Hempstead County, Arkansas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hempstead County, Arkansas | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Arkansas |
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 Arkansas's location in the USA |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | December 15, 1818 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Hope |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,920 km² (741 mi²) 1,888 km² (729 mi²) 33 km² (13 mi²), 1.70% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
23,587 12/km² |
Hempstead County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population was 23,587. The county seat is Hope. Hempstead County is Arkansas's fourth county, formed on December 15, 1818, alongside Clark and Pulaski counties. The county is named for Edward Hempstead, a delegate to the U. S. Congress from the Missouri Territory, which included present-day Arkansas at the time. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.
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[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,920 km² (741 mi²). 1,888 km² (729 mi²) of it is land and 33 km² (13 mi²) of it (1.70%) is water. Hempstead County is alternately considered as part of the greater regions of South Arkansas or Southwest Arkansas.
[edit] Major Highways
- Interstate 30
- U.S. Highway 67
- U.S. Highway 278
- U.S. Highway 371
- Highway 4
- Highway 27
- Highway 29
- Highway 32
- Highway 73
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Pike County (north)
- Nevada County (east)
- Lafayette County (south)
- Miller County (southwest)
- Little River County (west)
- Howard County (northwest)
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 23,587 people, 8,959 households, and 6,378 families residing in the county. The population density was 12/km² (32/mi²). There were 10,166 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (14/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 63.28% White, 30.36% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. 8.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,959 households out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples living together, 15.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,622, and the median income for a family was $34,082. Males had a median income of $25,830 versus $17,383 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,103. About 16.00% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.20% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.
