Ashley County, Arkansas

Infobox U.S. County
county = Ashley County
state = Arkansas


founded year = 1848
founded date =
seat wl = Hamburg
largest city wl = Crossett
area_total_sq_mi = 939
area_total_km2 = 2432
area_land_sq_mi = 921
area_land_km2 = 2386
area_water_sq_mi = 18
area_water_km2 = 46
area percentage = 1.91%
census yr = 2000
pop = 24209
density_sq_mi =26
density_km2 = 10
time zone = Central
UTC offset = -6
DST offset = -5
footnotes =
web =
named for = Chester Ashley, who represented Arkansas in the U.S. Senate.

Ashley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas, and was formed in 1848 from parts of Chicot, Drew and Union Counties. As of the 2000 census, the population was 24,209. The county seat is Hamburg. It is named for Chester Ashley. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 939 square miles (2,432 km²), of which, 921 square miles (2,386 km²) of it is land and 18 square miles (46 km²) of it (1.91%) is water.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

*Drew County (north)
*Chicot County (east)
*Morehouse Parish, Louisiana (south)
*Union Parish, Louisiana (southwest)
*Union County (west)
*Bradley County (northwest)

National protected areas

* Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge (part)
* Ouachita National Forest (part)
* Overflow National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 24,209 people, 9,384 households, and 6,906 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 10,615 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 69.78% White, 27.10% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.73% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 3.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,384 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 23.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,758, and the median income for a family was $37,370. Males had a median income of $35,089 versus $19,501 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,702. About 13.90% of families and 17.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.70% of those under age 18 and 17.20% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

External links

* [http://www.ashleynewsobserver.com/ Ashley News Observer]