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Johnson County, Arkansas

Coordinates: 35°33′N 93°28′W / 35.550°N 93.467°W / 35.550; -93.467
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Johnson, Arkansas.

Johnson County, Arkansas
County
Courthouse in Clarksville
Courthouse in Clarksville
Map of Arkansas highlighting Johnson County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Coordinates: 35°33′00″N 93°28′00″W / 35.55°N 93.466666666667°W / 35.55; -93.466666666667
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedNovember 16, 1833
SeatClarksville
Largest cityClarksville
Area
 • Total
683 sq mi (1,770 km2)
 • Land660 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Water23 sq mi (60 km2)  3.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
25,749
 • Estimate 
(2024)
26,172 Increase
 • Density39/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitejohnsoncounty.arkansas.gov

Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,749.[1] The county seat is Clarksville.[2] Johnson County is Arkansas's 30th county, formed on November 16, 1833, from a portion of Pope County and named for Benjamin Johnson,[3] a Territorial Judge. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 683 square miles (1,770 km2), of which 660 square miles (1,700 km2) is land and 23 square miles (60 km2) (3.4%) is water.[4]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18403,433—
18505,22752.3%
18607,61245.6%
18709,15220.2%
188011,56526.4%
189016,75844.9%
190017,4484.1%
191019,69812.9%
192021,0626.9%
193019,289−8.4%
194018,795−2.6%
195016,138−14.1%
196012,421−23.0%
197013,6309.7%
198017,42327.8%
199018,2214.6%
200022,78125.0%
201025,54012.1%
202025,7490.8%
2024 (est.)26,172[5] Increase1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020-2021[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 25,749. The median age was 38.7 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.4 males age 18 and over.[11][12]

The racial makeup of the county was 78.0% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 1.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 7.6% from some other race, and 7.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 13.4% of the population.[12]

30.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 69.6% lived in rural areas.[13]

There were 9,902 households in the county, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.8% were married-couple households, 19.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]

There were 11,475 housing units, of which 13.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.1% were owner-occupied and 29.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.7%.[11]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[14] there were 22,781 people, 8,738 households, and 6,238 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile (13 people/km2). There were 9,926 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.69% White, 1.37% Black or African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.62% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 6.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,738 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,910, and the median income for a family was $33,630. Males had a median income of $25,779 versus $19,924 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,097. About 12.90% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 15.30% of those age 65 or over.

Racial composition

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Johnson County racial composition (2020)[12]
Race / ethnicity Number Percentage
White 20,084 78.0%
Black or African American 489 1.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native 283 1.1%
Asian 927 3.6%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 26 0.1%
Some other race 1,956 7.6%
Two or more races 1,983 7.7%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 3,453 13.4%

Government

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Government

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The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of Arkansas and the Arkansas Code. The quorum court is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are called justices of the peace and are elected from county districts every even-numbered year. The number of districts in a county vary from nine to fifteen, and district boundaries are drawn by the county election commission. The Johnson County Quorum Court has eleven members. Presiding over quorum court meetings is the county judge, who serves as the chief operating officer of the county. The county judge is elected at-large and does not vote in quorum court business, although capable of vetoing quorum court decisions.[15][16]

Johnson County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials[17][18][19]
Position Officeholder Party
County Judge Herman H. Houston Republican
County Clerk Michelle Frost Democratic
Circuit Clerk Monica King Republican
Sheriff Tom Hughes Republican
Treasurer/Collector Melanie "Fred" Cowell Republican
Assessor Rusty Hardgrave (Unknown)
Coroner Pam Cogan Democratic
Surveyor Jim Higby (Unknown)

The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 8 Republicans and 3 Democrats. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[20][21]

  • District 1: Mike Jacobs (D)
  • District 2: Paula Ober (R)
  • District 3: Van Alan Hill (R)
  • District 4: Bethany Bean (R)
  • District 5: Mike Estes (R)
  • District 6: John Payne (D)
  • District 7: Kris Muldoon (R)
  • District 8: Katie Howard (R)
  • District 9: Larry Jones (D)
  • District 10: Jeremy Hatchett (R)
  • District 11: Bryan Cooper (R)

