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Desha County, Arkansas
Desha County Courthouse 001
Desha County courthouse in Arkansas City
Map of Arkansas highlighting Desha County
Location in the state of Arkansas
Map of the U.S
Arkansas's location in the U.S.
Founded December 12, 1838
Named for Benjamin Desha
Seat Arkansas City
Largest city Dumas
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

820 sq mi (2,124 km²)
768 sq mi (1,989 km²)
51 sq mi (132 km²), 6.3%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

11,395
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website http://deshacounty.arkansas.gov

Desha County ( /dəˈʃ/ duh-SHAY) is a county located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of Arkansas, with its eastern border the Mississippi River. At the 2020 census, the population was 11,395. It ranks 56th of Arkansas's 75 counties in terms of population.[1] The county seat is Arkansas City.[2] Located in the Arkansas Delta, Desha County's rivers and fertile soils became prosperous for planters under the cotton-based economy of plantation agriculture in the antebellum years and late 19th century. Still largely rural, it has suffered population losses and economic decline since the mid-20th century.

But following widespread farm mechanization, Desha County underwent a demographic and economic transformation. Farm workers left the area because of the lack of work, and there was a decline in population. Farm holdings have been consolidated into industrial style farms and the economy cannot support much activity. In the 21st century, the county is seeking to reverse population and economic losses through better education for its workforce, and developing tourism based on its cultural, historical and outdoor recreation amenities.[3]

History[]

Desha County was created by the Arkansas Legislature on December 12, 1838, consisting of the lands of Arkansas County separated from the county seat by the Arkansas River and the White River, and land from Chicot County. The county was named for Captain Benjamin Desha, who fought in the War of 1812.[3][4]

Located in the Arkansas Delta, Desha County's rivers and fertile soils prosperous for planters under the cotton-based slave society of plantation agriculture in the antebellum years. After the Civil War, cotton continued as the primary commodity crop into the early 20th century, and planters did well. Labor was provided by sharecroppers and tenant farmers.

But following widespread farm mechanization, laborers were thrown off the land, and Desha County had a demographic and economic transformation. Thousands of African-American farm workers left the area and went north or west in the Great Migration, and there was a decline in population. Farm holdings have been consolidated into industrial-scale farms, with few governmental benefits for small farmers, and the economy cannot support much activity. In the 21st century, the county is seeking to reverse population and economic losses through better education for its workforce, and developing tourism based on its cultural, historical and outdoor recreation amenities.[3]

During World War II, the federal government established the Rohwer War Relocation Center, an internment camp for Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans it forced out of the coastal area of California, the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and Alaska. The camp operated from late 1942 into 1945 and the end of the war, holding up to nearly 8500 ethnic Japanese, many American-born citizens. The Rohwer War Relocation Center Cemetery has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 820 square miles (2,100 km2), of which 768 square miles (1,990 km2) is land and 51 square miles (130 km2) (6.3%) is water.[5] Desha County is within the Arkansas Delta and is considered a member of the Southeast Arkansas region.

Major highways[]

  • I-69 (Future) Future Interstate 69
  • US 65 U.S. Highway 65
  • US 165 U.S. Highway 165
  • US 278 U.S. Highway 278
  • Arkansas 1 Highway 1
  • Arkansas 4 Highway 4
  • Arkansas 138 Highway 138

Adjacent counties[]

National protected area[]

  • White River National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1840 1,598
1850 2,911 82.2%
1860 6,459 121.9%
1870 6,125 −5.2%
1880 8,973 46.5%
1890 10,324 15.1%
1900 11,511 11.5%
1910 15,274 32.7%
1920 20,297 32.9%
1930 21,814 7.5%
1940 27,160 24.5%
1950 25,155 −7.4%
1960 20,770 −17.4%
1970 18,761 −9.7%
1980 19,760 5.3%
1990 16,798 −15.0%
2000 15,341 −8.7%
2010 13,008 −15.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]
USA Desha County, Arkansas age pyramid

Age pyramid Desha County[10]

2020 census[]

Desha County Racial Composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White 4,732 41.53%
Black or African American 5,385 47.26%
Native American 36 0.32%
Asian 61 0.54%
Other/Mixed 408 3.58%
Hispanic or Latino 773 6.78%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 11,395 people, 5,204 households, and 3,545 families residing in the county.

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 census,[12] there were 15,341 people, 5,922 households, and 4,192 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (8/km2). There were 6,663 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 50.50% White, 46.33% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.73% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 3.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,922 households, out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.50% were married couples living together, 19.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.70% 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 3.10.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.90% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,121, and the median income for a family was $30,028. Males had a median income of $29,623 versus $18,913 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,446. About 23.60% of families and 28.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.60% of those under age 18 and 24.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government[]

Desha County is traditionally Democratic, and has remained so in recent years even as Arkansas as a whole has shifted to the Republican Party, voting for the Democratic nominee in every presidential election since 1972. In 2020, Joe Biden became the first Democrat since Walter Mondale to fall under 50% in the county, winning a plurality.

