Clay County, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Clay County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Arkansas
. As of 2010, the population was 16,083. The county has two county seat
s, Corning
and Piggott
. It is a dry county
, in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted or prohibited.
), it was named Clayton County after John M. Clayton
, then a member of the Arkansas Senate
and the brother of then-U.S. Senator
Powell Clayton
, though some sources suggest it may have been named for Powell Clayton instead.
The county's name was shortened to "Clay" two years later by the Arkansas General Assembly
; though some sources say it was renamed for the legendary statesman Henry Clay
, others say John M. Clayton remained its official namesake. In either case, the name change was apparently inspired by lingering distrust of Powell Clayton within the county, due to his declaring martial law
and suspending elections there in 1868 when he was Governor of Arkansas and the area was still part of Greene County.
The first county seat
was Corning, established in 1873, with the arrival of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway
, as the first incorporated town in the county. The county seat was moved to Boydsville in 1877, though, because people living east of the Black and Cache Rivers had difficulty getting to Corning during flood season. This caused trouble for those living west of the rivers, however, and in 1881 Corning was re-established as the seat of the Western District, with Boydsville remaining the seat of the Eastern District. Upon the arrival of the St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas Railroad
in 1882, other towns such as Greenway, Rector and Piggott experienced growth. In 1887, the Eastern District seat was moved to Piggott. The dual county seat system remains in place today. Important county functions (such as the Quorum Court) alternate between Piggott and Corning as their venues.
On April 6, 1972, the sheriff
and two sheriff's deputies were killed in a shootout while attempting to serve a warrant
on Burt Grissom; Sheriff Douglas Batey and Deputies Glen Ray Archer and Troy Key were killed; Sheriff Batey was replaced by William Thomas Pond as Sheriff, but Sheriff Thomas was killed also on June 8, 1973, in an automobile accident. Of the five officers who have died in service of the Clay County Sheriff's Office, four died in these two incidents.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 17,609 people, 7,417 households, and 5,073 families residing in the county. The population density
was 28 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 8,498 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.08% White
, 0.19% Black
or African American
, 0.69% Native American
, 0.08% Asian
, 0.15% from other races
, and 0.81% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 7,417 households out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples
living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.10% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,345, and the median income for a family was $32,558. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $17,146 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $14,512. About 13.40% of families and 17.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 22.70% of those age 65 or over.
is the dominant crop, but significant amounts of cotton
, soybeans, corn
, hay
, and milo
are also grown. Industry is limited to a handful of factories located in the cities of Piggott
, Corning
, and Rector
.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. As of 2010, the population was 16,083. The county has two county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
s, Corning
Corning, Arkansas
Corning is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,679 at the 2000 census. It is one of the two county seats of Clay County, along with Piggott.-Geography:Corning is located at ....
and Piggott
Piggott, Arkansas
Piggott, Arkansas is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, one of that county's two seats . It is also the northern terminus of the Arkansas segment of Crowley's Ridge Parkway. As of the 2000 census, Piggott's population was 3,894. The town was founded by William N...
. It is a dry county
Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
, in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted or prohibited.
History
When Clay County was created as Arkansas's 67th county on March 24, 1873 (alongside Baxter CountyBaxter County, Arkansas
Baxter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. It is in the northern part of the state, and shares a border with Missouri. It is commonly referred to as the Twin Lakes Area because it is bordered by two of Arkansas' largest lakes, Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake...
), it was named Clayton County after John M. Clayton
John M. Clayton (Arkansas)
This article is about the assassinated Arkansas Republican. For the U.S. Secretary of State and Senator from Delaware with the same name, see John M. Clayton....
, then a member of the Arkansas Senate
Arkansas Senate
The Arkansas State Senate is the upper branch of the Arkansas General Assembly. The Senate consists of 35 members, each representing a district with about 76,000 people. Service in the state legislature is part-time, and many state senators have full-time jobs during the rest of the year. The...
and the brother of then-U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Powell Clayton
Powell Clayton
Powell Clayton was an engineer, a Union Army general in the American Civil War, the first Reconstruction Governor of the State of Arkansas, and Ambassador to Mexico during the administrations of William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.-Early life:Clayton was born in Bethel, Pennsylvania, to John...
, though some sources suggest it may have been named for Powell Clayton instead.
