Lawrence County, Arkansas
Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,415. 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 , of which is land and (0.8%) is water. Demographics. 2020 census. 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/km). There were 8,085 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km). 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. Like almost all of Arkansas and the rural South, the 21st century has  seen Lawrence County make a hard turn to the Republican Party after supporting Democrats throughout its history; the move is likely due to racial and cultural agitation with the party in Appalachian and rural Southern areas. John Kerry was the last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election, in 2004. Further elections has only seen sharper turns to the right, first at the presidential level and increasingly for other contested seats, to the point where this county, and Arkansas as a whole, is very Republican today. Education. Public education is available from four school districts: Lawrence County, Arkansas