County of Woodruff | |
|---|---|
 Woodruff County Courthouse in Augusta | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofArkansas | |
 Arkansas's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:35°11′42″N91°13′17″W / 35.19500°N 91.22139°W /35.19500; -91.22139 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| Founded | November 26, 1862 |
| Named after | William E. Woodruff |
| Seat | Augusta |
| Largest city | Augusta |
| Area | |
• Total | 594 sq mi (1,540 km2) |
| • Land | 587 sq mi (1,520 km2) |
| • Water | 7.2 sq mi (19 km2) 1.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 6,269 |
• Estimate (2024) | 5,808 |
| • Density | 10.7/sq mi (4.12/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | portal |
Woodruff County, officially theCounty of Woodruff, is located in theArkansas Delta in theU.S. state ofArkansas. Thecounty is named forWilliam E. Woodruff, founder of the state's first newspaper, theArkansas Gazette.
Created as Arkansas's 54th county in 1862, Woodruff County is home to one incorporatedtown and four incorporated cities, includingAugusta, thecounty seat. The county is also the site of numerousunincorporated communities andghost towns. Occupying only 587 square miles (152,000 ha), Woodruff County is the 13th smallest county in Arkansas. As of the2020 Census, the county's population was 6,269.[1]
Based on population, the county is the second-smallest county of the 75 in Arkansas.[2] Located in the Arkansas Delta, the county is largely flat with fertile soils. Historically covered in forest, bayous and swamps, the area was cleared for agriculture by early settlers. It is drained by theCache River and theWhite River. Along theCache River, theCache River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) runs north–south across the county, preserving bottomland forest,sloughs and wildlife habitat.
Although noInterstate highways are located in Woodruff County, threeUnited States highways (U.S. Route 49 [US 49],US 63, andUS 64) and twelveArkansas state highways run in the county. TwoUnion Pacific Railroad lines cross the county.[3]
The county is located in the Arkansas Delta, one of the six primary geographic regions of Arkansas. The Arkansas Delta is a subregion of theMississippi Alluvial Plain, which is a flat area consisting of rich, fertile sediment deposits from theMississippi River betweenLouisiana andIllinois. According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 594 square miles (1,540 km2), of which 587 square miles (1,520 km2) is land and 7.2 square miles (19 km2) (1.2%) is water.[4] Major hydrologic features include the Cache River, which roughly bisects the county north–south,Bayou De View, which runs through eastern Woodruff County, and the White River, which serves as the county's western boundary.
Prior to settlement, Woodruff County was densely forested, with bayous, sloughs, and swamps crossing the land. Seeking to take advantage of the area's fertile soils, settlers cleared the land to better suitrow crops. Although some swampland has been preserved in the Cache River NWR and some former farmland has undergone reforestation, the majority (56 percent) of the county remains in cultivation.[Note 1] Another large land use in Woodruff County is the Cache River NWR, owned by theUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service. Stretching approximately 90 miles (140 km) across adjacent counties, the NWR is listed as aRamsar wetlands of international importance, and serves as a key wintering area forducks and the largest contiguous tract ofbottomland hardwood forest inNorth America. The NWR aggressively seeks willing property owners to sell land to add to the NWR's boundaries, adding 2,000 acres (810 ha) in 2015.[6]
The county is located approximately 75 miles (121 km) northeast ofLittle Rock and 81.3 miles (130.8 km) west ofMemphis,Tennessee.[Note 2] Woodruff County is surrounded by five other Delta counties:Jackson County to the north,Cross County to the northeast,St. Francis County to the southeast,Monroe County to the south andPrairie County to the southwest. West of Woodruff County isWhite County, which is something of combination point for the Delta,Ozarks, andCentral Arkansas.
Woodruff County has ahumid subtropical climate (KöppenCfa). Woodruff County experiences all four seasons, although summers can be extremely hot and humid and winters are mild with little snow. July is the hottest month of the year, with an average high of 93 °F (33.9 °C) and an average low of 70 °F (21.1 °C). Temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C) are not uncommon. January is the coldest month with an average high of 49 °F (9.4 °C) and an average low of 27 °F (−2.8 °C). The highest temperature was 112 °F (44.4 °C), recorded in 1936 and 1972. The lowest temperature recorded was −11 °F (−24 °C), on January 8, 1942.