The county's name was shortened to "Clay" two years later by the Arkansas General Assembly
Arkansas General Assembly
The Arkansas General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house Arkansas Senate with 35 members, and the lower Arkansas House of Representatives with 100 members. All 135 representatives and state senators...
; though some sources say it was renamed for the legendary statesman Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
, others say John M. Clayton remained its official namesake. In either case, the name change was apparently inspired by lingering distrust of Powell Clayton within the county, due to his declaring martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
and suspending elections there in 1868 when he was Governor of Arkansas and the area was still part of Greene County.
The first county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
was Corning, established in 1873, with the arrival of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway
Missouri Pacific Railroad
The Missouri Pacific Railroad , also known as the MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River. MoPac was a Class I railroad growing from dozens of predecessors and mergers, including the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway , Texas and Pacific...
, as the first incorporated town in the county. The county seat was moved to Boydsville in 1877, though, because people living east of the Black and Cache Rivers had difficulty getting to Corning during flood season. This caused trouble for those living west of the rivers, however, and in 1881 Corning was re-established as the seat of the Western District, with Boydsville remaining the seat of the Eastern District. Upon the arrival of the St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas Railroad
St. Louis Southwestern Railway
The St. Louis Southwestern Railway , known by its nickname of "The Cotton Belt Route" or simply Cotton Belt, was organized on January 15, 1891, although it had its origins in a series of short lines founded in Tyler, Texas, in 1870 that connected northeastern Texas to Arkansas and southeastern...
in 1882, other towns such as Greenway, Rector and Piggott experienced growth. In 1887, the Eastern District seat was moved to Piggott. The dual county seat system remains in place today. Important county functions (such as the Quorum Court) alternate between Piggott and Corning as their venues.
On April 6, 1972, the sheriff
Sheriffs in the United States
In the United States, a sheriff is a county official and is typically the top law enforcement officer of a county. Historically, the sheriff was also commander of the militia in that county. Distinctive to law enforcement in the United States, sheriffs are usually elected. The political election of...
and two sheriff's deputies were killed in a shootout while attempting to serve a warrant
Warrant (law)
Most often, the term warrant refers to a specific type of authorization; a writ issued by a competent officer, usually a judge or magistrate, which permits an otherwise illegal act that would violate individual rights and affords the person executing the writ protection from damages if the act is...
on Burt Grissom; Sheriff Douglas Batey and Deputies Glen Ray Archer and Troy Key were killed; Sheriff Batey was replaced by William Thomas Pond as Sheriff, but Sheriff Thomas was killed also on June 8, 1973, in an automobile accident. Of the five officers who have died in service of the Clay County Sheriff's Office, four died in these two incidents.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 641.42 square miles (1,661.3 km²), of which 639.3 square miles (1,655.8 km²) (or 99.67%) is land and 2.12 square miles (5.5 km²) (or 0.33%) is water.Major Highways
U.S. Highway 49
U.S. Highway 62
U.S. Highway 67
Highway 90
Highway 119
Highway 139
Adjacent counties
- Butler County, MissouriButler County, MissouriButler County is a county located in the southeast Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 42,794. The largest city and county seat is Poplar Bluff. The county was officially organized from Wayne County on February...
(north) - Dunklin County, MissouriDunklin County, MissouriDunklin County is a county located in the Bootheel of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 33,155. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 31,454. The largest city and county seat is Kennett...
(east) - Greene County (south)
- Randolph County (west)
- Ripley County, MissouriRipley County, MissouriRipley County is a county located in the Ozarks of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 13,509. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 13,485. The largest city and county seat is Doniphan...
(northwest)
Cities and towns
|
McDougal, Arkansas McDougal is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 195 at the 2000 census.-Geography:McDougal is located at .... Nimmons, Arkansas Nimmons is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 100 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Nimmons is located at .... Peach Orchard, Arkansas Peach Orchard is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 195 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Peach Orchard is located at .... |
Piggott, Arkansas Piggott, Arkansas is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, one of that county's two seats . It is also the northern terminus of the Arkansas segment of Crowley's Ridge Parkway. As of the 2000 census, Piggott's population was 3,894. The town was founded by William N... Pollard, Arkansas Pollard is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 240 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pollard is located at .... Rector, Arkansas Rector is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,017 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rector is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
St. Francis, Arkansas St. Francis is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States, along the St. Francis River. The population was 250 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St... Scatterville, Arkansas Scatterville is an unincorporated community in Clay County, Arkansas, United States, approximately 2 mi northwest of Rector. All that is left of the community today is a cemetery... Success, Arkansas Success is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 180 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Success is located at .... |
Townships
- Bennett-Lemmons (McDougalMcDougal, ArkansasMcDougal is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 195 at the 2000 census.-Geography:McDougal is located at ....
