Prairie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population is 9,539. The county has two county seats, Des Arc and De Valls Bluff. Prairie County was formed on October 25, 1846, and named for the Grand Prairie of eastern Arkansas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 676 mi² (1,750 km²). Of this area, 646 mi² (1,673 km²) (95.6% ) is land and 30 mi² (77 km²) (4.41%) is water.

Major Highways

• Interstate 40
• U.S. Highway 70
• U.S. Highway 79
• Highway 11
• Highway 13
• Highway 33
• Highway 38
• Highway 86

Adjacent counties

• White County (north)
• Woodruff County (northeast)
• Monroe County (east)
• Arkansas County (south)
• Lonoke County (west)

National protected area

• Cache River National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,539 people, 3,894 households, and 2,795 families residing in the county. The population density was 6/km² (15/mi²). There were 4,790 housing units at an average density of 3/km² (7/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.83% White, 13.71% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,894 households out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,990, and the median income for a family was $36,131. Males had a median income of $28,413 versus $18,808 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,907. About 12.20% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.

Native American settlement

The county was at first land given to Cherokee Indian settlers from Tennessee and was formerly the Western band of Cherokee Reservation from 1812 to 1836. Today, an estimated 2,000 residents have some degree of American Indian ancestry.

The town of Fredonia was named for the failed movement for a Republic of Fredonia by Arkansas Cherokee and American Texan settlers in Mexican Texas in 1826. Another town, De Valls Bluff had the tribal seat office but now one of the county seats.

Notable Facts

On September 5, 1913, Lee Simms became the first person in Arkansas to be executed by use of the electric chair. He was executed for the offense of rape.

Stern's Medlar, a previously unknown plant species, was discovered in Prairie County in 1990, and is not known to grow anywhere else. It is critically endangered, with only 25 known specimens, all growing within a single small wood, now protected as the Konecny Grove Natural Area.

Cities and towns

De Valls Bluff Des Arc

Fredonia Hazen

Tollville Ulm

References

1. Based on 2000 census data