Saline County, Arkansas
Saline County (/səˈliːn/ sə-LEEN) is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 123,416.[1] Its county seat and largest city is Benton.[2] Saline County was formed on November 2, 1835, and named for the salt water (brine) springs in the area, despite a differing pronunciation from saline. Until November 2014, it was an alcohol prohibition or dry county.
Saline County is included in the Central Arkansas region.
Geography
[edit | edit source]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 730 square miles (1,900 km2), of which 724 square miles (1,880 km2) is land and 6.9 square miles (18 km2) (0.9%) is water.[3]
Major highways
[edit | edit source]- File:I-30 (AR).svg Interstate 30
- File:Business Loop 30.svg Interstate 30 Business Loop
- File:I-530 (AR).svg Interstate 530
- File:US 65.svg U.S. Highway 65
- File:US 67.svg U.S. Highway 67
- File:US 70.svg U.S. Highway 70
- File:US 167.svg U.S. Highway 167
- File:Arkansas 5.svg Highway 5
- File:Arkansas 9.svg Highway 9
- File:Arkansas 35.svg Highway 35
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Adjacent counties
[edit | edit source]- Perry County (northwest)
- Pulaski County (northeast)
- Grant County (southeast)
- Hot Spring County (southwest)
- Garland County (west)
National protected area
[edit | edit source]- Ouachita National Forest (part)
Demographics
[edit | edit source]2020 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 123,416. The median age was 40.0 years. 24.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.6 males age 18 and over.[4][5]
The racial makeup of the county was 79.7% White, 8.4% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.5% from some other race, and 6.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.9% of the population.[5]
63.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 36.8% lived in rural areas.[6]
There were 48,232 households in the county, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 54.4% were married-couple households, 15.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[4]
There were 51,879 housing units, of which 7.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.2% were owner-occupied and 23.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.0%.[4]
2000 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2000 United States census,[7] there were 83,529 people, 31,778 households, and 24,500 families residing in the county. The population density was 116 inhabitants per square mile (45/km2). There were 33,825 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile (18/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.27% White, 2.20% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 1.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 31,778 households, out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.80% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.90% were non-families. 19.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,569, and the median income for a family was $48,717. Males had a median income of $32,052 versus $23,294 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,214. About 5.00% of families and 7.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.80% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
Media
[edit | edit source]The area is served online and in print by The Saline Courier.[8]
Government and politics
[edit | edit source]Government
[edit | edit source]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 Saline County Quorum Court has thirteen 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.[9][10]
| Position | Officeholder | Party |
|---|---|---|
| County Judge | Matthew Brumley | Republican |
| County Clerk | Doug Curtis | Republican |
| Circuit Clerk | Myka Bono Sample | Republican |
| Sheriff | Rodney Wright | Republican |
| Treasurer | Holly Payne | Republican |
| Collector | Jennifer Carter | Republican |
| Assessor | Pam Wright | Republican |
| Coroner | Kevin Cleghorn | Republican |
| Surveyor | Aaron Rasburry | Republican |
The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 13 Republicans. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[12]
- District 1: Pat Bisbee (R)
- District 2: Wilson Hatcher (R)
- District 3: Carlton Billingsley (R)
- District 4: Keith Kellum (R)
- District 5: Justin Rue (R)
- District 6: Rick Bellinger (R)
- District 7: Josh Curtis (R)
- District 8: Edward A. Albares (R)
- District 9: CJ Engel (R)
- District 10: Jim Whitley (R)
- District 11: Clint Chism (R)
- District 12: Stephanie Johnson (R)
- District 13: Karen Crowson (R)
Additionally, the townships of Saline 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.[13] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[14]
- District 1: Clint Newcomb (R)
- District 2: Bobby Hahn (R)
Politics
[edit | edit source]Over the past few election cycles Saline County has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat (as of the 2024 election) to carry this county was Bill Clinton in 1996.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 326 | 20.84% | 1,161 | 74.23% | 77 | 4.92% |
| 1896 | 268 | 15.89% | 1,417 | 84.00% | 2 | 0.12% |
| 1900 | 342 | 29.01% | 811 | 68.79% | 26 | 2.21% |
