Drew County, Arkansas
County in Arkansas, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Drew County is regional economic, educational, and cultural hub in the Southeast Arkansas region. Created as Arkansas's 51st county on November 26, 1846, Drew County contains four municipalities, including Monticello, the county seat and largest city.[1] The county is named for Thomas Drew,[2] the third governor of Arkansas.
Drew County, Arkansas | |
|---|---|
Drew County Courthouse in Monticello | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas | |
| Coordinates: 33°35′04″N 91°43′51″W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| Founded | November 26, 1846 |
| Named after | Thomas Drew |
| Seat | Monticello |
| Largest city | Monticello |
| Government | |
| • County Judge | Jessi Griffin |
| Area | |
• Total | 836 sq mi (2,170 km2) |
| • Land | 828 sq mi (2,140 km2) |
| • Water | 7.3 sq mi (19 km2) 0.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 17,350 |
• Estimate (2024) | 16,935  |
| • Density | 21.0/sq mi (8.09/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Website | drewcoar |
Located mostly within the Piney Woods on the border with the Arkansas Delta, the county is largely flat to rolling and covered in pine-hardwood flatwoods or pine plantations.
Drew County occupies 835.51 square miles (2,164.0 km2) and contained a population of 17,350 people in 7,133 households as of the 2020 census, ranking it 14th in size and 43rd in population among the state's 75 counties.[3]
History
Located on the edge of the Arkansas Delta and the Arkansas Timberlands, its fertile lowland soils produced prosperity for early settlers in the antebellum era. Cotton was the major commodity crop, cultivated by the labor of enslaved African Americans. Corn, apples, peaches and tomatoes were also grown through their work.
Following the Civil War, the boundaries of Drew County changed as some property, including Mill Creek Township, was reassigned to the new Lincoln County established by the Reconstruction-era legislature in 1871.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, timber harvesting became a more important industry here than cotton. The population declined from 1910 to 1970, as fewer workers were needed in timber. In addition, many African Americans left the oppressive social conditions of racial violence, disfranchisement, and Jim Crow laws to join the Great Migration to northern and midwestern industrial cities. After World War II, an even greater number migrated to the West Coast.
As a variety of industries began to move to the county, several colleges were founded here in the early part of the 20th century. One developed as University of Arkansas at Monticello. Today, the county has a diverse economy and is an economic center in southeast Arkansas. Its population is majority white; these voters are mostly affiliated with the Republican Party.
Geography
Drew County is largely located in the South Central Plains, an United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Level III ecoregion commonly known as the Piney Woods in the region. The eastern part of the county along Bayou Bartholomew is located in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, more commonly known as the Arkansas Delta (in Arkansas, usually referred to as "the Delta").
Within the Piney Woods, much of the county is located in the Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces subregion. The Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces are nearly level, poorly-drained, periodically wet, and often covered by pine–hardwood flatwoods. Loblolly pine and oaks are common and are adapted to the prevailing hydroxeric regime; pastureland and hayland are less extensive. The lowest terrace is nearly flat, clayey, and has extensive hardwood wetlands. Higher terraces are dominated by pine flatwoods, pine savanna, prairie, or a mixed forest of pine and oak.[4]
The northwest corner of Drew County, including an area surrounding Monticello, is located in the Tertiary Uplands subregion. The rolling Tertiary Uplands, gently to moderately sloping, are dominated by commercial pine plantations that have replaced the native oak–hickory–pine forest.[4] Prominent native trees include shortleaf pine, loblolly pine, various oaks, hickories, and sweetgum. Scattered, stunted, sandhill woodlands and grasslands also occur. The landscape is dissected by numerous small streams. Waters tend to be stained by organics, with a sandy substrate and a forest canopy. Many do not flow during the summer or early fall. Water quality in forested basins is better than in pastureland. Oil production has lowered stream quality in the south. Timber production is the dominant land use, along with livestock grazing, poultry production, and oil and gas activities.[4]
The Saline River floodplain on the western edge of Drew County is located within the Floodplains and Low Terraces subregion. Forested wetlands are characteristic, pastureland also occurs, and cropland is far less common. Overbank flooding, subsurface groundwater, and local precipitation recharge water levels in backswamps, pools, sloughs, oxbows, and depressions of this floodplain region. Potential natural vegetation is southern floodplain forest as in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain; it is unlike the oak–hickory–pine forest of the Tertiary Uplands.[4]
The eastern part of Drew County is located within the Arkansas Delta, a flat area consisting of rich, fertile sediment deposits from the Mississippi River between Louisiana and Illinois. Bayou Bartholomew inhabits the longest section of abandoned channels of the Arkansas River within the Arkansas/Ouachita River Holocene Meander Belts subregion. Habitat diversity is sufficient for Bayou Bartholomew to be one of the most species-rich streams in North America. Within an abandoned course, bald cypress and water tupelo often grow in the modern stream channel adjacent to a strip of wet bottomland hardwood forest dominated by overcup oak and water hickory.[4] The flats, swales, and natural levees of the Arkansas/Ouachita River Backswamps subregion serves as a buffer between Bayou Bartholomew and the Piney Woods. Water often collects into marshes, swamps, oxbow lakes, ponds, and sloughs. Artificial drainage canals and ditches are common, resulting in farming of rice, cotton, and soybeans, but forests and forested wetlands also occur.[4]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 835.51 square miles (2,164.0 km2), of which 828 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 7.3 square miles (19 km2) (0.9%) is water.[5]
The county is located approximately 89 miles (143 km) southeast of Little Rock, 159 miles (256 km) northeast of Shreveport, Louisiana, and 175 miles (282 km) northwest of Jackson, Mississippi.[Note 1] Drew County is surrounded by Lincoln County to the north, Desha County to the northeast, Chicot County to the southeast, Ashley County to the south, Bradley County to the west, and Cleveland County to the northwest.
