Phillips County, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Phillips County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Arkansas
. As of 2010, the population was 21,757. The county seat
is Helena-West Helena
. Phillips County is Arkansas's seventh county, formed on May 1, 1820, and named for Sylvanus Phillips, the area's first-known white settler and representative to the first Territorial Legislature of the Arkansas Territory
.
The Helena-West Helena Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Phillips County.
Arkansas Attorney General
Bruce Bennett
was born in Phillips County in 1917 but reared and lived his adult years in El Dorado
, the seat of Union County, Arkansas in southern Arkansas.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 26,445 people, 9,711 households, and 6,768 families residing in the county. The population density
was 38 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 10,859 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 59.04% Black
or African American
, 39.25% White
, 0.43% from other races
, 0.32% Asian
, 0.17% Native American
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, and 0.78% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 9,711 households out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.30% were married couples
living together, 25.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the county the population was spread out with 32.20% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 84.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $22,231, and the median income for a family was $26,570. Males had a median income of $24,675 versus $17,520 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $12,288. About 28.70% of families and 32.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.50% of those under age 18 and 26.20% of those age 65 or over.
The Helena-West Helena statistical area had the largest drop in population, at −20.89%, of any statistical area in the country for the period 2000-2009.
, the Marvell-Elaine School District
, and the Barton-Lexa School District.
Previously the Lake View School District served a portion of the county. On July 1, 2004, the Lake View district merged into the Barton-Lexa district. Previously the Elaine School District
served another portion of the county. On July 1, 2006, the Elaine district merged into the Marvell district.
Marvell Academy
, a private school, is in unincorporated
Phillips County, near Marvell
. Marvell was founded in 1966. It was originally founded as a segregation academy.
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 21,757. The 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....
is Helena-West Helena
Helena-West Helena, Arkansas
Helena-West Helena is the county seat of and the largest city within Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The current city represents a consolidation, effective on January 1, 2006, of the two Arkansas cities of Helena and West Helena. West Helena is located on the western side of Crowley's...
. Phillips County is Arkansas's seventh county, formed on May 1, 1820, and named for Sylvanus Phillips, the area's first-known white settler and representative to the first Territorial Legislature of the Arkansas Territory
Arkansas Territory
The Territory of Arkansas, initially organized as the Territory of Arkansaw, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1819 until June 15, 1836, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Arkansas.-History:The...
.
The Helena-West Helena Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Phillips County.
Arkansas Attorney General
Arkansas Attorney General
The Arkansas Attorney General is an executive position and constitutional officer within the Arkansas government. The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement/legal officer and lawyer for Arkansas. The position is elected every four years, e.g...
Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett (Arkansas politician)
Bruce Bennett was a Democratic politician from El Dorado, Arkansas, who served as his state's attorney general from 1957–1960 and from 1963–1966...
was born in Phillips County in 1917 but reared and lived his adult years in El Dorado
El Dorado, Arkansas
El Dorado , a multi-cultural arts center: South Arkansas Arts Center , an award-winning renovated downtown, and numerous sporting, shopping, and dining opportunities. El Dorado is the population, cultural, and business center of the 7,300 mi² regional area...
, the seat of Union County, Arkansas in southern Arkansas.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 727.29 square miles (1,883.7 km²), of which 692.67 square miles (1,794 km²) (or 95.24%) is land and 34.62 square miles (89.7 km²) (or 4.76%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 49
Highway 1
Highway 39
Highway 85
Adjacent counties
- Lee County (north)
- Tunica CountyTunica County, MississippiAs of the census of 2000, there were 9,227 people, 3,258 households, and 2,192 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile . There were 3,705 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
(northeast) - Coahoma CountyCoahoma County, Mississippi-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 30,622 people, 10,553 households, and 7,482 families residing in the county. The population density was 55 people per square mile . There were 11,490 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
(east) - Bolivar CountyBolivar County, Mississippi-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 40,633 people, 13,776 households, and 9,725 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 people per square mile . There were 14,939 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
(southeast) - Desha CountyDesha County, ArkansasDesha County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,008. The county seat is Arkansas City. Desha County is Arkansas's 40th county, formed on December 12, 1838, and named for Captain Benjamin Desha who fought in the War of...
(south) - Arkansas CountyArkansas County, ArkansasArkansas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 19,019. The county has two county seats, De Witt and Stuttgart...
(southwest) - Monroe CountyMonroe County, ArkansasMonroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population is 8,149. The county seat is Clarendon, while its largest city is Brinkley...
