Clark County

As of the 2020 Census, Clark County, Arkansas had a population of approximately 21,446 people. The racial composition was 69.5% White, 23.3% Black or African American, 2.2% Hispanic or Latino, 1.2% Asian, and 3.8% from two or more races. The median household income was around $38,517, with a poverty rate of 21.3%. The county spans 883 square miles, with a population density of about 24.3 people per square mile. Key educational institutions include Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University.

Clark County, AR has a median home value of approximately $92,300. The median rent is around $624 per month. About 65% of housing units are owner-occupied, while 35% are rented. The vacancy rate for housing units stands at roughly 15%. The county has a mix of single-family homes, mobile homes, and apartments. Housing costs are relatively lower compared to national averages, making it an affordable place to live.

Clark County, Arkansas, participates in federal, state, and local elections. As of the latest available data, the county has approximately 16,000 registered voters. In recent county elections, candidates have run for various positions such as County Judge, County Clerk, Sheriff, and Circuit Clerk.

For the 2022 elections, major candidates included:

• County Judge: Troy Tucker (incumbent) and challenger Sammy Mathis.
• Sheriff: Jason Watson (incumbent) and challenger Willie Hickman.
• County Clerk: Cindy Blackwell (incumbent) and challenger James Williams.

Voter turnout in the last general election was around 55%, reflecting active civic engagement. Clark County typically leans Republican, aligning with broader state trends, but local races often feature competitive contests between parties.

As of recent data, Clark County, AR has noticeable education statistics:

• High School Diploma or Higher: Approximately 86.4% of residents aged 25+ have attained at least a high school diploma, compared to the national average of around 88% and the Arkansas state average of about 86.6%.

• Bachelor's Degree or Higher: Approximately 20.5% of residents aged 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of around 33.1% and the Arkansas state average of about 23.3%.

• Educational Institutions: The county hosts Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University, contributing to higher education in the region.

Overall, Clark County's educational attainment is slightly below national averages but fairly on par with state averages.

Clark County, AR has a workforce of around 9,000 people. Key industries include education, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. The educational sector, driven by institutions like Henderson State University, employs around 20% of the local workforce. Healthcare and social assistance account for roughly 15%, retail trade 13%, and manufacturing 12%.

Clark County's employment distribution contrasts with state and national averages. In Arkansas, the top industries include healthcare (15%), retail (12%), and manufacturing (13%), similar to county trends but with a more significant impact statewide and nationally. Nationally, healthcare employs about 14% of the workforce, retail 12%, and manufacturing 8%, reflecting less reliance on manufacturing compared to Clark County.

Clark County’s unemployment rate hovers around 4.5%, aligning closely with Arkansas' 4.4% but lower than the national average of 5.2%. The county’s economic focus on education and manufacturing diverges from broader state and national industry weightings.

As of the latest data, the median household income in Clark County, AR, is approximately $39,000. This is significantly lower than both the national median household income, which stands at around $68,700, and the state of Arkansas' median household income of approximately $48,900.

Clark County faces economic challenges compared to broader state and national metrics, indicating a relative need for economic development and job growth initiatives.

As of recent data, Clark County, AR has a moderate crime rate compared to national averages. The crime rate per 1,000 residents is approximately 27. This includes both violent and property crimes.

Here is a breakdown of crime statistics:

This data provides an overview of safety in the area, highlighting property crimes as more prevalent than violent crimes.