Independence County, Arkansas

Independence County, Arkansas
Independence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,938. The county seat is Batesville. Independence County is Arkansas's ninth county, formed on October 20, 1820, from a portion of Lawrence County and named in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.
The Batesville, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Independence County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.0%) is water.
List of highways
U.S. Highway 167
Arkansas Highway 14
Arkansas Highway 25
Arkansas Highway 37
Arkansas Highway 69
Arkansas Highway 69 Business
Arkansas Highway 87
Arkansas Highway 106
Arkansas Highway 122
Arkansas Highway 157
Arkansas Highway 230
Arkansas Highway 233
Arkansas Highway 333
Arkansas Highway 367
Arkansas Highway 394
Adjacent counties
Sharp County (north)
Lawrence County (northeast)
Jackson County (east)
White County (south)
Cleburne County (southwest)
Stone County (west)
Izard County (northwest)
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 37,938 people, 14,322 households, and 9,929 families residing in the county.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 34,233 people, 13,467 households, and 9,669 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 14,841 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 94.91% White, 2.04% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 13,467 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,920, and the median income for a family was $38,444. Males had a median income of $27,284 versus $20,086 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,163. About 9.90% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.10% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Over the past few election cycles Independence County has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat (as of 2020) to carry this county was Bill Clinton in 1996.
Communities
Cities
Batesville (county seat)
Cave City
Cushman
Newark
Southside
Towns
Magness
Moorefield
Oil Trough
Pleasant Plains
Sulphur Rock
Census-designated places
Bethesda
Desha
Floral
Salado
Other unincorporated communities
Antioch (Independence County)
Cedar Grove
Charlotte
Cord
Dota
Gainsboro
Jamestown
Limedale
Locust Grove
McHue
Pfeiffer
Rosie
Sandtown
Thida
Walnut Grove
Townships
Ashley
Barren (contains part of Cave City)
Big Bottom-Wycough-Logan Township (contains Newark)
Black River-Marshell
Cushman-Union (contains Cushman)
Departee
Dota
Fairview (contains Pleasant Plains)
Gainsboro
Greenbrier
Hill
Huff
Jefferson
Liberty
McHue (contains part of Batesville)
Magness (contains Magness)
Moorefield (contains Moorefield, part of Batesville)
Oil Trough (contains Oil Trough)
Relief
Rosie
Ruddell (contains most of Batesville)
Salado
Washington
White River (contains Sulphur Rock)
Source:
See also
List of lakes in Independence County, Arkansas
James Sturch, state representative for Independence County
National Register of Historic Places listings in Independence County, Arkansas
References
1820 establishments in Arkansas Territory
Populated places established in 1820