# White County, Arkansas

White County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 76,822. The county seat is Searcy. White County is Arkansas's 31st county, formed on October 23, 1835, from portions of Independence, Jackson, and Pulaski counties and named for Hugh Lawson White, a Whig candidate for President of the United States. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county, though a few private establishments (such as the Searcy Country Club, and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Searcy and Beebe) can serve alcohol. White County comprises the Searcy, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Little Rock-North Little Rock, AR Combined Statistical Area.

## History

The first Americans that are believed to have settled in White County were John and Nancy Magness. They started in Tennessee and came to White County around 1815 and set up a farm in what is now Letona. White County was established by act of the Arkansas territorial legislature on October 23, 1835, by combining parts of Independence, Jackson, and Pulaski counties.
On May 17, 1862, White County was the site of the Little Red Skirmish between Union Major General Samuel J Curtis and a force of about 100 loosely-organized Confederates, followed by the battle at Whitney Lane in June. also known as The Skirmish at Searcy Landing.
In 1876, a religious cult called the Cobbites existed for a short period south of Searcy. Named after the group's leader, Reverend Cobb, bizarre behavior by members of the cult led to attention from local citizens, but after the murder of a man from Searcy, a mob attacked the group. Several Cobbites were killed and others arrested. Little is known about Reverend Cobb, not even his full name, other than that he came from Tennessee to White County in 1876. To his followers, he claimed to be God or Jesus Christ. He apparently believed he could perform the works of God, and he used a sycamore pole to command the sun to rise each morning and did the same each evening to command it to set.
During the 1960s, the U.S. Department of Defense constructed several Titan II missile silos in the county in the early 1960s. An accident at one site in 1965 killed fifty-three workers when a welder hit a hydraulic line with their welding rod, causing a fire that removed the oxygen and suffocated most of the workers in the facility.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,042 square miles (2,700 km$^2$), of which 1,035 square miles (2,680 km$^2$) is land and 7.1 square miles (18 km$^2$) (0.7%) is water. It is the second-largest county by area in Arkansas.

### Major highways

* Interstate 57
* U.S. Highway 64
* U.S. Highway 67
* U.S. Highway 167
* Highway 5
* Highway 11
* Highway 13
* Highway 16
* Highway 31
* Highway 36
* Highway 87
* Highway 110
* Highway 124
* Highway 157
* Highway 258
* Highway 267
* Highway 305
* Highway 310
* Highway 320
* Highway 321
* Highway 323
* Highway 367
* Highway 385

### Adjacent counties

* Independence County (north)
* Jackson County (northeast)
* Woodruff County (east)
* Prairie County (southeast)
* Lonoke County (southwest)
* Faulkner County (west)
* Cleburne County (northwest)

### National and state protected areas

* Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge
* Henry Gray / Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area

## Demographics
### 2020 census

White County racial composition :
| Race | Number | Percentage |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 64,363 | 83.78% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 3,677 | 4.79% |
| Native American | 319 | 0.42% |
| Asian | 616 | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander | 25 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 4,323 | 5.63% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3,499 | 4.55% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 76,822 people, 28,621 households, and 18,028 families residing in the county.

### 2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 67,165 people, 25,148 households, and 18,408 families residing in the county. The population density was 65 inhabitants per square mile (25/km$^2$). There were 27,613 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (10/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 93.52% White, 3.56% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 1.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 25,148 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 12.80% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,203, and the median income for a family was $38,782. Males had a median income of $29,884 versus $20,323 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,890. About 10.40% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

