Faulkner County, Arkansas


Faulkner County is a county located in the Central Arkansas region of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 123,498, making it the fifth most populous of Arkansas's 75 counties. The county seat and largest city is Conway. Faulkner County was created on April 12, 1873, one of nine counties formed during Reconstruction, and is named for Sandford C. Faulkner, better known as Sandy Faulkner, a popular figure in the state at the time.
Located at the intersection of the Ozarks and Arkansas River Valley, the county was sparsely populated for much of its early years. Largely a county of rural settlements, growth came slowly following the Civil War and Reconstruction. The college known today as University of Central Arkansas was established in 1907, but population continued to grow slowly. The growth of Little Rock and the construction of Interstate 40 have made Conway and other parts of Faulkner County into bedroom communities for the state capital. Today Faulkner County is included in the Central Arkansas metro area, with Conway as a principal city.

History

Eponym

Faulkner County was formed from parts of Conway and Pulaski counties on April 12, 1873, and is named after Sandford C. Faulkner, a planter, raconteur, and fiddle player known for his popular folk tale Arkansas Traveler from the early-19th century. The story later was performed by Mose Case in the mid-19th century as a folk song "Arkansas Traveler", the official historic song of the U.S. state of Arkansas since 1987.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Major highways

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 123,498. The median age was 34.5 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.6 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 76.2% White, 11.6% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.7% from some other race, and 7.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.5% of the population.
53.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 46.1% lived in rural areas.
There were 47,622 households in the county, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.4% were married-couple households, 18.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 51,685 housing units, of which 7.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 62.7% were owner-occupied and 37.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 86,014 people, 31,882 households, and 22,444 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 34,546 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 88.33% White, 8.48% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 1.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 31,882 households, out of which 35.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.90% 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 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.60% under the age of 18, 15.30% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 19.50% from 45 to 64, and 9.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,204, and the median income for a family was $45,946. Males had a median income of $32,288 versus $24,428 for females. The per capita income for the county was $35,159. About 7.90% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.90% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

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 Faulkner County Quorum Court has thirteen members. Presiding over quorum court meetings is the county judge, who serves as the chief executive 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.
PositionOfficeholderParty
County JudgeAllen DodsonRepublican
County ClerkMargaret DarterRepublican
Circuit ClerkNancy EasthamRepublican
SheriffTim RyalsRepublican
TreasurerScott SansonRepublican
Tax CollectorSherry KoonceRepublican
Tax AssessorKrissy LewisRepublican
CoronerJessica Thorn

The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 11 Republicans and 2 Democrats. Justices of the Peace of the Quorum Court following the elections are:
  • District 1: Justin Knight
  • District 2: Maree Coats
  • District 3: John Allison III
  • District 4: Samuel Strain
  • District 5: Jonny Tyler
  • District 6: Tyler Lachowsky
  • District 7: Tyler Pearson
  • District 8: Jason Lyon
  • District 9: Kris Kendrick
  • District 10: Andy Shock
  • District 11: Joyia Yorgey
  • District 12: David Meeks
  • District 13: Jake Moss
Additionally, the townships of Faulkner 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.
The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:
  • Cadron: Earl David Hall
  • Cypress: Gary Adams
  • Danley: Mark Kolody
  • Hardin: Howard Hall
  • Matthews: James D. Freeman
  • Wilson: Terry L. Jones

    Politics

Over the past few election cycles Faulkner county has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat to carry this county was Arkansas native Bill Clinton in 1996.

Education

Public education

Publicly funded education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by:
Privately funded education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by:

Cities

  • Conway
  • Greenbrier
  • Guy
  • Holland
  • Mayflower
  • Quitman
  • Vilonia

    Towns

  • Damascus
  • Enders
  • Enola
  • Mount Vernon
  • Twin Groves
  • Wooster

    Townships

  • Benedict
  • Benton
  • Bristol
  • Cadron
  • California
  • Clifton
  • Cypress
  • Danley
  • Eagle
  • East Fork
  • Enola
  • Hardin
  • Harve
  • Matthews
  • Mountain
  • Mount Vernon
  • Newton
  • Palarm
  • Pine Mountain
  • Union
  • Walker
  • Wilson, includes Cato, Arkansas
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