Hydrology
The Monticello Ridge, which extends from north of Star City, Arkansas through Drew County into Louisiana roughly along US 425, splits the county into two large watersheds: Bayou Bartholomew on the east and the Saline River on the west. Tributaries of Bayou Bartholomew in eastern Drew County include Ables Creek and Cut-Off Creek. Much of eastern Drew County drains to Cut-Off Creek via tributaries, including Hurricane Creek, Loggy Bayou,[Note 2] Sandy Creek, Rainbow Creek, Wolf Creek, which empties into Bayou Bartholomew shortly after entering Ashley County. Western Drew County drains into the Saline River watershed. Tributaries include Hudgens Creek, Lake Monticello/Hungry Run Creek, Langford Creek, Tenmile Creek, Clear Creek, and Brown Creek.[7] The portion of the Saline River forming the southwestern boundary of Drew County has also been designated as a Natural and Scenic Waterway by the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment.
Protected areas
Two state agencies own and maintain areas of natural and cultural value for enjoyment and use by residents and visitors of Drew County. Protected areas are located along the waterways on the county's eastern and western edges. Casey Jones Wildlife Management Area (WMA), a discontinuous series of parcels owned by timber companies and intensively managed for pine leased by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) to allow permit hunting, contains tracts on both sides of the county. On the east side of Drew County, AGFC also maintains Seven Devils Swamp WMA, known for waterfowl hunting, fishing, and deer hunting, within which a small portion is preserved by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) as Seven Devils Swamp Natural Area (NA). Similarly, AGFC maintains Cut-Off Creek WMA near Troy, popular with duck hunters but also used by turkey and black bear hunters, anglers, and paddlers using the Cut-Off Creek Water Trail. Within the WMA, ANHC maintains Cut-Off Creek Ravines NA and Thorney Brake NA. On the western side of Drew County, ANHC maintains Warren Prairie NA, with an interpretive trail passing through pine flatwoods, saline barrens, and salt licks rich with wildlife diversity and designated as an Important Bird Area.[8]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 3,276 | — | |
| 1860 | 9,078 | 177.1% | |
| 1870 | 9,960 | 9.7% | |
| 1880 | 12,231 | 22.8% | |
| 1890 | 17,352 | 41.9% | |
| 1900 | 19,451 | 12.1% | |
| 1910 | 21,960 | 12.9% | |
| 1920 | 21,822 | −0.6% | |
| 1930 | 19,928 | −8.7% | |
| 1940 | 19,831 | −0.5% | |
| 1950 | 17,959 | −9.4% | |
| 1960 | 15,213 | −15.3% | |
| 1970 | 15,157 | −0.4% | |
| 1980 | 17,910 | 18.2% | |
| 1990 | 17,369 | −3.0% | |
| 2000 | 18,723 | 7.8% | |
| 2010 | 18,509 | −1.1% | |
| 2020 | 17,350 | −6.3% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 16,935 | [9] | −2.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12] 1990–2000[13] 2010[14] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 17,350.[15] The median age was 38.4 years; 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.8 males age 18 and over.[15]
The racial makeup of the county was 65.1% White, 27.9% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.1% from some other race, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.8% of the population.[16]
About 46.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 54.0% lived in rural areas.[17]
There were 7,133 households in the county, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.1% were married-couple households, 19.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]
There were 8,259 housing units, of which 13.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.6% were owner-occupied and 35.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.9%.[15]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census,[18] there were 18,723 people, 7,337 households, and 5,091 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (8.9 people/km2). There were 8,287 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.30% White, 27.16% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,337 households, out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.30% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 26.00% of all households are made and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under the age of 18, 12.60% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,627, and the median income for a family was $37,317. Males had a median income of $30,794 versus $20,707 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,264. About 13.10% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.90% of those under age 18 and 21.80% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Government