In 1988, White County elected virtually an entire slate of Republicans to county offices. Though such Republican sweeps had frequently occurred in northern and northwestern Arkansas, White County was the first in the Little Rock area to turn to Republicans as the party steadily made inroads toward a two-party system. A portion of White County is represented in the Arkansas State Senate by the Republican Ronald R. Caldwell, a real estate businessman from Wynne in Cross County. The 45th and current White County Judge is Michael Lincoln of Searcy, who assumed office in January 2007. Over the past few election cycles White County has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat (as of 2024) to carry this county was Bill Clinton in 1996.
United States presidential election results for White County, Arkansas :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 24,514 | 79.50% | 5,641 | 18.29% | 682 | 2.21% |
| 2020 | 24,182 | 78.30% | 5,978 | 19.36% | 725 | 2.35% |
| 2016 | 21,077 | 75.28% | 5,170 | 18.46% | 1,752 | 6.26% |
| 2012 | 20,011 | 75.47% | 5,765 | 21.74% | 738 | 2.78% |
| 2008 | 19,467 | 72.22% | 6,732 | 24.97% | 756 | 2.80% |
| 2004 | 17,001 | 64.34% | 9,129 | 34.55% | 295 | 1.12% |
| 2000 | 13,170 | 59.46% | 8,342 | 37.66% | 638 | 2.88% |
| 1996 | 8,659 | 41.25% | 10,204 | 48.61% | 2,128 | 10.14% |
| 1992 | 8,538 | 39.60% | 10,494 | 48.67% | 2,531 | 11.74% |
| 1988 | 11,094 | 60.84% | 6,957 | 38.15% | 183 | 1.00% |
| 1984 | 12,566 | 64.66% | 6,603 | 33.97% | 266 | 1.37% |
| 1980 | 8,079 | 46.66% | 8,750 | 50.54% | 484 | 2.80% |
| 1976 | 4,756 | 29.42% | 11,412 | 70.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1972 | 8,701 | 67.24% | 4,161 | 32.15% | 79 | 0.61% |
| 1968 | 3,887 | 32.02% | 3,198 | 26.34% | 5,054 | 41.63% |
| 1964 | 5,023 | 42.99% | 6,566 | 56.20% | 95 | 0.81% |
| 1960 | 3,985 | 40.52% | 5,244 | 53.33% | 605 | 6.15% |
| 1956 | 3,813 | 43.58% | 4,895 | 55.94% | 42 | 0.48% |
| 1952 | 2,884 | 40.79% | 4,179 | 59.11% | 7 | 0.10% |
| 1948 | 833 | 18.01% | 3,193 | 69.04% | 599 | 12.95% |
| 1944 | 1,346 | 34.71% | 2,532 | 65.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 876 | 20.64% | 3,345 | 78.80% | 24 | 0.57% |
| 1936 | 535 | 17.57% | 2,503 | 82.20% | 7 | 0.23% |
| 1932 | 430 | 11.61% | 3,251 | 87.75% | 24 | 0.65% |
| 1928 | 1,957 | 45.73% | 2,299 | 53.73% | 23 | 0.54% |
| 1924 | 679 | 27.69% | 1,488 | 60.69% | 285 | 11.62% |
| 1920 | 1,359 | 37.82% | 2,086 | 58.06% | 148 | 4.12% |
| 1916 | 673 | 19.25% | 2,823 | 80.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1912 | 380 | 15.10% | 1,448 | 57.53% | 689 | 27.37% |
| 1908 | 887 | 29.20% | 1,788 | 58.85% | 363 | 11.95% |
| 1904 | 676 | 31.40% | 1,238 | 57.50% | 239 | 11.10% |
| 1900 | 811 | 30.26% | 1,694 | 63.21% | 175 | 6.53% |
| 1896 | 559 | 16.16% | 2,876 | 83.12% | 25 | 0.72% |

## Economy

One of the state's largest banks, First Security Bank, was established in Searcy in 1932 as Security Bank. First Security now has over $8 billion in assets and 78 locations in Arkansas.
The first Wal-Mart distribution center away from the corporate headquarters in Bentonville was established in Searcy.

## Education
### Public education

Public education is provided by several public school districts including:
| Searcy School District, with six schools serving more than 4,000 students; includes Searcy High School, Searcy Beebe School District, with seven schools serving more than 3,200 students; includes Beebe High School, Beebe, and Beebe Middle School, McRae Riverview School District, with four schools serving more than 1,300 students; includes Riverview High School, Searcy, with elementary campuses in Judsonia and Kensett Bald Knob School District, with three schools serving more than 1,300 students; includes Bald Knob High School, Bald Knob | Rose Bud School District, with two schools serving more than 800 students; including Rose Bud High School, Rose Bud White County Central School District, with two schools serving more than 700 students; includes White County Central High School, Judsonia Pangburn School District, with two schools serving more than 700 students; includes Pangburn High School, Pangburn Bradford School District, with two schools serving more than 500 students; includes Bradford High School, Bradford |

### Private education

| CrossPointe Preparatory, Searcy, Independent Christian School Harding Academy, Searcy, Churches of Christ Liberty Christian School, Searcy, Christian | Lighthouse Christian Academy, Beebe, Pentecostal Sunshine School, Searcy Trinity Christian School, Bradford, Baptist |

### Colleges and universities

* Arkansas State University-Beebe Public, established in 1927 as The Junior Agricultural School of Central Arkansas.
* Arkansas State University-Searcy A technical branch of Arkansas State University
* Harding University Private, Churches of Christ enrollment over 6000.

