Van Buren County, Arkansas

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Not to be confused with Van Buren, Arkansas.

Template:Infobox U.S. county

Van Buren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,796.[1] The county seat is Clinton.[2] The county was formed on November 11, 1833, and named for Martin Van Buren, President of the United States, who was Vice President at the time of the county's formation. Van Buren County was a dry county until November 3, 2020, as the county residents voted to make it a wet county. Van Buren County, not be confused with the city of Van Buren, which is located approximately 100 miles to the west in Crawford County just north of Fort Smith.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 724 square miles (1,880 km2), of which 708 square miles (1,830 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (2.2%) is water.[3]

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Template:US Census population

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 15,796. The median age was 50.2 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.5 males age 18 and over.[4][5]

The racial makeup of the county was 91.7% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 5.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.2% of the population.[5]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[6]

There were 7,012 households in the county, of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.2% were married-couple households, 19.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[4]

There were 9,668 housing units, of which 27.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.8% were owner-occupied and 20.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.6%.[4]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[7] there were 16,192 people, 6,825 households, and 4,804 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (8.9 people/km2). There were 9,164 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.79% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.75% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 1.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race, but the percentage could increased 3 or 4 times by seasonal migrant laborers in the county's shiitake mushroom harvest and hospitality jobs provided by the Fairfield Bay resort hotel. [citation needed]

There were 6,825 households, out of which 25.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.50% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 23.00% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 23.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,004, and the median income for a family was $32,284. Males had a median income of $25,821 versus $18,862 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,603. About 11.60% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.90% of those under age 18 and 10.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government

File:Quorum Court Chambers of Van Buren County, Arkansas.jpg
The Van Buren County Quorum Court meets at the courthouse annex, 1414 Hwy. 65 South in Clinton
See also: County government in Arkansas, County judge, and Quorum Court

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 Van Buren County Quorum Court has nine members.[8] 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.[9][10]

Van Buren County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials[11][12][13]
Position Officeholder Party
County Judge Dale James Republican
County Clerk Pam Bradford Republican
Circuit Clerk Debbie Gray Republican
Sheriff Eric Koonce Republican
Treasurer Mistie Wilson Republican
Collector Laura Shannon Republican
Assessor Emma R. Smiley Republican
Coroner Joe Tsosie Republican

The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 7 Republicans and 2 Independents. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[14][15]

  • District 1: David Holcomb (R)
  • District 2: Nickie Brown (Independent)
  • District 3: Sarah Brown (R)
  • District 4: Mary Philips (R)
  • District 5: Michael Bradford (R)
  • District 6: Bailee Fowler Roberson (R)
  • District 7: Becky Page (R)
  • District 8: Virgil Lemings (R)
  • District 9: Ester Bass (I)

Additionally, the townships of Van Buren 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.[16] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[17][18]

  • Archey Valley: Steven R. Bannick (R)
  • Bradley: William Fosse (R)
  • Culpepper: Scott Bramlett (R)
  • East Griggs: William Fosko (R)
  • Holly Mountain: Rance Dean (R)
  • Red River: Devon Laubenthal (I)
  • Union: Allen Dale Roberson (R)
  • Washington: Thomas Bryan Turcol (Libertarian)

Politics

Over the past few election cycles Van Buren County, like all of the traditionally secessionist and Democratic Upland South, has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat to carry this county was Bill Clinton in 1996.