| Climate data for Augusta Climate Data | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 87 (31) | 85 (29) | 90 (32) | 97 (36) | 99 (37) | 109 (43) | 112 (44) | 112 (44) | 109 (43) | 98 (37) | 87 (31) | 81 (27) | 112 (44) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 49 (9) | 54 (12) | 63 (17) | 73 (23) | 81 (27) | 89 (32) | 93 (34) | 92 (33) | 85 (29) | 74 (23) | 62 (17) | 51 (11) | 72 (22) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 27 (−3) | 31 (−1) | 39 (4) | 48 (9) | 58 (14) | 67 (19) | 70 (21) | 69 (21) | 60 (16) | 48 (9) | 39 (4) | 30 (−1) | 49 (9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −11 (−24) | −10 (−23) | 9 (−13) | 24 (−4) | 36 (2) | 44 (7) | 52 (11) | 48 (9) | 34 (1) | 24 (−4) | 11 (−12) | −4 (−20) | −11 (−24) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.6 (91) | 3.8 (97) | 4.8 (120) | 5.0 (130) | 5.5 (140) | 2.9 (74) | 3.7 (94) | 2.7 (69) | 3.4 (86) | 4.7 (120) | 5.2 (130) | 5.0 (130) | 50.3 (1,281) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.8 (2.0) | 1.0 (2.5) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 2.0 (5.1) |
| Source 1: The Weather Channel[8] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weather Database[9] | |||||||||||||
Four incorporated cities and one incorporated town are located within the county. The largest city and county seat, Augusta, is located in the western part of the county near the White River and the White County border. Augusta's population was 1,998 as of the2020 Census,[10] well below its peak of 3,496 at the 1980 Census.McCrory andPatterson are adjacent to each other, located near the county's center.Cotton Plant andHunter are both located in the southern part of Woodruff County, with 2020 populations of 529 and 103, respectively.
Woodruff County has dozens of unincorporated communities and ghost towns within its borders. This is due to early settlers in Arkansas tending to cluster in small clusters rather than incorporated towns. For example,Fitzhugh had a post office at some point in its history. Other communities are simply a few dwellings at a crossroads that have adopted a common place name over time. Some are officially listed as populated places by theUnited States Geological Survey, and others are listed as historic settlements.Gregory is listed as acensus-designated place.
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 Woodruff County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/orcensus-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township.[11][12]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 6,891 | — | |
| 1880 | 8,646 | 25.5% | |
| 1890 | 14,009 | 62.0% | |
| 1900 | 16,304 | 16.4% | |
| 1910 | 20,049 | 23.0% | |
| 1920 | 21,547 | 7.5% | |
| 1930 | 22,682 | 5.3% | |
| 1940 | 22,133 | −2.4% | |
| 1950 | 18,957 | −14.3% | |
| 1960 | 13,954 | −26.4% | |
| 1970 | 11,566 | −17.1% | |
| 1980 | 11,222 | −3.0% | |
| 1990 | 9,520 | −15.2% | |
| 2000 | 8,741 | −8.2% | |
| 2010 | 7,260 | −16.9% | |
| 2020 | 6,269 | −13.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 5,808 | [13] | −7.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] 1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16] 1990–2000[17] 2010[18] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White | 4,235 | 67.55% |
| Black or African American | 1,601 | 25.54% |
| Native American | 8 | 0.13% |
| Asian | 22 | 0.35% |
| Other/Mixed | 307 | 4.9% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 96 | 1.53% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 6,269 people, 2,932 households, and 1,855 families residing in the county.
As of the2000 United States census,[21] there were 8,741 people, 3,531 households, and 2,439 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km2). There were 4,089 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 67.86%White, 30.75%Black orAfrican American, 0.23%Native American, 0.07%Asian, 0.10%Pacific Islander, 0.17% fromother races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 0.79% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 3,531 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.60% weremarried couples living together, 16.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 28.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 89.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $22,099, and the median income for a family was $27,824. Males had a median income of $24,051 versus $17,995 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $13,269. About 21.70% of families and 27.00% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 38.10% of those under age 18 and 27.00% 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 called justices 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 Woodruff County Quorum Court has nine members. Presiding over quorum court meetings is the county judge, who serves as the chief executive 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.[22][23]
Woodruff County,like most rural white Southern counties, leaned heavilyDemocratic for most of its history, particularly in theJim Crow and immediate post-Jim Crow eras. From1880 to 2012, the county failed to back the Democratic nominee in a presidential election only twice: in1968, when it backed the third-party candidacy ofGeorge Wallace (who was otherwise affiliated with the Democratic Party) and in1972, when it and every other county in the state backedRepublicanRichard Nixon amidst a national landslide. In2016 and2020, it voted for RepublicanDonald Trump amidst large Republican gains in rural areas across the nation. The 2020 election marked a historic shift, as the county swung substantially to the right despite Trump losing the national election. This marked the first time in history that a Democrat was elected president without carrying Woodruff County, and Trump's 28-point win was the largest Republican margin in the county's history.
Despite Woodruff County's Republican trend at the state and federal levels, many Democratic and Independent politicians still hold numerous local offices. As of 2025, the Quorum Court is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, meanwhile the majority of countywide officials areindependents.
