Conway County, Arkansas

Conway County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. Created as Arkansas's 11th county on October 20, 1825, Conway County has four incorporated municipalities, including Morrilton, the county seat and most populous city. The county is also the site of numerous unincorporated communities and ghost towns. The county is named for Henry Wharton Conway, a politician from a powerful political family who served as the delegate from the Arkansas Territory to the U.S. Congress from 1823 to 1827.

Not to be confused with Conway, Arkansas.
Conway County
U.S. county
Clockwise from top: Conway County Courthouse, the Arkansas River, Cedar Falls, a panoramic view of the Arkansas River Valley from Petit Jean State Park, the Morrilton Train Station, and downtown Morrilton
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°16′00″N 92°42′00″W
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedOctober 20, 1825
Named forHenry Wharton Conway
SeatMorrilton
Largest cityMorrilton
Area
 • Total566.66 sq mi (1,467.6 km2)
 • Land556.15 sq mi (1,440.4 km2)
 • Water10.51 sq mi (27.2 km2)  1.8%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total21,273
 • Density37.5/sq mi (14.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websiteconwaycountyar.com

As of the 2010 census, the population was 21,273.[1] The county seat is Morrilton.[2] The county was formed on October 20, 1825, from a portion of Pulaski County and named for Henry Wharton Conway who was the territorial delegate to the U.S. Congress.

In 2010, the center of population of Arkansas was located in Conway County, near the city of Plumerville.[3]

History
Henry W. Conway, namesake for Conway County.

Conway County was formed on October 20, 1825 from a portion of Pulaski County and named for Henry Wharton Conway, who was the territorial delegate to the U.S. Congress.

From 1831 until 1883, Lewisburg was the county seat. When the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad planned built tracks 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Lewisburg in 1871, the proposed depot was to be named Morrilton after farmer E. J. Morrill, who sold the land to the railroad. People relocated from Lewisburg to Morrilton beginning in 1880, county government was relocated in 1883, and the depot was built in 1910.[4]

Conway County was much larger upon creation. Van Buren County was created from parts of Conway, Izard, and Independence counties on November 11, 1833. Perry County was created from Conway County on December 18, 1840. Faulkner County was created from parts of Conway and Pulaski counties on April 12, 1873.

Geography
Top: View from Petit Jean Mountain
Bottom: Arkansas River winds through an alluvial plain
Main articles: Geography of Arkansas and Arkansas River Valley

Conway County is within the Arkansas River Valley region, a fertile, low-lying valley along the Arkansas River between the Ozark Mountains to the north and the Ouachita Mountains to the south.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 567 square miles (1,470 km2), of which 552 square miles (1,430 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (2.5%) is water.[5] It is the fifth-smallest county in Arkansas by area.

The county is located approximately 52 miles (84 km) northwest of Little Rock, 109 miles (175 km) east of Fort Smith, and 180 miles (290 km) west of Memphis, Tennessee.[Note 1] Conway County is surrounded by two Central Arkansas counties: Faulkner County to the east and Perry County to the south, and three River Valley/mountain counties: Van Buren County to the north, Yell County to the southwest, and Pope County to the west.

Protected areas

The northern 16 square kilometres (1,600 hectares) of Conway County is protected within the Ozark National Forest, a small part of a large protected forest spanning parts of 16 Arkansas counties. Petit Jean State Park, is Arkansas's oldest state park, rises from the River Valley in southern Conway County along the top of Petit Jean Mountain.

Conway County is home to five Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) under Arkansas Game and Fish Commission jurisdiction. Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA is a wetland near the confluence of the East Fork and West Fork of Point Remove Creek in western Conway County. The area is known for duck, deer, and dove hunting.[7] Lake Overcup WMA is a noted crappie fishing lake created by AGFC in 1963.[8] Cypress Creek WMA is located around the shore of Brewer Lake, a fishing lake built in 1983 to construct a water supply for Conway,[9] as well as containing parts of the Cherokee WMA[10] and a small part of Piney Creeks WMA.[11] The county is also home to the Cove Creek Natural Area.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1830982—
18402,892194.5%
18503,58323.9%
18606,69786.9%
18708,11221.1%
188012,75557.2%
189019,45952.6%
190019,7721.6%
191022,72915.0%
192022,578−0.7%
193021,949−2.8%
194021,536−1.9%
195018,137−15.8%
196015,430−14.9%
197016,8058.9%
198019,50516.1%
199019,151−1.8%
200020,3366.2%
201021,2734.6%
2019 (est.)20,846[12]−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15]
1990–2000[16] 2010–2016[1]

2010 Census

Racial/Ethnic Makeup of Conway County treating Hispanics as a Separate Category (2010)[17]

  White Non-Hispanic (82.4%)
  Black Non-Hispanic (11.2%)
  Native American Non-Hispanic (0.7%)
  Asian Non-Hispanic (0.4%)
  Pacific Islander Non-Hispanic (0.0%)
  Other Non-Hispanic (0.0%)
  Two or more races Non-Hispanic (1.7%)
  Hispanic Any Race (3.6%)

As of the 2010 census,[17] there were 21,273 people, 8,463 households, and 4,473 families in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile (14/km2). There were 9,720 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.2% White, 11.2% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 3.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 8,463 households 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.4% of households were one person and 11.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.98.

