Pulaski County is the largest county by population in the U.S. state of Arkansas with a population of 361,474 at the 2000 United States Census. Its county seat is Little Rock, which is also Arkansas's capital and largest city. Pulaski County forms the core of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area which had 675,069 people in the 2008 census estimates.

Pulaski County is Arkansas's fifth county, formed on December 15, 1818, alongside Clark and Hempstead counties. The county is named for Count Casimir Pulaski, a Polish volunteer who saved George Washington's life during the American Revolutionary War.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 808 square miles (2,092 km²), of which, 771 square miles (1,996 km²) of it is land and 37 square miles (96 km²) of it (4.58%) is water.

Major highways

• Interstate 30
  • Interstate 430
  • Interstate 530
  • Interstate 630
• Interstate 40
  • Interstate 440
• U.S. Highway 65
• U.S. Highway 67
• U.S. Highway 70
• U.S. Highway 165
• U.S. Highway 167
• Highway 5
• Highway 10
• Highway 100
• Highway 161
• Highway 300
• Highway 338
• Highway 365
• Highway 367

Adjacent counties

• Faulkner County (north)
• Lonoke County (east)
• Jefferson County (south)
• Saline County (west)
• Perry County (northwest)

National protected area

• Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site

History

Pulaski County is home to Willow Springs Water Park, which is one of the oldest waterparks in the nation, opening in 1928.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 361,474 people, 147,942 households, and 95,718 families residing in the county. The population density was 469 people per square mile (181/km²). There were 161,135 housing units at an average density of 209 per square mile (81/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 63.96% White, 31.87% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. 2.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 147,942 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.90% were married couples living together, 15.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.30% were non-families. 30.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,120, and the median income for a family was $46,523. Males had a median income of $33,131 versus $25,943 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,466. About 10.40% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.90% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

• The Pulaski County Special School District is the county's public school district for surrounding Little Rock and North Little Rock, which maintain independent districts. Also the Little Rock School District and North Little Rock School District.

• Pulaski Technical College is a two-year community college and technical school that offers seven locations throughout the county, including a flagship campus in western North Little Rock.

• Four-year postsecondary institutions include the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of Arkansas System's only metropolitan campus, the United Methodist Church-affiliated Philander Smith College, Arkansas Baptist College, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences — all located in Little Rock.

Localities

Cities

Cammack Village Jacksonville Little Rock

Maumelle North Little Rock

Sherwood Wrightsville

Town

• Alexander

Census-designated places

College Station Gibson Gravel Ridge

Hensley McAlmont Parkers-Iron Springs

Sweet Home Woodson

Other places

• Ironton
• Natural Steps

References

1. Based on 2000 census data

External links

• Pulaski County Government