Woodruff County is represented in the 10th district of theArkansas Senate by RepublicanRon Caldwell, areal estate businessman fromWynne inCross County, and in the 61st district of theArkansas House of Representatives by Republican Jeremiah Moore, a real estate broker fromClarendon inMonroe County.[24] The county is part of the1st congressional district in theU.S. House of Representatives, and is represented by RepublicanRick Crawford.
| Position | Officeholder | Party |
|---|---|---|
| County Judge | Michael John Gray | Independent |
| County Clerk | Jackie Meredith | Independent |
| Circuit Clerk | Lori Grisham | Independent |
| Sheriff/Collector | Phil Reynolds | Independent |
| Treasurer | Carrie Woodall | Independent |
| Tax Assessor | Leslie Collins | Independent |
| Coroner | Brad Bevills | (Unknown) |
The composition of the Quorum Court after the 2024 elections is 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans, and 1 Independent. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[29]
Additionally, the townships of Woodruff 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.[30] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[31]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1896 | 620 | 29.43% | 1,478 | 70.15% | 9 | 0.43% |
| 1900 | 549 | 35.51% | 990 | 64.04% | 7 | 0.45% |
| 1904 | 578 | 38.84% | 861 | 57.86% | 49 | 3.29% |
| 1908 | 752 | 40.39% | 1,046 | 56.18% | 64 | 3.44% |
| 1912 | 473 | 27.84% | 903 | 53.15% | 323 | 19.01% |
| 1916 | 438 | 31.90% | 935 | 68.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1920 | 943 | 46.41% | 1,049 | 51.62% | 40 | 1.97% |
| 1924 | 254 | 24.26% | 762 | 72.78% | 31 | 2.96% |
| 1928 | 452 | 27.95% | 1,163 | 71.92% | 2 | 0.12% |
| 1932 | 135 | 6.68% | 1,864 | 92.19% | 23 | 1.14% |
| 1936 | 253 | 14.55% | 1,473 | 84.70% | 13 | 0.75% |
| 1940 | 193 | 13.03% | 1,280 | 86.43% | 8 | 0.54% |
| 1944 | 279 | 16.79% | 1,377 | 82.85% | 6 | 0.36% |
| 1948 | 207 | 11.32% | 1,008 | 55.11% | 614 | 33.57% |
| 1952 | 818 | 28.81% | 2,017 | 71.05% | 4 | 0.14% |
| 1956 | 992 | 37.08% | 1,630 | 60.93% | 53 | 1.98% |
| 1960 | 667 | 26.31% | 1,613 | 63.63% | 255 | 10.06% |
| 1964 | 1,366 | 36.99% | 2,307 | 62.47% | 20 | 0.54% |
| 1968 | 625 | 17.22% | 1,270 | 35.00% | 1,734 | 47.78% |
| 1972 | 1,989 | 61.73% | 1,183 | 36.72% | 50 | 1.55% |
| 1976 | 848 | 21.78% | 3,040 | 78.09% | 5 | 0.13% |
| 1980 | 1,204 | 32.06% | 2,452 | 65.28% | 100 | 2.66% |
| 1984 | 1,675 | 44.56% | 2,055 | 54.67% | 29 | 0.77% |
| 1988 | 1,097 | 36.16% | 1,924 | 63.41% | 13 | 0.43% |
| 1992 | 676 | 19.34% | 2,589 | 74.08% | 230 | 6.58% |
| 1996 | 598 | 20.97% | 2,044 | 71.67% | 210 | 7.36% |
| 2000 | 898 | 33.87% | 1,699 | 64.09% | 54 | 2.04% |
| 2004 | 1,021 | 33.74% | 1,972 | 65.17% | 33 | 1.09% |
| 2008 | 1,206 | 43.68% | 1,412 | 51.14% | 143 | 5.18% |
| 2012 | 1,227 | 45.70% | 1,340 | 49.91% | 118 | 4.39% |
| 2016 | 1,347 | 52.39% | 1,118 | 43.49% | 106 | 4.12% |
| 2020 | 1,543 | 62.32% | 856 | 34.57% | 77 | 3.11% |
| 2024 | 1,513 | 65.27% | 760 | 32.79% | 45 | 1.94% |
TheWoodruff County Airport located along US 64 between Patterson and Augusta is the only public own/public use airport in the county. It is ageneral aviation airport, serving primarily agricultural (spraying) and recreational operations. For the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2014, the facility saw 5,500 general aviation operations.[33]
TheArkansas Department of Health is responsible for the regulation and oversight of public water systems throughout the state. Woodruff County contains seven community water systems: Augusta Waterworks, Breckenridge Union Water Association (UWA), Cross County Rural Water System, Cotton Plant Waterworks, McCrory Waterworks, Patterson Waterworks, and West Woodruff Water District. Within the county, Augusta Waterworks has the largest retail population (2,284), followed by McCrory (1,647), and Breckenridge UWA (1,267).[34] All community water systems in Woodruff County use groundwater as their source of raw water, except West Woodruff Water District, who purchases all water from Patterson.[35]
The southeastern portion of Woodruff County, includingHunter, is served by theBrinkley School District in neighboring Monroe County.[38]
Geographic data related toWoodruff County, Arkansas atOpenStreetMap Places adjacent to Woodruff County, Arkansas | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofWoodruff County, Arkansas,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDP | ||
| Other unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