United States presidential election results for Desha County, Arkansas[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 1,921 46.13% 2,016 48.41% 227 5.45%
2016 1,919 45.08% 2,228 52.34% 110 2.58%
2012 1,896 42.90% 2,443 55.27% 81 1.83%
2008 1,999 42.73% 2,569 54.92% 110 2.35%
2004 1,729 37.21% 2,851 61.35% 67 1.44%
2000 1,603 35.66% 2,776 61.76% 116 2.58%
1996 978 21.48% 3,230 70.94% 345 7.58%
1992 1,279 22.75% 3,815 67.87% 527 9.38%
1988 2,334 42.94% 2,859 52.60% 242 4.45%
1984 2,696 45.87% 2,918 49.64% 264 4.49%
1980 2,057 34.07% 3,748 62.08% 232 3.84%
1976 1,372 24.50% 4,228 75.50% 0 0.00%
1972 3,385 66.92% 1,665 32.92% 8 0.16%
1968 972 17.00% 2,270 39.71% 2,474 43.28%
1964 1,930 36.86% 3,294 62.91% 12 0.23%
1960 1,063 27.01% 2,502 63.57% 371 9.43%
1956 1,204 28.73% 2,935 70.03% 52 1.24%
1952 1,037 24.74% 3,150 75.14% 5 0.12%
1948 233 7.68% 2,122 69.96% 678 22.35%
1944 186 13.66% 1,175 86.27% 1 0.07%
1940 146 9.57% 1,370 89.78% 10 0.66%
1936 55 3.75% 1,411 96.12% 2 0.14%
1932 81 4.94% 1,549 94.51% 9 0.55%
1928 331 23.39% 1,082 76.47% 2 0.14%
1924 209 21.55% 540 55.67% 221 22.78%
1920 360 27.40% 931 70.85% 23 1.75%
1916 369 27.77% 960 72.23% 0 0.00%
1912 52 9.63% 314 58.15% 174 32.22%
1908 263 33.21% 518 65.40% 11 1.39%
1904 82 28.57% 204 71.08% 1 0.35%
1900 168 33.27% 328 64.95% 9 1.78%
1896 290 40.50% 396 55.31% 30 4.19%
1892 298 40.22% 407 54.93% 36 4.86%



Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Arkansas City (county seat)[14]
  • Dumas
  • McGehee
  • Mitchellville
  • Tillar (partly in Drew County)
  • Watson

Towns[]

  • Reed

Unincorporated areas[]

  • Back Gate
  • Halley
  • Kelso
  • Pea Ridge
  • Pickens
  • Rohwer
  • Snow Lake

Historic community[]

  • Napoleon

Townships[]

Desha County Arkansas 2010 Township Map small

Townships in Desha County, Arkansas as of 2010

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. The townships of Desha County are listed below with the town(s) and/or city that are fully or partially inside them listed in parentheses.


[15][16]

  • Bowie (most of McGehee)
  • Clayton (Reed, Tillar, small part of McGehee)
  • Franklin (Arkansas City)
  • Halley (small part of McGehee)
  • Jefferson
  • Mississippi
  • Randolph (Mitchellville, most of Dumas)
  • Red Fork (Watson)
  • Richland
  • Silver Lake
  • Walnut Lake

Notable people[]

  • John "Kayo" Dottley
  • Jim Hines
  • John H. Johnson
  • Major Jones
  • Doug Terry
  • Barry Williamson

See also[]

  • List of lakes in Desha County, Arkansas
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Desha County, Arkansas

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/05/05041.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ a b c "Desha County". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. 2009. http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=765. Retrieved June 29, 2014. 
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off.. pp. 105. https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ. 
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_05.txt. 
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ar190090.txt. 
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  10. ^ Based on 2000 census data
  11. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US05041&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  13. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/. 
  14. ^ "AR Census Data - Arkansas Economic Development Institute" (in en-US). Arkansas Economic Development Institute. https://ualr.edu/aedi/census-state-data-center/arkansas-census-data/. 
  15. ^ U. S. Census Bureau. 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Desha County, AR (Map). http://www2.census.gov/geo/pvs/bas/bas11/st05_ar/cou/c05041_desha/BAS11C20504100000_000.pdf. 
  16. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/block/2010/cousub/dc10blk_st05_cousub.html#D. 
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Coordinates: 33°45′28″N 91°17′14″W / 33.75778, -91.28722


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Desha County, Arkansas. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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