(northwest)
National protected areas
- St. Francis National Forest (part)
- White River National Wildlife RefugeWhite River National Wildlife RefugeThe White River National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge located in Desha, Monroe, Phillips, and Arkansas counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service....
(part)
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 26,445 people, 9,711 households, and 6,768 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 38 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 10,859 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 59.04% 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...
, 39.25% 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...
, 0.43% 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...
, 0.32% 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...
, 0.17% 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...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
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 0.78% from two or more races. 1.44% 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 9,711 households out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.30% 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, 25.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the county the population was spread out with 32.20% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 84.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $22,231, and the median income for a family was $26,570. Males had a median income of $24,675 versus $17,520 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 $12,288. About 28.70% of families and 32.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.50% of those under age 18 and 26.20% of those age 65 or over.
The Helena-West Helena statistical area had the largest drop in population, at −20.89%, of any statistical area in the country for the period 2000-2009.
Cities and towns
|
Lake View, Arkansas Lake View is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 531 at the 2000 census. Because there is also a Lakeview in Baxter County, many residents want to rename Lakeview to "Lake Helena". The original settlement name was "Turkey Scratch" from the 1850s to the official... Lexa, Arkansas Lexa is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 331 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lexa is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Marvell, Arkansas Marvell is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,395. Marvell was featured on ABC News's World News With Charles Gibson October 6, 2009 telecast as a center of infestation by newer pesticide-resistant strains of pigweed,... |
Townships
- Big Creek
- Cleburne
- Cleveland
- Cypress
- Hickory Ridge (MarvellMarvell, ArkansasMarvell is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,395. Marvell was featured on ABC News's World News With Charles Gibson October 6, 2009 telecast as a center of infestation by newer pesticide-resistant strains of pigweed,...
) - Hicksville
- Hornor (part of Helena-West HelenaHelena-West Helena, ArkansasHelena-West Helena is the county seat of and the largest city within Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The current city represents a consolidation, effective on January 1, 2006, of the two Arkansas cities of Helena and West Helena. West Helena is located on the western side of Crowley's...
) - Lake
- Marion
- Mooney
- St. Francis (most of Helena-West HelenaHelena-West Helena, ArkansasHelena-West Helena is the county seat of and the largest city within Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The current city represents a consolidation, effective on January 1, 2006, of the two Arkansas cities of Helena and West Helena. West Helena is located on the western side of Crowley's...
) - Spring creek (LexaLexa, ArkansasLexa is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 331 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lexa is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, small part of Lake ViewLake View, ArkansasLake View is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 531 at the 2000 census. Because there is also a Lakeview in Baxter County, many residents want to rename Lakeview to "Lake Helena". The original settlement name was "Turkey Scratch" from the 1850s to the official...
) - Tappan (ElaineElaine, ArkansasElaine is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 865 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elaine is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, most of Lake ViewLake View, ArkansasLake View is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 531 at the 2000 census. Because there is also a Lakeview in Baxter County, many residents want to rename Lakeview to "Lake Helena". The original settlement name was "Turkey Scratch" from the 1850s to the official...
)
Education
School districts serving Phillips County include the Helena-West Helena School DistrictHelena-West Helena School District
The Helena-West Helena School District is a school district headquartered in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas.As of 2011 the district has over 2,833 students and 283 employees.-Schools:Secondary schools include:* Central High School...
, the Marvell-Elaine School District
Marvell-Elaine School District
The Marvell-Elaine School District #22, previously Marvell School District No. 22, is a school district headquartered in Marvell, Arkansas.It serves Marvell, Elaine, and other areas in Phillips County....
, and the Barton-Lexa School District.
Previously the Lake View School District served a portion of the county. On July 1, 2004, the Lake View district merged into the Barton-Lexa district. Previously the Elaine School District
Elaine School District
The Elaine School District #30 was a school district headquartered in Elaine, Arkansas. Its territory is now within the Marvell-Elaine School District....
served another portion of the county. On July 1, 2006, the Elaine district merged into the Marvell district.
Marvell Academy
Marvell Academy
Marvell Academy is a K-12 a private school in unincorporated Phillips County, near Marvell.Marvell was founded in 1966, and its first graduating class graduated in 1972...
, a private school, is in unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
Phillips County, near Marvell
Marvell, Arkansas
Marvell is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,395. Marvell was featured on ABC News's World News With Charles Gibson October 6, 2009 telecast as a center of infestation by newer pesticide-resistant strains of pigweed,...
. Marvell was founded in 1966. It was originally founded as a segregation academy.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Phillips County, ArkansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Phillips County, ArkansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Phillips County, Arkansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States...