Additionally, the townships of Johnson County are entitled to elect their own respective constables, as set forth by the Constitution of Arkansas. Constables are largely of historical significance as they were used to keep the peace in rural areas when travel was more difficult.[22] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[21][23]

  • Howell: Timothy Harmon (R)
  • King: Todd M. Russell (R)
  • Pittsburg: Ronnie Butler (R)
  • Spadra: Jonathan Howard (R)

Politics

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Over the past few election cycles, Johnson County has trended heavily toward the GOP. The last Democratic presidential candidate to carry this county was Arkansas native Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996.

United States presidential election results for Johnson County, Arkansas[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 491 21.06% 1,831 78.55% 9 0.39%
1900 552 29.30% 1,317 69.90% 15 0.80%
1904 507 31.30% 1,047 64.63% 66 4.07%
1908 544 29.14% 1,164 62.35% 159 8.52%
1912 189 12.57% 927 61.64% 388 25.80%
1916 571 27.85% 1,479 72.15% 0 0.00%
1920 996 36.15% 1,579 57.31% 180 6.53%
1924 311 19.78% 1,029 65.46% 232 14.76%
1928 766 36.93% 1,292 62.30% 16 0.77%
1932 284 14.88% 1,557 81.60% 67 3.51%
1936 318 17.95% 1,432 80.81% 22 1.24%
1940 318 18.11% 1,429 81.38% 9 0.51%
1944 593 31.03% 1,311 68.60% 7 0.37%
1948 523 23.25% 1,565 69.59% 161 7.16%
1952 1,728 45.90% 2,021 53.68% 16 0.42%
1956 1,520 46.84% 1,697 52.30% 28 0.86%
1960 1,490 42.29% 1,938 55.01% 95 2.70%
1964 1,535 32.78% 3,127 66.77% 21 0.45%
1968 1,667 32.64% 1,747 34.21% 1,693 33.15%
1972 4,107 66.76% 2,045 33.24% 0 0.00%
1976 2,173 30.11% 5,044 69.89% 0 0.00%
1980 3,619 47.39% 3,709 48.57% 308 4.03%
1984 4,720 60.30% 3,056 39.04% 51 0.65%
1988 4,046 58.29% 2,818 40.60% 77 1.11%
1992 2,563 33.82% 3,951 52.14% 1,064 14.04%
1996 2,367 34.64% 3,585 52.47% 881 12.89%
2000 3,657 51.07% 3,270 45.66% 234 3.27%
2004 4,311 53.59% 3,622 45.03% 111 1.38%
2008 4,922 60.17% 3,034 37.09% 224 2.74%
2012 5,064 62.53% 2,799 34.56% 235 2.90%
2016 6,091 66.85% 2,427 26.64% 594 6.52%
2020 6,938 73.05% 2,283 24.04% 277 2.92%
2024 6,766 74.69% 2,107 23.26% 186 2.05%

Cities

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Townships in Johnson 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 Johnson County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [25][26]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "QuickFacts, Johnson County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 169.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  9. ^ "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 26, 2015.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  13. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  15. ^ "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  16. ^ "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  17. ^ "Officials – Johnson County, Arkansas". Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  18. ^ "Johnson | Association of Arkansas Counties". www.arcounties.org. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  19. ^ "2022 General Election: County, District Officials" (PDF). www.arcounties.org. Association of Arkansas Counties. June 27, 2022.
  20. ^ "Quorum Court – Johnson County, Arkansas". Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Johnson County, Arkansas, elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  22. ^ "What is a Constable?". What is a Constable?. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  23. ^ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  24. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  25. ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Johnson County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  26. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.

35°33′N 93°28′W / 35.550°N 93.467°W / 35.550; -93.467

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