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Pulaski County, Arkansas

Coordinates: 34°44′32″N 92°17′09″W / 34.74222°N 92.28583°W / 34.74222; -92.28583
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Pulaski County
Pulaski County Courthouse, in downtown Little Rock
Pulaski County Courthouse, in downtown Little Rock
Flag of Pulaski County
Official seal of Pulaski County
Map of Arkansas highlighting Pulaski County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Map of the United States highlighting Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°44′32″N 92°17′09″W / 34.742222222222°N 92.285833333333°W / 34.742222222222; -92.285833333333
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedDecember 15, 1818
Named forCasimir Pulaski
SeatLittle Rock
Largest cityLittle Rock
Area
 • Total
808 sq mi (2,090 km2)
 • Land760 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Water48 sq mi (120 km2)  5.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
399,125
 • Estimate 
(2022)
401,297
 • Density490/sq mi (190/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd, 4th
Websitepulaskicounty.net

Pulaski County is a county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. With a population of 399,125 as of the 2020 United States Census, it is the most populous county in Arkansas.[1] The county is included in the Little RockNorth Little RockConway metropolitan area. Its county seat is Little Rock,[2] which is also Arkansas's capital and largest city.

Pulaski County is Arkansas's fifth county, formed on December 15, 1818, alongside Clark and Hempstead Counties. Pulaski County is named for Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, a Polish-born Continental Army officer who was killed in action at the Siege of Savannah during the Revolutionary War. The county was the site of the Battle of Bayou Fourche on September 10, 1863. The Union army took control the same day and occupied Pulaski County until the end of the Civil War. The county was home to Willow Springs Water Park, one of the oldest water parks in the nation, which opened in 1928 and closed in 2013.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 808 square miles (2,090 km2), of which 760 square miles (2,000 km2) is land and 48 square miles (120 km2) (5.9%) is water.[3]

Major highways

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Transit

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Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18302,395
18405,350123.4%
18505,6575.7%
186011,699106.8%
187032,066174.1%
188032,6161.7%
189047,32945.1%
190063,17933.5%
191086,75137.3%
1920109,46426.2%
1930137,72725.8%
1940156,08513.3%
1950196,68526.0%
1960242,98023.5%
1970287,18918.2%
1980340,61318.6%
1990349,6602.7%
2000361,4743.4%
2010382,7485.9%
2020399,1254.3%
2023 (est.)400,009[4]0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[9] 2020[1]
Age pyramid Pulaski County[10]

2020 census

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Pulaski County racial composition[11]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 193,993 48.6%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 142,139 35.61%
Native American 1,169 0.29%
Asian 9,933 2.49%
Pacific Islander 208 0.05%
Other/Mixed 18,530 4.64%
Hispanic or Latino 33,153 8.31%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 399,125 people, 158,000 households, and 93,080 families residing in the county.

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census,[12] there were 361,474 people, 147,942 households, and 95,718 families residing in the county. The population density was 469 inhabitants 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.

Government and infrastructure

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The Arkansas Department of Correction Wrightsville Unit is in Wrightsville.[13]

Politics

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Pulaski County is one of the most Democratic counties in Arkansas and the Southern United States. The city of North Little Rock was ranked the most liberal community in the state.[14]

In the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War, Republicans carried the county in every presidential election from 1868 to 1888.[citation needed] Since then, Republicans have only won the county four times: 1956, 1972, 1984, and 1988, all national Republican landslides.[citation needed]

Pulaski County has followed in the footsteps of most urban counties across the country, especially in the era of Barack Obama's presidency and post-presidency that has seen urban areas turn bluer and rural areas, such as most of Arkansas, to become even redder and more conservative. Donald Trump, the two-time winner of the state with over 60% of the vote, only garnered about 38% in this county, among his worst performances in this state. Joe Biden's 59.98% share in 2020 is the highest for a Democrat in the county since 1976, besting even Arkansas native Bill Clinton in both 1992 and 1996.

