Izard County, Arkansas


Izard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,577. The county seat is Melbourne. Izard County is Arkansas's 13th county, formed on October 27, 1825, and named for War of 1812 General and Arkansas Territorial Governor George Izard. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

Geography

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

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 13,577. The median age was 48.1 years. 17.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 26.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 110.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 112.8 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 90.6% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.9% from some other race, and 5.6% from two or more races. Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino] residents of any race comprised 2.4% of the population.
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 5,494 households in the county, of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.8% were married-couple households, 19.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 6,721 housing units, of which 18.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.6% were owner-occupied and 21.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.8%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 13,249 people, 5,440 households, and 3,769 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 6,591 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 96.41% White, 1.44% Black or African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,440 households, out of which 25.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.90% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 21.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 102.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,670, and the median income for a family was $32,313. Males had a median income of $22,389 versus $18,450 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,397. About 13.60% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 13.70% 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 Izard County Quorum Court has nine 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 JudgeEric SmithRepublican
County/Circuit ClerkJoe CooperRepublican
SheriffCharley MeltonRepublican
TreasurerWarren SandersRepublican
CollectorJoshua MoreheadRepublican
AssessorTammy SandersRepublican
CoronerEddie HowardRepublican

The composition of the Quorum Court after the 2024 elections is 8 Republicans and 1 Independent. Justices of the Peace of the Quorum Court following the elections are:
  • District 1: Mark Simino
  • District 2: Kelly Hatman
  • District 3: Randy "Hank" Sherrell
  • District 4: Frances L. Syce
  • District 5: John David Miller
  • District 6: Justin Thornton
  • District 7: Quillen P. Edwards
  • District 8: Doug Harber
  • District 9: Richard "Rich" Emmens
Additionally, the townships of Izard 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:
  • Jefferson: Kent Andrews
  • New Hope: Brett Stevenson
  • Pleasant Hill: John Mark Rogers
  • Strawberry: Ian Ward
  • Union: Mark A. Stephen

Politics

Over the past few election cycles Izard County has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat to carry this county was Al Gore in 2000.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

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Notable people