544 | 53.58% | 120 | 1.81% |
| 2000 | 2,626 | 43.48% | 3,255 | 53.89% | 159 | 2.63% |
| 1996 | 1,823 | 29.69% | 3,652 | 59.47% | 666 | 10.85% |
| 1992 | 2,124 | 30.65% | 4,146 | 59.84% | 659 | 9.51% |
| 1988 | 3,205 | 49.91% | 3,179 | 49.51% | 37 | 0.58% |
| 1984 | 4,039 | 60.50% | 2,594 | 38.86% | 43 | 0.64% |
| 1980 | 3,245 | 46.60% | 3,547 | 50.94% | 171 | 2.46% |
| 1976 | 1,708 | 24.82% | 5,167 | 75.08% | 7 | 0.10% |
| 1972 | 3,981 | 69.45% | 1,751 | 30.55% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,788 | 28.77% | 1,613 | 25.96% | 2,813 | 45.27% |
| 1964 | 2,013 | 36.35% | 3,498 | 63.16% | 27 | 0.49% |
| 1960 | 1,800 | 44.28% | 2,074 | 51.02% | 191 | 4.70% |
| 1956 | 1,584 | 40.12% | 2,303 | 58.33% | 61 | 1.55% |
| 1952 | 1,570 | 40.84% | 2,206 | 57.39% | 68 | 1.77% |
| 1948 | 497 | 18.60% | 2,001 | 74.89% | 174 | 6.51% |
| 1944 | 927 | 33.83% | 1,810 | 66.06% | 3 | 0.11% |
| 1940 | 852 | 25.36% | 2,484 | 73.93% | 24 | 0.71% |
| 1936 | 457 | 16.91% | 2,230 | 82.50% | 16 | 0.59% |
| 1932 | 293 | 8.58% | 3,056 | 89.54% | 64 | 1.88% |
| 1928 | 774 | 39.03% | 1,204 | 60.72% | 5 | 0.25% |
| 1924 | 261 | 23.18% | 689 | 61.19% | 176 | 15.63% |
| 1920 | 699 | 28.72% | 1,686 | 69.27% | 49 | 2.01% |
| 1916 | 298 | 14.87% | 1,706 | 85.13% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1912 | 218 | 15.15% | 929 | 64.56% | 292 | 20.29% |
| 1908 | 583 | 31.79% | 1,188 | 64.78% | 63 | 3.44% |
| 1904 | 534 | 42.41% | 672 | 53.38% | 53 | 4.21% |
| 1900 | 476 | 32.96% | 958 | 66.34% | 10 | 0.69% |
| 1896 | 337 | 16.42% | 1,679 | 81.78% | 37 | 1.80% |

### Townships

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 Lawrence County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township.
* Annieville
* Ashland (Minturn)
* Black River (Powhatan)
* Black Rock (most of Black Rock)
* Boas (Hoxie, part of Walnut Ridge)
* Cache
* Campbell (College City, most of Walnut Ridge)
* Dent (Imboden)
* Duty (Portia, small part of Black Rock)
* Eaton
* Flat Creek
* Jesup
* Lawrence
* Marion (Alicia)
* Morgan (Lynn)
* Promised Land (Sedgwick)
* Reeds Creek (Strawberry)
* Richwoods (small part of Walnut Ridge)
* Spring River (small part of Ravenden)
* Strawberry (Smithville)
* Thacker (most of Ravenden)

## Education

Public education is available from four school districts:
* Hillcrest School District
* Hoxie School District
* Lawrence County School District
* Sloan–Hendrix School District

## Communities
### Cities

* Black Rock
* Hoxie
* Walnut Ridge (county seat)

### Towns

* Alicia
* College City (former)
* Imboden
* Jesup
* Lynn
* Minturn
* Portia
* Powhatan
* Ravenden
* Sedgwick
* Smithville
* Strawberry

## Infrastructure
### Major highways

* I-57
* US 62
* US 63
* U.S. Route 63B
* US 67
* U.S. Route 67B
* U.S. Route 67Y
* U.S. Route 412
* Highway 25
* Highway 34
* Highway 90
* Highway 91
* Highway 115
* Highway 117
* Highway 117 Spur
* Highway 228
* Highway 230
* Highway 361