Searcy County, Arkansas | |
|---|---|
 Searcy County Courthouse | |
 Flag | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofArkansas | |
 Arkansas's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:35°55′32″N92°42′00″W / 35.925555555556°N 92.7°W /35.925555555556; -92.7 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| Founded | December 13, 1838 |
| Named after | Richard Searcy |
| Seat | Marshall |
| Largest city | Marshall |
| Area | |
• Total | 669 sq mi (1,730 km2) |
| • Land | 666 sq mi (1,720 km2) |
| • Water | 2.4 sq mi (6.2 km2) 0.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,828 |
• Estimate (2024) | 7,836 |
| • Density | 11.8/sq mi (4.54/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | https://searcyco.org/ |
Searcy County (/ˈsɜːrsi/SUR-see) is acounty located in theU.S. state ofArkansas. As of the2020 census, the population was 7,828.[1] Thecounty seat isMarshall.[2] The county was formed December 13, 1838, from a portion ofMarion County and named for Richard Searcy, the first clerk and judge in theArkansas Territory. The city ofSearcy, Arkansas, some 70 miles away, shares the name despite having never been part of Searcy County. The county is an alcohol prohibition ordry county.
During theAmerican Civil War, Searcy County, Arkansas had strong, pro-Union leanings, forming an organization known as the "Arkansas Peace Society".[3]
The Chocolate Roll is a dessert endemic to Searcy but little known outside the near region.A typical Chocolate Roll is made frompie dough spread with a mixture ofcocoa powder, shortening, and sugar, then rolled up and baked.[4]In 2012 The Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commercedeclared Searcy County the "Chocolate Roll Capital of the World™", and assertedtrademarks.[5]Since 2012Marshall High School has hosted an annual Chocolate Roll Festival that includes the World Champion Chocolate Roll Contest.[6] The 6th was held on March 18, 2017.[7]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 669 square miles (1,730 km2), of which 666 square miles (1,720 km2) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) (0.4%) is water.[8]
U.S. Highway 65
Arkansas Highway 14
Arkansas Highway 16
Arkansas Highway 27
Arkansas Highway 66
Arkansas Highway 74
Arkansas Highway 235
Arkansas Highway 333
Arkansas Highway 374
Arkansas Highway 377| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 936 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,979 | 111.4% | |
| 1860 | 5,271 | 166.3% | |
| 1870 | 5,614 | 6.5% | |
| 1880 | 7,278 | 29.6% | |
| 1890 | 9,664 | 32.8% | |
| 1900 | 11,988 | 24.0% | |
| 1910 | 14,825 | 23.7% | |
| 1920 | 14,590 | −1.6% | |
| 1930 | 11,056 | −24.2% | |
| 1940 | 11,942 | 8.0% | |
| 1950 | 10,424 | −12.7% | |
| 1960 | 8,124 | −22.1% | |
| 1970 | 7,731 | −4.8% | |
| 1980 | 8,847 | 14.4% | |
| 1990 | 7,841 | −11.4% | |
| 2000 | 8,261 | 5.4% | |
| 2010 | 8,195 | −0.8% | |
| 2020 | 7,828 | −4.5% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 7,836 | [9] | 0.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12] 1990–2000[13] 2010[14] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 7,092 | 90.6% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 5 | 0.06% |
| Native American | 65 | 0.83% |
| Asian | 20 | 0.26% |
| Pacific Islander | 5 | 0.06% |
| Other/Mixed | 501 | 6.4% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 140 | 1.79% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 7,828 people, 3,327 households, and 2,333 families residing in the county.
As of the2000 census,[17] there were 8,261 people, 3,523 households, and 2,466 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 4,292 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.26%White, 0.04%Black orAfrican American, 0.75%Native American, 0.15%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.45% fromother races, and 1.34% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 3,523 households, out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% weremarried couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,397, and the median income for a family was $27,580. Males had a median income of $21,768 versus $16,276 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $12,536. About 17.80% of families and 23.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 31.00% of those under age 18 and 26.60% of those age 65 or over.
The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by theConstitution of Arkansas and theArkansas Code. The quorum court is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are calledjustices of the peace and are elected from county districts every even-numbered year. The number of districts in a county vary from nine to fifteen, and district boundaries are drawn by the county election commission. The Searcy County Quorum Court has nine members. Presiding over quorum court meetings is thecounty judge, who serves as thechief operating officer of the county. The county judge is elected at-large and does not vote in quorum court business, although capable of vetoing quorum court decisions.[18][19]
| Position | Officeholder | Party |
|---|---|---|
| County Judge | Tony Horton | Republican |
| County/Circuit Clerk | Cassy Ward | (Unknown) |
| Sheriff/Collector | Kenny Cassell | Republican |
| Treasurer | Mary Beth Martin | Republican |
| Assessor | Randy Crumley | Republican |
| Coroner | Jerry Patterson | Republican |
The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 9 Republicans. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[20][22][23]
Additionally, the townships of Stone County are entitled to elect their own respective constables, as set forth by theConstitution of Arkansas. Constables are largely of historical significance as they were used to keep the peace in rural areas when travel was more difficult.[24] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[22]