The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of Arkansas and the Arkansas 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 Drew County Quorum Court has nine members. Presiding over quorum court meetings is the county judge, who serves as the chief operating 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.[19][20]
| Position | Officeholder | Party |
|---|---|---|
| County Judge | Jessie Griffin | Republican |
| County Clerk | Stephanie Chisom | Republican |
| Circuit Clerk | Beverly Burks | Independent |
| Sheriff | Tim Nichols | Independent |
| Treasurer | Charles Searcy | Republican |
| Collector | Tonya Loveless | Republican |
| Assessor | Cheri Adcock | Republican |
| Coroner | Charles Dearman Jr. | Republican |
The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 9 Republicans. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[24][25]
- District 1: Orlando Jones (R)
- District 2: Ben David Higginbotham (R)
- District 3: Roger Harris (R)
- District 4: Sheila Maxwell (R)
- District 5: Steven Pigott (R)
- District 6: Donna Harton Usry (R)
- District 7: Craig Kaminicki (R)
- District 8: Frank Appleberry (R)
- District 9: Zachary Hill (R)
Additionally, the townships of Drew County are entitled to elect their own respective constables, as set forth by the Constitution of Arkansas. Constables are largely of historical significance as they were used to keep the peace in rural areas when travel was more difficult.[26] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[25]
- Clear Creek: Jessica Moore (R)
- Collins: John W. Beatty (R)
- Cominto: Michael Frisby (R)
- Marion: John Kyle Day (R)
- Saline: Steve Sturgis (R)
- Veasey: Scott Chapman (R)
Politics
Since the late 20th century, conservative white voters of Drew County have favored GOP presidential candidates. The last Democrat at the presidential level (as of 2024) to carry this county was Vice President Al Gore in 2000, who was a son of the South from Tennessee.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1896 | 603 | 25.46% | 1,754 | 74.07% | 11 | 0.46% |
| 1900 | 569 | 33.77% | 1,099 | 65.22% | 17 | 1.01% |
| 1904 | 593 | 37.44% | 953 | 60.16% | 38 | 2.40% |
| 1908 | 679 | 36.54% | 1,123 | 60.44% | 56 | 3.01% |
| 1912 | 424 | 26.45% | 882 | 55.02% | 297 | 18.53% |
| 1916 | 838 | 34.00% | 1,627 | 66.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1920 | 773 | 35.17% | 1,397 | 63.56% | 28 | 1.27% |
| 1924 | 563 | 35.12% | 1,018 | 63.51% | 22 | 1.37% |
| 1928 | 500 | 25.56% | 1,452 | 74.23% | 4 | 0.20% |
| 1932 | 198 | 10.06% | 1,760 | 89.39% | 11 | 0.56% |
| 1936 | 70 | 5.38% | 1,229 | 94.47% | 2 | 0.15% |
| 1940 | 152 | 10.06% | 1,329 | 87.95% | 30 | 1.99% |
| 1944 | 320 | 18.92% | 1,370 | 81.02% | 1 | 0.06% |
| 1948 | 182 | 8.98% | 1,204 | 59.40% | 641 | 31.62% |
| 1952 | 1,040 | 31.46% | 2,261 | 68.39% | 5 | 0.15% |
| 1956 | 1,265 | 35.28% | 2,234 | 62.30% | 87 | 2.43% |
| 1960 | 889 | 26.36% | 2,107 | 62.49% | 376 | 11.15% |
| 1964 | 2,109 | 51.18% | 1,980 | 48.05% | 32 | 0.78% |
| 1968 | 1,040 | 22.27% | 1,324 | 28.35% | 2,307 | 49.39% |
| 1972 | 3,334 | 74.06% | 1,168 | 25.94% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,730 | 31.57% | 3,750 | 68.43% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 2,272 | 36.74% | 3,757 | 60.75% | 155 | 2.51% |
| 1984 | 3,407 | 56.10% | 2,638 | 43.44% | 28 | 0.46% |
| 1988 | 2,995 | 53.29% | 2,578 | 45.87% | 47 | 0.84% |
| 1992 | 1,938 | 30.77% | 3,748 | 59.51% | 612 | 9.72% |
| 1996 | 1,657 | 29.20% | 3,570 | 62.91% | 448 | 7.89% |
| 2000 | 2,756 | 46.54% | 3,060 | 51.67% | 106 | 1.79% |
| 2004 | 3,262 | 52.20% | 2,952 | 47.24% | 35 | 0.56% |
| 2008 | 3,860 | 58.40% | 2,598 | 39.30% | 152 | 2.30% |
| 2012 | 3,887 | 58.60% | 2,630 | 39.65% | 116 | 1.75% |
| 2016 | 3,968 | 60.17% | 2,365 | 35.86% | 262 | 3.97% |
| 2020 | 4,349 | 62.96% | 2,426 | 35.12% | 133 | 1.93% |
| 2024 | 4,203 | 66.03% | 2,050 | 32.21% | 112 | 1.76% |
Communities
Cities
- Monticello (county seat)
- Tillar (partly in Desha County)
- Wilmar
Towns
Townships
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 Drew County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [28][29]
- Bartholomew (contains Jerome)
- Bearhouse
- Clear Creek
- Collins
- Cominto
- Crook
- Franklin (contains part of Tillar)
- Live Oak (contains Winchester)
- Marion (contains Monticello)
- Saline (contains Wilmar)
- Spring Hill
- Veasey[30]
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