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 Rock–North Little Rock–Conway metropolitan area. Its county seat is Little Rock,[2] which is also Arkansas's capital and largest city.
Pulaski County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 34°44′32″N 92°17′09″W / 34.742222222222°N 92.285833333333°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Arkansas |
Founded | December 15, 1818 |
Named for | Casimir Pulaski |
Seat | Little Rock |
Largest city | Little Rock |
Area | |
• Total | 808 sq mi (2,090 km2) |
• Land | 760 sq mi (2,000 km2) |
• Water | 48 sq mi (120 km2) 5.9% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 399,125 |
• Estimate (2022) | 401,297 |
• Density | 490/sq mi (190/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional districts | 1st, 2nd, 4th |
Website | pulaskicounty |
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
editAccording 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
edit- I-30
- I-40
- I-57
- I-430
- I-440
- I-530
- I-630
- U.S. Highway 65
- U.S. Highway 67
- U.S. Highway 70
- U.S. Highway 165
- U.S. Highway 167
- Highway 5
- Highway 10
- Highway 100
- Highway 161
- Highway 300
- Highway 338
- Highway 365
- Highway 367
Transit
edit- Rock Region Metro (Metro Streetcar)
- Amtrak Texas Eagle (Little Rock station)
- Greyhound Lines
- Jefferson Lines
Adjacent counties
edit- Faulkner County (north)
- Lonoke County (east)
- Grant County (south)
- Jefferson County (south)
- Saline County (west)
- Perry County (northwest)
National protected areas
editDemographics
editCensus | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1830 | 2,395 | — | |
1840 | 5,350 | 123.4% | |
1850 | 5,657 | 5.7% | |
1860 | 11,699 | 106.8% | |
1870 | 32,066 | 174.1% | |
1880 | 32,616 | 1.7% | |
1890 | 47,329 | 45.1% | |
1900 | 63,179 | 33.5% | |
1910 | 86,751 | 37.3% | |
1920 | 109,464 | 26.2% | |
1930 | 137,727 | 25.8% | |
1940 | 156,085 | 13.3% | |
1950 | 196,685 | 26.0% | |
1960 | 242,980 | 23.5% | |
1970 | 287,189 | 18.2% | |
1980 | 340,613 | 18.6% | |
1990 | 349,660 | 2.7% | |
2000 | 361,474 | 3.4% | |
2010 | 382,748 | 5.9% | |
2020 | 399,125 | 4.3% | |
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] |
2020 census
editRace | 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
editAs 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
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2018) |
The Arkansas Department of Correction Wrightsville Unit is in Wrightsville.[13]
Politics
editPulaski 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.
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
edit- Tertiary
- Pulaski Technical College is a two-year community college and technical school that offers seven locations throughout the county, including a flagship campus in western North Little Rock.
- Four-year postsecondary institutions include the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of Arkansas System's only metropolitan campus, the United Methodist Church-affiliated Philander Smith College, Arkansas Baptist College, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences — all located in Little Rock.
School districts include:[16]
- Jacksonville North Pulaski School District
- Little Rock School District
- North Little Rock School District
- Pulaski County Special School District
- East End School District
- State-operated schools
Communities
editCities
edit- Cammack Village
- Jacksonville
- Little Rock (county seat)
- Maumelle
- North Little Rock
- Sherwood
- Wrightsville
Town
edit- Alexander (mostly in Saline County)
Census-designated places
editOther communities
editTownships
editTownships 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 |
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 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau[19][20] |
Notable people
edit- Karilyn Brown, member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
- Granville Ryles (1831–1909), minister, farmer and state legislator in Arkansas
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "2020 Census Data". data.census.gov.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
- ^ Based on 2000 census data
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Facilities 5. Arkansas Department of Corrections. Retrieved on March 8, 2011.
- ^ 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) - ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "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
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2014.