United States presidential election results for Van Buren County, Arkansas[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 374 30.02% 846 67.90% 26 2.09%
1900 445 40.90% 599 55.06% 44 4.04%
1904 542 46.17% 578 49.23% 54 4.60%
1908 667 42.38% 797 50.64% 110 6.99%
1912 254 19.94% 674 52.90% 346 27.16%
1916 743 36.87% 1,272 63.13% 0 0.00%
1920 1,388 72.98% 440 23.13% 74 3.89%
1924 435 30.12% 922 63.85% 87 6.02%
1928 994 39.18% 1,539 60.66% 4 0.16%
1932 413 21.85% 1,456 77.04% 21 1.11%
1936 541 27.48% 1,422 72.22% 6 0.30%
1940 402 27.35% 1,068 72.65% 0 0.00%
1944 655 37.49% 1,090 62.39% 2 0.11%
1948 617 29.81% 1,324 63.96% 129 6.23%
1952 1,530 49.32% 1,559 50.26% 13 0.42%
1956 1,296 49.05% 1,331 50.38% 15 0.57%
1960 1,009 44.51% 1,158 51.08% 100 4.41%
1964 1,270 37.89% 2,054 61.28% 28 0.84%
1968 1,325 35.83% 1,149 31.07% 1,224 33.10%
1972 2,622 61.91% 1,594 37.64% 19 0.45%
1976 1,624 28.86% 4,004 71.14% 0 0.00%
1980 3,090 49.11% 2,968 47.17% 234 3.72%
1984 4,060 60.97% 2,529 37.98% 70 1.05%
1988 3,562 57.37% 2,607 41.99% 40 0.64%
1992 2,612 35.48% 3,819 51.88% 930 12.63%
1996 2,345 34.48% 3,521 51.77% 935 13.75%
2000 3,485 49.90% 3,202 45.85% 297 4.25%
2004 3,988 54.08% 3,310 44.89% 76 1.03%
2008 4,276 63.79% 2,151 32.09% 276 4.12%
2012 4,365 67.88% 1,832 28.49% 233 3.62%
2016 5,382 73.33% 1,549 21.11% 408 5.56%
2020 6,034 77.29% 1,593 20.40% 180 2.31%
2024 6,023 79.03% 1,437 18.86% 161 2.11%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

File:Van Buren County Arkansas 2010 Township Map large.jpg
Townships in Van Buren County, Arkansas, as of 2010

Template:Arkansas Townships About [20][21]