United States presidential election results for Pulaski County, Arkansas[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 57,977 37.67% 92,038 59.79% 3,909 2.54%
2020 63,687 37.47% 101,947 59.98% 4,322 2.54%
2016 61,257 38.34% 89,574 56.06% 8,945 5.60%
2012 68,984 43.28% 87,248 54.74% 3,149 1.98%
2008 70,212 43.52% 88,854 55.07% 2,277 1.41%
2004 67,903 44.20% 84,532 55.03% 1,185 0.77%
2000 55,866 43.94% 68,320 53.73% 2,965 2.33%
1996 44,780 35.06% 75,084 58.78% 7,869 6.16%
1992 47,789 34.89% 79,482 58.03% 9,686 7.07%
1988 70,562 54.98% 55,857 43.53% 1,914 1.49%
1984 77,651 58.20% 54,237 40.65% 1,530 1.15%
1980 52,125 46.15% 54,839 48.56% 5,973 5.29%
1976 37,690 37.14% 63,541 62.62% 244 0.24%
1972 57,576 62.95% 33,611 36.75% 281 0.31%
1968 26,709 33.32% 27,597 34.43% 25,844 32.24%
1964 38,312 48.32% 40,535 51.12% 442 0.56%
1960 22,146 39.70% 26,034 46.67% 7,608 13.64%
1956 25,702 51.10% 23,372 46.46% 1,227 2.44%
1952 23,460 48.59% 24,448 50.63% 378 0.78%
1948 5,910 23.99% 13,120 53.25% 5,609 22.76%
1944 6,069 26.87% 16,470 72.91% 50 0.22%
1940 2,955 17.15% 14,219 82.52% 56 0.33%
1936 1,320 10.29% 11,482 89.49% 28 0.22%
1932 2,281 13.87% 14,049 85.46% 110 0.67%
1928 4,880 34.55% 9,215 65.24% 29 0.21%
1924 2,729 28.36% 5,706 59.30% 1,187 12.34%
1920 3,711 35.80% 6,506 62.76% 150 1.45%
1916 2,593 30.15% 6,008 69.85% 0 0.00%
1912 1,044 16.76% 3,369 54.09% 1,815 29.14%
1908 3,533 45.68% 3,893 50.33% 309 3.99%
1904 2,450 42.44% 3,099 53.68% 224 3.88%
1900 1,932 41.85% 2,609 56.52% 75 1.62%
1896 1,754 35.84% 3,021 61.73% 119 2.43%
1892 2,492 39.07% 3,392 53.18% 494 7.75%

Education

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Tertiary

School districts include:[16]

State-operated schools

Communities

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Cities

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Town

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Census-designated places

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Other communities

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Townships

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Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas and some may have incorporated towns or cities within part of their space. Townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the US Census does list Arkansas population based on townships (often referred to as "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. Pulaski County only has two townships, as of 2010. They are listed below.[17][18]

Township FIPS code ANSI code
(GNIS ID)
Population
center(s)
Pop.
(2010)
Pop.
density
(/mi2)
Pop.
density
(/km2)
Land area
(mi2)
Land area
(km2)
Water area
(mi2)
Water area
(km2)
Geographic coordinates
Big Rock 05-90300 69013 Alexander, Cammack Village, Little Rock, Wrightsville 219,984 506.7 195.6 404.014 1,046 30.148 78.08 34°44′30″N 92°24′43″W / 34.741774°N 92.412071°W / 34.741774; -92.412071
Hill 05-91731 69014 Jacksonville, Maumelle, North Little Rock, Sherwood 162,764 435.8 168.3 355.750 921.4 17.753 45.98 34°48′12″N 92°11′32″W / 34.803240°N 92.192098°W / 34.803240; -92.192098
Source: U.S. Census Bureau[19][20]

Notable people

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  • Karilyn Brown, member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
  • Granville Ryles (1831–1909), minister, farmer and state legislator in Arkansas

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "2020 Census Data". data.census.gov.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  4. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  7. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  10. ^ Based on 2000 census data
  11. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ Facilities 5. Arkansas Department of Corrections. Retrieved on March 8, 2011.
  14. ^ Kiersz, Hunter Walker, Andy. "Here Are The Most Liberal And Most Conservative Towns In Each State". Business Insider. Retrieved July 5, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  16. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pulaski County, AR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list - 2010 map and list
  17. ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Pulaski County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  18. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  19. ^ "County Subdivisions: Arkansas". Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (TXT) on May 31, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  20. ^ "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
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34°44′32″N 92°17′09″W / 34.74222°N 92.28583°W / 34.74222; -92.28583