) - Bradshaw-Haywood (GreenwayGreenway, ArkansasGreenway is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 244 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Greenway is located at ....
) - Brown-Carpenter (SuccessSuccess, ArkansasSuccess is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 180 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Success is located at ....
) - Cache-Wilson (KnobelKnobel, ArkansasKnobel is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 358 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Knobel is located at ....
) - Chalk Bluff-Liddell (part of St. FrancisSt. Francis, ArkansasSt. Francis is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States, along the St. Francis River. The population was 250 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St...
) - Clark (Peach OrchardPeach Orchard, ArkansasPeach Orchard is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 195 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Peach Orchard is located at ....
) - Cleveland-North Kilgore (part of CorningCorning, ArkansasCorning is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,679 at the 2000 census. It is one of the two county seats of Clay County, along with Piggott.-Geography:Corning is located at ....
) - East Oak Bluff-Blue Cane (part of RectorRector, ArkansasRector is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,017 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rector is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
) - Gleghorn-South Kilgore (part of CorningCorning, ArkansasCorning is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,679 at the 2000 census. It is one of the two county seats of Clay County, along with Piggott.-Geography:Corning is located at ....
) - Johnson
- Knob
- Nelson (DattoDatto, ArkansasDatto is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 97 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Datto is located at ....
) - North St. Francis (part of PiggottPiggott, ArkansasPiggott, Arkansas is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, one of that county's two seats . It is also the northern terminus of the Arkansas segment of Crowley's Ridge Parkway. As of the 2000 census, Piggott's population was 3,894. The town was founded by William N...
) - Payne-Swain (NimmonsNimmons, ArkansasNimmons is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 100 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Nimmons is located at ....
) - Pollard (PollardPollard, ArkansasPollard is a town in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 240 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pollard is located at ....
) - South St. Francis (part of PiggottPiggott, ArkansasPiggott, Arkansas is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, one of that county's two seats . It is also the northern terminus of the Arkansas segment of Crowley's Ridge Parkway. As of the 2000 census, Piggott's population was 3,894. The town was founded by William N...
) - West Oak Bluff (part of RectorRector, ArkansasRector is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,017 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rector is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
)
Demographics
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 17,609 people, 7,417 households, and 5,073 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 28 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 8,498 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.08% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.69% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.15% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.81% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 7,417 households out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.10% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,345, and the median income for a family was $32,558. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $17,146 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $14,512. About 13.40% of families and 17.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 22.70% of those age 65 or over.
County Officials
- County Judge: Gary Howell
- County Clerk: Pat Poole
- Sheriff & Collector:Gerald Mcclung
- Circuit Clerk: Janet Kilbreath
- County Treasurer: Carolyn Morrisett
- District Judge: David Copelin
- Quorum Court Justices: David Cagle, Greg Ahrendt, Doyne Holifield, Joey Henderson, David Hatcher, Dennis Haynes, Mark Watson, & Burton Eddington.
Economy
Agriculture is the cornerstone of Clay County's economy. Farmers throughout the county grow a wide variety of crops. RiceRice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
is the dominant crop, but significant amounts of cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
, soybeans, corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
, hay
Hay
Hay is grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Hay is also fed to pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs...
, and milo
Commercial sorghum
Commercial sorghum refers to the cultivation and commercial exploitation of species of grasses within the genus Sorghum . These plants are used for grain, fibre and fodder. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide...
are also grown. Industry is limited to a handful of factories located in the cities of Piggott
Piggott, Arkansas
Piggott, Arkansas is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, one of that county's two seats . It is also the northern terminus of the Arkansas segment of Crowley's Ridge Parkway. As of the 2000 census, Piggott's population was 3,894. The town was founded by William N...
, Corning
Corning, Arkansas
Corning is a city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,679 at the 2000 census. It is one of the two county seats of Clay County, along with Piggott.-Geography:Corning is located at ....
, and Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
.