Township FIPS code ANSI code
(GNIS ID) 		Population
center(s) 		Pop.
(2010) 		Pop.
density
(/mi2) 		Pop.
density
(/km2) 		Total area
(mi2) 		Total area
(km2) 		Land area
(mi2) 		Land area
(km2) 		Water area
(mi2) 		Water area
(km2) 		Geographic coordinates
Archey Valley Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 144 6.40 2.47 22.532 58.36 22.492 58.25 0.040 0.1036 35°42′32″N 92°44′51″W / 35.708846°N 92.747601°W / 35.708846; -92.747601
Barnett Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 Damascus 786 32.49 12.54 24.204 62.69 24.192 62.66 0.012 0.03108 35°23′06″N 92°24′08″W / 35.384917°N 92.402125°W / 35.384917; -92.402125
Bradley Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 1,237 32.83 12.68 37.744 97.76 37.674 97.58 0.070 0.1813 35°26′58″N 92°24′31″W / 35.449518°N 92.408575°W / 35.449518; -92.408575
Cadron Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 160 8.92 3.44 17.952 46.50 17.942 46.47 0.010 0.02590 35°25′32″N 92°17′29″W / 35.425448°N 92.291417°W / 35.425448; -92.291417
Cargile Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 395 26.72 10.32 14.783 38.29 14.783 38.29 0 0.000 35°23′12″N 92°17′46″W / 35.386683°N 92.296239°W / 35.386683; -92.296239
Choctaw Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 Clinton (small part) 1,226 58.20 22.47 23.244 60.20 21.066 54.56 2.178 5.641 35°31′01″N 92°24′43″W / 35.516962°N 92.411879°W / 35.516962; -92.411879
Craig Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 739 15.19 5.87 48.926 126.7 48.655 126.0 0.271 0.7019 35°31′57″N 92°35′45″W / 35.532364°N 92.595865°W / 35.532364; -92.595865
Culpepper Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 362 17.65 6.82 20.653 53.49 20.506 53.11 0.147 0.3807 35°32′02″N 92°30′05″W / 35.533776°N 92.501491°W / 35.533776; -92.501491
Davis Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 892 24.70 9.54 36.497 94.53 36.113 93.53 0.384 0.9946 35°30′18″N 92°19′17″W / 35.505081°N 92.321515°W / 35.505081; -92.321515
East Griggs Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 Clinton 1,544 66.04 25.50 25.579 66.25 23.381 60.56 2.198 5.693 35°35′21″N 92°24′52″W / 35.589205°N 92.414398°W / 35.589205; -92.414398
Formosa Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 675 33.13 12.79 20.576 53.29 20.377 52.78 0.199 0.5154 35°29′00″N 92°30′48″W / 35.483299°N 92.513431°W / 35.483299; -92.513431
Holly Mountain (fka Holley[22]) Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 523 18.21 9.91 28.764 74.50 28.721 74.39 0.043 0.1114 35°40′34″N 92°23′34″W / 35.676084°N 92.392866°W / 35.676084; -92.392866
Indian Rock Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 Fairfield Bay 2,227 160.85 62.10 13.914 36.04 13.845 35.86 0.069 0.1787 35°36′20″N 92°16′18″W / 35.605484°N 92.271560°W / 35.605484; -92.271560
Liberty Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 240 2.47 0.95 97.551 252.7 97.076 251.4 0.475 1.230 35°31′10″N 92°44′04″W / 35.519567°N 92.734438°W / 35.519567; -92.734438
Linn Creek Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 655 19.35 7.47 33.982 88.01 33.847 87.66 0.135 0.3496 35°43′40″N 92°26′42″W / 35.727767°N 92.445080°W / 35.727767; -92.445080
Mountain Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 390 8.30 3.20 47.047 121.9 46.979 121.7 0.068 0.1761 35°38′39″N 92°36′37″W / 35.644145°N 92.610209°W / 35.644145; -92.610209
Red River Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 447 40.90 15.80 19.664 50.93 10.928 28.30 8.736 22.63 35°34′04″N 92°19′23″W / 35.567744°N 92.323027°W / 35.567744; -92.323027
Union Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 Shirley 1,497 33.68 13.01 45.153 116.9 44.448 115.1 0.705 1.826 35°39′32″N 92°18′28″W / 35.658887°N 92.307660°W / 35.658887; -92.307660
Washington Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 Dennard 850 13.82 5.34 61.634 159.6 61.484 159.2 0.150 0.3885 35°43′51″N 92°33′33″W / 35.730788°N 92.559088°W / 35.730788; -92.559088
West Griggs Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 Clinton 1,970 67.78 26.17 29.271 75.81 29.069 75.29 0.202 0.5232 35°36′03″N 92°30′09″W / 35.600847°N 92.502416°W / 35.600847; -92.502416
Wheeler Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 336 6.16 2.38 54.614 141.4 54.566 141.3 0.048 0.1243 35°37′28″N 92°43′15″W / 35.624497°N 92.720771°W / 35.624497; -92.720771
Source: U.S. Census Bureau[23][24]

Education

School districts include:[25]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Van Buren County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  6. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Van Buren County". Association of Arkansas Counties. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  9. ↑ Teske, Steven (March 24, 2014). "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  10. ↑ Goss, Kay C. (August 28, 2015). "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Van Buren | Association of Arkansas Counties". www.arcounties.org. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  13. ↑ "2022 General ElectionGeneral Election County, District OfficialsCounty, District Official" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 18, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Van Buren County, Arkansas, elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  16. ↑ "What is a Constable?". What is a Constable?. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Van Buren County, Arkansas, elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  20. ↑ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Van Buren County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  22. ↑ "1860 U.S. Census for Van Buren County, Arkansas". Ancestry.com. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  23. ↑ "County Subdivisions: Arkansas". Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (TXT) on May 31, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ↑ Geography Division (December 17, 2020). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Van Buren County, AR (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2025. - Text list

Template:Geographic location

Template:Van Buren County, Arkansas Template:Arkansas

Coordinates: 35°36′01″N 92°29′28″W / 35.60028°N 92.49111°W / 35.60028; -92.49111

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