Pulaski County, Arkansas

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Template:Infobox U.S. county

Pulaski County is a county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. With a population of 399,125 as of the 2020 United States census, it is the most populous county in Arkansas.[1] The county is included in the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway metropolitan area. Its county seat is Little Rock,[2] which is also Arkansas's capital and largest city.

Pulaski County is Arkansas's fifth county, formed on December 15, 1818, alongside Clark and Hempstead Counties. Pulaski County is named for Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, a Polish-born Continental Army officer who was killed in action at the Siege of Savannah during the Revolutionary War. The county was the site of the Battle of Bayou Fourche on September 10, 1863. The Union army took control the same day and occupied Pulaski County until the end of the Civil War. The county was home to Willow Springs Water Park, one of the oldest water parks in the nation, which opened in 1928 and closed in 2013.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 808 square miles (2,090 km2), of which 760 square miles (2,000 km2) is land and 48 square miles (120 km2) (5.9%) is water.[3]

Major highways

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Transit

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Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Template:US Census population

Racial and ethnic composition

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Pulaski County, Arkansas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[4] Pop 1990[5] Pop 2000[6] Pop 2010[7] Pop 2020[8] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 252,893 250,549 227,390 211,697 193,993 74.25% 71.66% 62.91% 55.31% 48.60%
Black or African American alone (NH) 80,737 91,976 114,732 133,242 142,139 23.70% 26.30% 31.74% 34.81% 35.61%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 1,064 1,128 1,303 1,267 1,169 0.31% 0.32% 0.36% 0.33% 0.29%
Asian alone (NH) 1,731 2,692 4,440 7,425 9,933 0.51% 0.77% 1.23% 1.94% 2.49%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [9] x [10] 115 155 208 x x 0.03% 0.04% 0.05%
Other race alone (NH) 863 116 300 515 1,458 0.25% 0.03% 0.08% 0.13% 0.37%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [11] x [12] 4,378 6,279 17,072 x x 1.21% 1.64% 4.28%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3,325 3,199 8,816 22,168 33,153 0.98% 0.91% 2.44% 5.79% 8.31%
Total 340,613 349,660 361,474 382,748 399,125 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 399,125. The median age was 38.3 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.6 males age 18 and over.[13][14]

The racial makeup of the county was 49.9% White, 36.0% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.7% from some other race, and 6.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 8.3% of the population.[14]

88.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 11.4% lived in rural areas.[15]

There were 170,622 households in the county, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.2% were married-couple households, 21.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 35.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]

There were 190,511 housing units, of which 10.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 56.5% were owner-occupied and 43.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.4%.[13]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census,[16] there were 361,474 people, 147,942 households, and 95,718 families residing in the county. The population density was 469 inhabitants per square mile (181/km2). There were 161,135 housing units at an average density of 209 per square mile (81/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 63.96% White, 31.87% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. 2.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 147,942 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.90% were married couples living together, 15.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.30% were non-families. 30.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,120, and the median income for a family was $46,523. Males had a median income of $33,131 versus $25,943 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,466. About 10.40% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.90% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

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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 Pulaski County Quorum Court has fifteen members. Presiding over quorum court meetings is the county judge, who serves as the chief executive 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.[17][18]

Pulaski County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials[19]
Position Officeholder Party
County Judge Barry Hyde Democratic
Sheriff Eric Higgins Democratic
County Clerk/Circuit Clerk Terri Hollingsworth Democratic
Assessor Janet Troutman Ward Democratic
Treasurer Debra Buckner Democratic

The composition of the Quorum Court after the 2024 elections is 10 Democrats and 5 Republicans. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[19]

  • District 1: Rebekah L. Davis (R)
  • District 2: Natalie Capps (D)
  • District 3: Kathy Lewison (D)
  • District 4: Julie Blackwood (D)
  • District 5: Steven Person (D)
  • District 6: Donna Massey (D)
  • District 7: Dianne Curry (D)
  • District 8: Curtis Keith (D)
  • District 9: Tina Ward (D)
  • District 10: Patricia Young-Baker (D)
  • District 11: Aaron Robinson (R)
  • District 12: Luke McCoy (R)
  • District 13: Phil Stowers (R)
  • District 14: Paul Elliott (R)
  • District 15: Staci Medlock (D)

Additionally, the townships of Pulaski 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.[20]

The township constables of Pulaski County as of the 2024 elections are:[19]

Infrastructure

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The Arkansas Department of Correction Wrightsville Unit is in Wrightsville.[21]

Politics

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Pulaski County is one of the most Democratic counties in Arkansas and the Southern United States. The city of North Little Rock was ranked the most liberal community in the state.[22]

In the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War, Republicans carried the county in every presidential election from 1868 to 1888.[citation needed] Since then, Republicans have only won the county four times: 1956, 1972, 1984, and 1988, all national Republican landslides.[citation needed]

Pulaski County has followed in the footsteps of most urban counties across the country, especially in the era of Barack Obama's presidency and post-presidency that has seen urban areas turn bluer and rural areas, such as most of Arkansas, to become even redder and more conservative. Donald Trump, the two-time winner of the state with over 60% of the vote, only garnered about 38% in this county, among his worst performances in this state. Joe Biden's 59.98% share in 2020 is the highest for a Democrat in the county since 1976, besting even Arkansas native Bill Clinton in both 1992 and 1996.