Along with adjacentNewton County, Searcy is unique among Arkansas counties in being traditionallyRepublican in political leanings even during the overwhelmingly Democratic "Solid South" era. This Republicanism resulted from their historical paucity ofslaves, in turn created by infertile soils unsuitable for intensive cotton farming, and produced support forthe Union during the Civil War.[citation needed] These were the only two counties in Arkansas to be won byAlf Landon in 1936,[25]Wendell Willkie in 1940,Charles Evans Hughes in 1916, and evenCalvin Coolidge in 1924. In Presidential elections post-1932,Harry S. Truman andJimmy Carter are the only Democrats to carry the county.[26] In the 1992 electionGeorge H. W. Bush won his second-highest margin in the state, despite former Arkansas governor Bill Clinton being the Democratic nominee. In fact, Republican nominee Bob Dole also carried the county 4 years later despite Clinton's success almost everywhere else in the state. Republicans have received over 60 percent of the vote in the county in every election since 2000.[27] In2016,Donald Trump received more than 79 percent of the vote in the county, while former Arkansas First LadyHillary Clinton received just 16 percent. In2020, Trump received more than 83 percent of the vote, and in 2024 he received over 85%. Trump's performances in each of these elections are the best of any candidate in the county's history.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1896 | 737 | 54.35% | 615 | 45.35% | 4 | 0.29% |
| 1900 | 869 | 60.52% | 567 | 39.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1904 | 709 | 61.55% | 404 | 35.07% | 39 | 3.39% |
| 1908 | 636 | 45.69% | 597 | 42.89% | 159 | 11.42% |
| 1912 | 514 | 45.41% | 438 | 38.69% | 180 | 15.90% |
| 1916 | 919 | 59.37% | 629 | 40.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1920 | 1,070 | 60.80% | 594 | 33.75% | 96 | 5.45% |
| 1924 | 797 | 60.33% | 415 | 31.42% | 109 | 8.25% |
| 1928 | 1,425 | 69.65% | 606 | 29.62% | 15 | 0.73% |
| 1932 | 846 | 46.79% | 947 | 52.38% | 15 | 0.83% |
| 1936 | 1,010 | 56.81% | 767 | 43.14% | 1 | 0.06% |
| 1940 | 1,292 | 56.72% | 982 | 43.11% | 4 | 0.18% |
| 1944 | 1,409 | 61.07% | 891 | 38.62% | 7 | 0.30% |
| 1948 | 1,064 | 45.74% | 1,205 | 51.81% | 57 | 2.45% |
| 1952 | 1,996 | 66.44% | 1,007 | 33.52% | 1 | 0.03% |
| 1956 | 2,441 | 72.35% | 909 | 26.94% | 24 | 0.71% |
| 1960 | 2,297 | 68.55% | 1,022 | 30.50% | 32 | 0.95% |
| 1964 | 1,649 | 52.13% | 1,508 | 47.68% | 6 | 0.19% |
| 1968 | 1,909 | 56.83% | 724 | 21.55% | 726 | 21.61% |
| 1972 | 3,163 | 78.76% | 853 | 21.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 2,699 | 45.91% | 3,180 | 54.09% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 2,459 | 58.79% | 1,536 | 36.72% | 188 | 4.49% |
| 1984 | 2,819 | 67.10% | 1,313 | 31.25% | 69 | 1.64% |
| 1988 | 2,743 | 66.21% | 1,340 | 32.34% | 60 | 1.45% |
| 1992 | 1,772 | 44.48% | 1,679 | 42.14% | 533 | 13.38% |
| 1996 | 1,786 | 45.00% | 1,669 | 42.05% | 514 | 12.95% |
| 2000 | 2,610 | 64.32% | 1,229 | 30.29% | 219 | 5.40% |
| 2004 | 2,565 | 64.25% | 1,370 | 34.32% | 57 | 1.43% |
| 2008 | 2,726 | 70.86% | 961 | 24.98% | 160 | 4.16% |
| 2012 | 2,699 | 73.06% | 814 | 22.04% | 181 | 4.90% |
| 2016 | 2,955 | 79.27% | 601 | 16.12% | 172 | 4.61% |
| 2020 | 3,365 | 83.73% | 588 | 14.63% | 66 | 1.64% |
| 2024 | 3,305 | 85.42% | 511 | 13.21% | 53 | 1.37% |
The county is inArkansas's 1st congressional district, which fromReconstruction until 2010 sent only Democrats to the U.S. House. That year, it elected RepublicanRick Crawford, who currently holds the seat as of 2023. In theArkansas House of Representatives Searcy County is represented by first-term Republican Steven Walker from the 27th district.[29]The state senator,Missy Thomas Irvin, is also a Republican, serving her fourth term from the 24th district.[30]
Since 1980, in gubernatorial races, the county has tended to favor Republicans in all but one contest. It voted forFrank White in his successful run against freshman Democratic incumbentBill Clinton in 1980. It supported White again in 1982 and 1986 in rematches with Clinton. It also voted forWoody Freeman over Clinton in 1984. It was the only county in Arkansas where RepublicanSheffield Nelson won in both 1990 and 1994.[31] In 1990, it was Nelson's best county in the entire state, winning 64 percent to then-GovernorBill Clinton's 36 percent in Searcy County. In 1994, Searcy County was among the two counties to vote for Nelson over incumbent DemocratJim Guy Tucker,Benton County being the other (which actually voted for Clinton over Nelson in 1990).
In 1998, Searcy County voted for RepublicanMike Huckabee with just under 70 percent, and again in 2002, albeit with a reduced margin of 57 percent. In 2006, it voted 52 percent for Republican ex-CongressmanAsa Hutchinson, who lost to DemocratMike Beebe. In 2010, however, it did vote for incumbent DemocratMike Beebe with a margin of 57 percent to 40 percent over former state SenatorJim Keet, the first time it had done so since 1978. Keet was regarded as a weak candidate, as he failed to carry a single county.
Public education is provided for early childhood, elementary and secondary education from multiple school districts including:[32]
Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, theUnited States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "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 and publications. The townships of Searcy County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/orcensus-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township.[33][34]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Places adjacent to Searcy County, Arkansas | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofSearcy County, Arkansas,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDP | ||
| Other unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
35°55′32″N92°42′00″W / 35.92556°N 92.70000°W /35.92556; -92.70000
