Hempstead County, Arkansas


Hempstead County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,065, down from 22,609 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Hope. Hempstead County is Arkansas's fourth county, formed on December 15, 1818, alongside Clark and Pulaski counties. The county is named for Edward Hempstead, a delegate to the U.S. Congress from the Missouri Territory, which included present-day Arkansas at the time. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.
The 42nd United States President, Bill Clinton, who served from 1993 to 2001, was born in the county seat of Hope on August 19, 1946. As of 2026, Clinton is the only President to have been born in Arkansas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. Hempstead County is alternately considered as part of the greater regions of South Arkansas or Southwest Arkansas.

Major highways

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 20,065. The median age was 40.3 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.9 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 54.9% White, 28.3% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, less than 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 8.9% from some other race, and 6.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 14.7% of the population.
44.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 55.9% lived in rural areas.
There were 7,992 households in the county, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.2% were married-couple households, 19.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 9,601 housing units, of which 16.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.3% were owner-occupied and 32.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.2%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 23,587 people, 8,959 households, and 6,378 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 10,178 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 63.28% White, 30.36% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. 8.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,959 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples living together, 15.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.30% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,622, and the median income for a family was $34,082. Males had a median income of $25,830 versus $17,383 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,103. About 16.00% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.20% of those under age 18 and 16.70% 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 Hempstead County Quorum Court has eleven 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.
PositionOfficeholderParty
County JudgeJerry T. CraneRepublican
County ClerkKaren SmithRepublican
Circuit ClerkGail WolfengargerDemocratic
Sheriff/CollectorJames SingletonDemocratic
TreasurerJudy Lee FlowersDemocratic
AssessorRenee GilbertRepublican
CoronerDavid W. PetersRepublican

The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 7 Republicans and 3 Democrats, with one seat vacant due to no filings. Justices of the Peace of the Quorum Court following the elections are:
  • District 1: James Griffin of Hope
  • District 2:
  • District 3: Doris Brown of Hope
  • District 4: Ed B. Darling of Hope
  • District 5: Victor Ford
  • District 6: Troy K. Lerew of Hope
  • District 7: Steve Atchley of Hope
  • District 8: C. David Clayton of Hope
  • District 9: Jessie Henry
  • District 10: Jay Lathrop of Nashville
  • District 11: B. Keith Steed
Additionally, the townships of Hempstead 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:
  • Bodcaw: David Keith Cummings
  • Bois D'Arc: Maurice Henry
  • Deroan: Reyn Brown
  • Garland: Randall Hatfield
  • Ozan: Becky Medlen-Billings
  • Spring Hill: Jimmy F. Singleton
  • Wallaceburg: Thomas Luke Everett
  • Watercreek: Frankie Ingersoll

    Politics

Starting in 2008, voters of Hempstead County have shifted to the political right in US presidential elections. That said, the city of Hope is still very Democratic as of the 2024 election.

Communities

Cities