DESHA COUNTY, ARKANSAS

'Desha County' is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population is 15,341. The county seat is Arkansas City. Desha County is Arkansas's 40th county, formed on December 12, 1838 and named for Captain Benjamin Desha who fought in the War of 1812. Local pronunciation of the name is "deh-SHAY".

Contents

Geography

Major Highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Cities and towns

References

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,123 km² (820 mi²). 1,981 km² (765 mi²) of it is land and 141 km² (55 mi²) of it (6.65%) is water. Desha County is alternately considered as part of the larger regions of South Arkansas and Southeast Arkansas.

Major Highways

★ U.S. Highway 65

★ U.S. Highway 165

★ U.S. Highway 278

★ Highway 1

★ Highway 4

★ Highway 54

Adjacent counties

★ Arkansas County (north)

★ Phillips County (northeast)

★ Bolivar County, Mississippi (east)

★ Chicot County (south)

★ Drew County (southwest)

★ Lincoln County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 15,341 people, 5,922 households, and 4,192 families residing in the county. The population density was 8/km² (20/mi²). There were 6,663 housing units at an average density of 3/km² (9/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 50.50% White, 46.33% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.73% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 3.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,922 households out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.50% were married couples living together, 19.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.90% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $24,121, and the median income for a family was $30,028. Males had a median income of $29,623 versus $18,913 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,446. About 23.60% of families and 28.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.60% of those under age 18 and 24.00% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

★ Arkansas City ★ Dumas

★ McGehee ★ Mitchellville

★ Reed ★ Tillar

★ Watson

References

1. Based on 2000 census data