United States presidential election results for Pulaski County, Arkansas[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1892 2,492 39.07% 3,392 53.18% 494 7.75%
1896 1,754 35.84% 3,021 61.73% 119 2.43%
1900 1,932 41.85% 2,609 56.52% 75 1.62%
1904 2,450 42.44% 3,099 53.68% 224 3.88%
1908 3,533 45.68% 3,893 50.33% 309 3.99%
1912 1,044 16.76% 3,369 54.09% 1,815 29.14%
1916 2,593 30.15% 6,008 69.85% 0 0.00%
1920 3,711 35.80% 6,506 62.76% 150 1.45%
1924 2,729 28.36% 5,706 59.30% 1,187 12.34%
1928 4,880 34.55% 9,215 65.24% 29 0.21%
1932 2,281 13.87% 14,049 85.46% 110 0.67%
1936 1,320 10.29% 11,482 89.49% 28 0.22%
1940 2,955 17.15% 14,219 82.52% 56 0.33%
1944 6,069 26.87% 16,470 72.91% 50 0.22%
1948 5,910 23.99% 13,120 53.25% 5,609 22.76%
1952 23,460 48.59% 24,448 50.63% 378 0.78%
1956 25,702 51.10% 23,372 46.46% 1,227 2.44%
1960 22,146 39.70% 26,034 46.67% 7,608 13.64%
1964 38,312 48.32% 40,535 51.12% 442 0.56%
1968 26,709 33.32% 27,597 34.43% 25,844 32.24%
1972 57,576 62.95% 33,611 36.75% 281 0.31%
1976 37,690 37.14% 63,541 62.62% 244 0.24%
1980 52,125 46.15% 54,839 48.56% 5,973 5.29%
1984 77,651 58.20% 54,237 40.65% 1,530 1.15%
1988 70,562 54.98% 55,857 43.53% 1,914 1.49%
1992 47,789 34.89% 79,482 58.03% 9,686 7.07%
1996 44,780 35.06% 75,084 58.78% 7,869 6.16%
2000 55,866 43.94% 68,320 53.73% 2,965 2.33%
2004 67,903 44.20% 84,532 55.03% 1,185 0.77%
2008 70,212 43.52% 88,854 55.07% 2,277 1.41%
2012 68,984 43.28% 87,248 54.74% 3,149 1.98%
2016 61,257 38.34% 89,574 56.06% 8,945 5.60%
2020 63,687 37.47% 101,947 59.98% 4,322 2.54%
2024 57,977 37.67% 92,038 59.79% 3,909 2.54%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


Education

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Tertiary

School districts include:[24]

State-operated schools

Communities

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Cities

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Town

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Census-designated places

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Other communities

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Townships

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Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas and some may have incorporated towns or cities within part of their space. Townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the US Census does list Arkansas population based on townships (often referred to as "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. Pulaski County only has two townships, as of 2010. They are listed below.[25][26]

Township FIPS code ANSI code
(GNIS ID) 		Population
center(s) 		Pop.
(2010) 		Pop.
density
(/mi2) 		Pop.
density
(/km2) 		Land area
(mi2) 		Land area
(km2) 		Water area
(mi2) 		Water area
(km2) 		Geographic coordinates
Big Rock Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 Alexander, Cammack Village, Little Rock, Wrightsville 219,984 506.7 195.6 404.014 1,046 30.148 78.08 34°44′30″N 92°24′43″W / 34.741774°N 92.412071°W / 34.741774; -92.412071
Hill Template:FIPS Template:GNIS4 Jacksonville, Maumelle, North Little Rock, Sherwood 162,764 435.8 168.3 355.750 921.4 17.753 45.98 34°48′12″N 92°11′32″W / 34.803240°N 92.192098°W / 34.803240; -92.192098
Source: U.S. Census Bureau[27][28]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 2020 Census
  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. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Arkansas - Tables 15 – Persons by Race: 1980 and Table 16 – Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 11-18. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Arkansas: Table 3-6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 9-37. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 1, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Pulaski County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau.
  7. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Pulaski County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau.
  8. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Pulaski County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  10. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  11. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  12. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  15. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  16. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ↑ "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 "Elected Officials List - Pulaski County, AR" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2025.
  20. ↑ "What is a Constable?". What is a Constable?. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  21. ↑ Facilities 5. Arkansas Department of Corrections. Retrieved on March 8, 2011.
  22. ↑ Kiersz, Hunter Walker, Andy. "Here Are The Most Liberal And Most Conservative Towns In Each State". Business Insider. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  24. ↑ Geography Division (December 17, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pulaski County, AR (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list - 2010 map and list
  25. ↑ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Pulaski County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  26. ↑ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  27. ↑ "County Subdivisions: Arkansas". Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (TXT) on May 31, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
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Template:Geographic Location

Template:Pulaski County, Arkansas Template:Arkansas

Coordinates: 34°44′32″N 92°17′09″W / 34.74222°N 92.28583°W / 34.74222; -92.28583

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