| 1904 | 391 | 38.04% | 588 | 57.20% | 49 | 4.77% |
| 1908 | 369 | 27.48% | 899 | 66.94% | 75 | 5.58% |
| 1912 | 164 | 13.86% | 814 | 68.81% | 205 | 17.33% |
| 1916 | 231 | 12.85% | 1,567 | 87.15% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1920 | 403 | 24.13% | 1,206 | 72.22% | 61 | 3.65% |
| 1924 | 144 | 13.65% | 770 | 72.99% | 141 | 13.36% |
| 1928 | 520 | 29.12% | 1,261 | 70.60% | 5 | 0.28% |
| 1932 | 107 | 5.03% | 1,990 | 93.47% | 32 | 1.50% |
| 1936 | 359 | 18.86% | 1,520 | 79.87% | 24 | 1.26% |
| 1940 | 274 | 12.17% | 1,963 | 87.21% | 14 | 0.62% |
| 1944 | 643 | 19.99% | 2,556 | 79.45% | 18 | 0.56% |
| 1948 | 390 | 13.60% | 2,070 | 72.18% | 408 | 14.23% |
| 1952 | 1,766 | 30.12% | 4,045 | 68.99% | 52 | 0.89% |
| 1956 | 2,603 | 40.81% | 3,705 | 58.09% | 70 | 1.10% |
| 1960 | 2,195 | 32.32% | 3,898 | 57.40% | 698 | 10.28% |
| 1964 | 3,628 | 38.96% | 5,605 | 60.18% | 80 | 0.86% |
| "text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/American Independent |1968 | 2,614 | 23.15% | 3,111 | 27.55% | 5,569 | 49.31% |
| 1972 | 7,972 | 63.64% | 4,503 | 35.95% | 52 | 0.42% |
| 1976 | 4,123 | 25.55% | 12,008 | 74.41% | 7 | 0.04% |
| 1980 | 8,330 | 42.60% | 10,368 | 53.02% | 857 | 4.38% |
| 1984 | 11,709 | 60.68% | 6,977 | 36.16% | 611 | 3.17% |
| 1988 | 12,353 | 58.89% | 8,436 | 40.22% | 188 | 0.90% |
| 1992 | 10,105 | 39.38% | 12,671 | 49.38% | 2,885 | 11.24% |
| 1996 | 11,695 | 40.77% | 14,027 | 48.90% | 2,963 | 10.33% |
| 2000 | 18,617 | 57.48% | 12,700 | 39.21% | 1,074 | 3.32% |
| 2004 | 24,864 | 63.15% | 14,153 | 35.94% | 359 | 0.91% |
| 2008 | 30,981 | 69.38% | 12,695 | 28.43% | 977 | 2.19% |
| 2012 | 32,963 | 70.04% | 12,869 | 27.34% | 1,230 | 2.61% |
| 2016 | 35,863 | 68.83% | 13,256 | 25.44% | 2,981 | 5.72% |
| 2020 | 39,556 | 69.45% | 16,060 | 28.20% | 1,343 | 2.36% |
| 2024 | 39,736 | 68.98% | 16,609 | 28.83% | 1,264 | 2.19% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
Communities
[edit | edit source]Cities
[edit | edit source]Town
[edit | edit source]Census-designated places
[edit | edit source]Unincorporated communities
[edit | edit source]Townships
[edit | edit source]
Template:Arkansas Townships About [16][17]
- Banner (contains most of East End)
- Bauxite (contains Bauxite, most of Benton)
- Beaver (contains Avilla, part of Bryant)
- Bryant (contains most of Alexander and Bryant, small parts of Benton and Shannon Hills)
- Dyer (contains part of Hot Springs Village)
- Fairplay
- Haskell (contains Haskell)
- Holland
- Hurricane (contains small part of East End)
- Jefferson
- Kentucky
- Liberty
- Marble (contains part of Hot Springs Village)
- Newcomb
- Otter (contains most of Shannon Hills, small parts of Alexander and East End)
- Owen (contains some of Bryant, small part of Alexander)
- Salem (contains Salem, small part of Bryant)
- Shaw
- Smith
- Traskwood (contains Traskwood)
- Union
Source:[18]
Education
[edit | edit source]School districts include:[19]
Former school districts:
- Paron School District - On July 1, 2004, the Paron School District merged into the Bryant School District.[20]
See also
[edit | edit source]- List of lakes in Saline County, Arkansas
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Saline County, Arkansas
- Lanny Fite
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Saline County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ↑ "Contact | The Saline Courier". www.bentoncourier.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
- ↑ "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ↑ "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ↑ Poole, Shelli (January 20, 2025). "Elected Officials - MySaline". Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ↑ Poole, Shelli (January 20, 2025). "Elected Officials - MySaline". Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ↑ "What is a Constable?". What is a Constable?. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ↑ Poole, Shelli (January 20, 2025). "Elected Officials - MySaline". Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ↑ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Saline County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
- ↑ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
- ↑
"Summary Population and Housing Characteristics, CPH-1-5, Arkansas" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. United States Census Bureau. September 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2014. External link in
|work=(help) - ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Saline County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2024. - Text list. 2010 map and text list
- ↑ "ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls." Arkansas Department of Education. Retrieved on May 23, 2018.
External links
[edit | edit source]
Definitions from Wiktionary
Media from Commons
Data from Wikidata
- Government
- General information
- Template:Osmrelation-inline
- Saline County, Arkansas at ARGenWeb (argenweb.net)
- Saline County at Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture
- Saline County in the Civil War at The Historical Marker Database (HMdb.org)
- Saline County Library
Template:Saline County, Arkansas Template:Arkansas
Coordinates: 34°39′04″N 92°40′54″W / 34.65111°N 92.68167°W