The age distribution was 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% 65 or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median household income was $32,700 and the median family income was $48,116. Males had a median income of $38,675 versus $26,318 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,909. About 10.2% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.8% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.[18]

2000 Census
Age pyramid Conway County[19]

At the 2000 census,[20] there were 20,336 people, 7,967 households, and 5,736 families in the county. The population density was 37 people per square mile (14/km2). There were 9,028 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.27% White, 13.05% Black or African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 1.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 7,967 households 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 25.40% of households were one person and 12.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median household income was $31,209 and the median family income was $38,179. Males had a median income of $28,199 versus $20,134 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,056. About 12.20% of families and 16.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.90% of those under age 18 and 13.10% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Prior to 2000, this county was considered an "ancestral" Democratic county, voting solidly for the party with exceptions for the 1972 and 1984 landslides of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, respectively. Former Governor Bill Clinton won this county twice in his presidential runs: 1992 and 1996.

As is the case with most rural counties since the turn of the millennium, the county has turned sharply rightward and away from a more socially liberal Democratic Party than the one Clinton led. Donald Trump won 61% of the vote in 2016 over former Arkansas First Lady and U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton, owing both to the strength of Trump in rural America and the decline of the Clinton brand in their home state.

Presidential elections results
Conway County vote
by party in presidential elections [21]
Year GOP Dem Others
2016 61.17% 4,849 33.51% 2,656 5.32% 422
2012 58.40% 4,514 38.87% 3,005 2.73% 211
2008 57.64% 4,691 38.70% 3,149 3.66% 298
2004 49.59% 4,009 49.26% 3,982 1.15% 93
2000 49.00% 3,545 48.33% 3,496 2.67% 193
1996 31.68% 2,307 55.69% 4,055 12.63% 920
1992 32.06% 2,719 57.75% 4,898 10.19% 864
1988 49.35% 4,066 50.18% 4,134 0.47% 39
1984 57.14% 5,049 42.35% 3,742 0.51% 45
1980 45.11% 4,145 51.13% 4,698 3.76% 346
1976 25.23% 2,177 74.67% 6,443 0.10% 9
1972 58.11% 4,187 41.76% 3,009 0.12% 9
1968 30.40% 1,973 39.44% 2,560 30.16% 1,958
1964 36.02% 2,378 63.69% 4,205 0.29% 19
1960 35.13% 1,685 60.47% 2,900 4.40% 211
1956 38.22% 1,636 61.15% 2,618 0.63% 27
1952 40.12% 2,133 59.70% 3,174 0.19% 10
1948 17.32% 425 72.17% 1,771 10.52% 258
1944 28.77% 639 71.09% 1,579 0.14% 3
1940 11.62% 272 88.33% 2,067 0.04% 1
1936 13.15% 305 86.77% 2,013 0.09% 2
1932 10.05% 285 89.24% 2,530 0.71% 20
1928 30.48% 665 69.39% 1,514 0.14% 3
1924 33.72% 526 58.27% 909 8.01% 125
1920 40.48% 1,243 58.32% 1,791 1.20% 37
1916 42.42% 1,032 57.58% 1,401 0.00% 0
1912 22.15% 527 60.32% 1,435 17.53% 417
1908 24.04% 818 74.43% 2,533 1.53% 52
1904 36.80% 937 61.74% 1,572 1.45% 37
1900 32.72% 805 66.46% 1,635 0.81% 20
1896 22.40% 656 76.99% 2,255 0.61% 18

Communities

Cities

Town

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships
Townships in Conway County, Arkansas as of 2010

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, the United 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 Conway County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [22][23]

  • Austin
  • Bentley (Oppelo)
  • Bird
  • Catholic Point
  • Cedar Falls
  • Gregory
  • Griffin
  • Higgins
  • Howard (Menifee, Plumerville)
  • Lick Mountain (CDP Center Ridge)
  • Martin
  • McLaren
  • Nichols
  • Old Hickory
  • Petit Jean
  • St. Vincent
  • Steele
  • Union
  • Washington
  • Welborn (Morrilton)
  • White Eagle

Infrastructure

Major highways

See also

Notes
  1. Mileages from Conway County to Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Memphis are based on highway miles using county seat Morrilton for Conway County.[6]

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  4. Rogers, Aaron W. (September 18, 2019). "Morrilton (Conway County)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Little Rock: Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  6. "Google Maps (Search for Morrilton, AR)". Google. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  7. Mosby, Joe (February 25, 2013). "Partners Created Ed Gordon/Point Remove WMA". Fort Smith Times Record. Fort Smith, AR – via NewsBank.
  8. Nelson, Rex (October 16, 2019). "The Catholic Point Italians". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock, AR: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. p. 7B. Retrieved January 11, 2020 – via NewsBank.
  9. Staff (July 19, 1999). "Lake Brewer at a glance". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Inc. Little Rock, AR. p. C3. Retrieved January 11, 2020 – via NewsBank.
  10. GIS Staff (November 21, 2019). Cherokee WMA (PDF) (Map). 1:70000. Little Rock: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. p. 7. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  11. GIS Staff (July 19, 2019). Piney Creeks WMA (PDF) (Map). 1:100000. Little Rock: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. p. 5. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  12. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  15. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  16. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  17. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010, 2010 Demographic Profile Data, Conway County, Arkansas". 2010 United States Census. Washington, DC: United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  18. "Selected Economic Characteristics". United States Census Bureau. 2010. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  19. Based on 2000 census data
  20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  21. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  22. 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Conway County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2011-08-19.
  23. "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 27, 2014.

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