## Communities
### Cities

* Bald Knob
* Beebe
* Bradford
* Judsonia
* Kensett
* McRae
* Pangburn
* Searcy (county seat)

### Towns

* Garner
* Georgetown
* Griffithville
* Higginson
* Letona
* Rose Bud
* Russell
* West Point

### Unincorporated communities

* Albion — north-central White County, between Four Mile Hill or "Boothill" and Pangburn, and north of Letona, along Arkansas Highway 16 and surrounding county roads
* Antioch — western White County, north of Beebe, along Arkansas Highways 31 and 267 and surrounding county roads
* Andrews
* Bare Stone
* Barrentine Corner
* Bee Rock
* Belcher
* Center Hill — central White County, approximately 8 miles west of Searcy, situated along Arkansas Highway 36 and 305 and surrounding county roads
* Clay
* Conant
* Crosby
* Dewey
* Dogwood
* Doniphan
* El Paso — southwestern White County, situated along Arkansas Highway 5 and U.S. Highway 64 West
* Enright
* Essex
* Floyd — western White County, approximately 8 miles southeast of Romance, along Arkansas Highways 31 and 305 and surrounding county roads
* Four Mile Hill or "Boot Hill" — central White County, northwest of Searcy and southeast of Albion, along Arkansas Highway 16 and surrounding county roads
* Georgia Ridge – home community of Arkansas State Representative Charlotte Douglas of District 75 in Crawford County
* Gravel Hill — western White County, northwest of Floyd and south of Joy, situated between Arkansas Highways 31 and 36 along Gravel Hill Road and surrounding county roads
* Hammondsville – western White County, between Romance and El Paso, primarily situated along Hammons Chapel Road (connecting Highway 5 and El Paso Road)
* Happy — 2.9 miles (4.7 km) north of Griffithville and 7.5 miles (12.1 km) southeast of Searcy along Arkansas Highway 385
* Harmony — central White County, southwest of Center Hill, situated along Arkansas Highway 305 and surrounding county roads
* Hart
* Hickory Flat
* Holly Springs
* Joy — central White County, between Rose Bud and Center Hill, situated along Arkansas Highway 36 and surrounding county roads
* Keeler Corner
* Liberty Valley — eastern White County, between Bald Knob and the White River, along U.S. Highway 64 East and surrounding county roads
* Little Red
* Midway (near Bald Knob) — 2.5 miles (4.0 km) southwest of Bald Knob on Arkansas Highway 367
* Midway (near Pleasant Plains) — 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of Pleasant Plains on U.S. Route 167
* Mitchell Corner
* Morning Sun — annexed to Higginson in 2008
* Nimmo
* Opal — southwestern White County, between El Paso and Beebe, along U.S. Highway 64 West and Opal Road and surrounding county roads
* Pickens — north-central White County, between Sidon and Letona, along Arkansas Highway 310 (Pickens Chapel Road) and Pickens Road and surrounding county roads
* Plainview — northeastern White County, north of Judsonia, along Arkansas Highways 157 and 385 and surrounding county roads
* Pryor
* Providence — northeastern White County, north of Judsonia and northwest of Bald Knob, along Arkansas Highways 157 and 258 and surrounding county roads; site of White County Central Schools
* Rio Vista
* Romance — western White County, between Rose Bud and El Paso, along Arkansas Highways 5 and 31 and surrounding county roads
* Showalter's Corner
* Sidon — north-central White County, west of Pickens and north of Joy, along Arkansas Highway 310 and surrounding county roads
* Smyrna
* Steprock
* Sunnydale
* Twentythree — northeastern White County, 5 mile north of Bald Knob, along U.S. Highway 167 and surrounding county roads
* Velvet Ridge — northeastern White County, 8 mile north of Bald Knob, along U.S. Highway 167 and surrounding county roads
* Vinity Corner — south-central White County, south of Garner and southeast of McRae, along West Vinity Road, North Vinity Road, and other county roads southeast of Arkansas Highway 367
* Walker — southeastern White County, south of Higginson and west of Griffithville, along Arkansas Highway 11 (Walker Road) and surrounding county roads
* Worden
* Wright's Corner

### Historic towns

* Beeler Ferry
* Bethel Grove
* Denmark
* Jasmine
* Mount Pisgah
* Old Stoney Point
* Roosevelt
* Russell
* Union Hill

### 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 White County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township.
* Albion
* Antioch
* Bald Knob (Bald Knob)
* Big Creek (Pangburn)
* Cadron
* Cane
* Chrisp
* Clay
* Cleveland
* Coffey
* Coldwell
* Crosby
* Cypert
* Denmark
* Des Arc
* Dogwood (Griffithville)
* El Paso
* Francure (Georgetown)
* Garner (Garner)
* Gravel Hill
* Gray (most of Searcy, part of Kensett)
* Gum Springs (part of Searcy)
* Guthrie
* Harrison (most of Judsonia, part of Searcy)
* Hartsell Township
* Higginson Township (Higginson, part of Searcy)
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Joy
* Kensett (most of Kensett, small part of Searcy)
* Kentucky (Rose Bud)
* Liberty (Bradford)
* McRae (McRae)
* Marion (Letona)
* Marshall
* Mount Pisgah
* Red River (West Point, part of Judsonia)
* Royal
* Russell (Russell)
* Union (Beebe)
* Velvet Ridge
* Walker
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