Montgomery County, Arkansas

Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,484.[1] The county seat is Mount Ida.[2] Montgomery County is Arkansas's 45th county, formed on December 9, 1842, and named after Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general.[3]

Montgomery County
County
Eagle Rock Vista
Montgomery County Courthouse
Norman Public Library
Little Missouri River
Quartz
Clockwise from top: Eagle Rock Vista in the Ouachita Mountains, the Norman Public Library, Quartz from a Montgomery County mine, the Little Missouri River, and the Montgomery County Courthouse in Mount Ida
Map of Arkansas highlighting Montgomery County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Map of the United States highlighting Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°32′08″N 93°39′52″W
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedDecember 9, 1842
Named forRichard Montgomery
SeatMount Ida
Largest cityMount Ida
Area
 • Total800 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Land780 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Water20 sq mi (50 km2)  2.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total8,484
 • Density11/sq mi (4.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitemontgomerycounty.arkansas.gov

History

Stone spear and dart points found in the area verify that people from the Dalton Culture were present in Montgomery County around 8500 BC. Early signs of houses and American Indian cemeteries are present in and around Caddo Gap, Arkansas, indicating the definite presence of the Caddo Indians having settled in the area in the 13th century and 14th century. In 1541, the explorer Hernando de Soto fought the Tula Indians at Caddo Gap, and he was injured during that battle.[4]

The first white settlers arrived in 1812, when Martin and Mary Collier settled what is now Caddo Gap. They befriended the local tribes, and seemingly had no problems from them whatsoever. Granville Whittington arrived in 1835, and built a road that led from Hot Springs, Arkansas to his farm about a mile north of the settlement of Montgomery. By 1836 when Arkansas received statehood, most of the native Indians were gone. Some of the native Indian women had intermingled and intermarried with local white settlers. Whittington opened a general store that drew customers from the surrounding area, and in 1842 he opened the Mount Ida Post Office in Mount Ida. West of the Ouachita River, settlers from a wagon train wintered in what is now Oden, and decided to stay when the weather cleared. Montgomery County was named after General Richard Montgomery, an American general who died during the American Revolution.

Originally part of the Louisiana Purchase, it was first claimed by Spain, then France, and in 1813 was part of Arkansas County, then in 1818 was part of Clark County. On December 9, 1842, Montgomery County became its own county, with Montgomery as its county seat. In 1850 Salem became the county seat, but later that same year the county seat changed again, to Mount Ida, where Whittington's Post Office was located. Mount Ida incorporated in 1854.

Civil War era

When the Civil War broke out, most of Montgomery County favored the Confederacy. Mount Ida settlers John Lavender and John Simpson formed one company to serve in the Confederate Army, and the 4th Arkansas Infantry originated in Mount Ida also, but after the war few from the company organized by Lavender and Simpson returned to Montgomery County. With mostly women left to tend to the farms, soldiers from both the Confederate and the Union Army raided homes and farms for supplies, leaving settlers with little to eat. After the war, soldiers from both armies settled in the area, building schools and homes. In 1884 Oden built a steam saw, a cotton gin and a gristmill.

Up to modern times

With the arrival of the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Caddo Gap around the turn of the 20th century, Caddo Gap and Black Springs began to thrive. In 1910 the county population reached its peak, with sawmills springing up in several locations. That same year, the town of Womble was settled. It changed its name to Norman in 1925. In 1918 the logging camp of Mauldin, Arkansas sprang up, and a railroad line was built to it from Norman. However, almost overnight in 1936, Mauldin closed up, dismantled everything, and moved on having depleted the virgin timber in the area. This, combined with the Great Depression, had a devastating effect on the county.

Many people moved away to find work elsewhere, while others found employment with the Civilian Conservation Corps. During World War II, people continued to leave Montgomery County, with the men going off to war, and others leaving to find employment in war plants. Mining became one source of local employment for a time, but did not last. Most mines were due to a large abundance of quartz in the county. In 1922 there were eighty three school districts in Montgomery County. Today there are three, Caddo Hills, Mount Ida, and Ouachita River. Cattle, swine, and poultry are now the main areas of employment in the region.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 800 square miles (2,100 km2), of which 780 square miles (2,000 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (2.6%) is water.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18501,958—
18603,63385.5%
18702,984−17.9%
18805,72992.0%
18907,92338.3%
19009,44419.2%
191012,45531.9%
192011,112−10.8%
193010,768−3.1%
19408,876−17.6%
19506,680−24.7%
19605,370−19.6%
19705,8218.4%
19807,77133.5%
19907,8410.9%
20009,24517.9%
20109,4872.6%
20208,484−10.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10]
Age pyramid Montgomery County[11]

2020 census
Montgomery County racial composition[12]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 7,499 88.39%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 13 0.15%
Native American 92 1.08%
Asian 47 0.55%
Pacific Islander 5 0.06%
Other/Mixed 413 4.87%
Hispanic or Latino 415 4.89%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,484 people, 3,754 households, and 2,563 families residing in the county.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[13] there were 9,245 people, 3,785 households, and 2,747 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 5,048 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.42% White, 0.29% Black or African American, 1.11% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.56% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 2.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,785 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.60% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 26.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,421, and the median income for a family was $32,769. Males had a median income of $25,865 versus $18,063 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,668. About 13.00% of families and 17.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.50% of those under age 18 and 16.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Over the past few election cycles Montgomery County has trended heavily towards the GOP. The last Democrat (as of 2020) to carry this county was Bill Clinton in 1996.

United States presidential election results for Montgomery County, Arkansas[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,046 78.65% 731 18.87% 96 2.48%
2016 2,643 74.26% 748 21.02% 168 4.72%
2012 2,369 69.59% 920 27.03% 115 3.38%
2008 2,365 65.30% 1,092 30.15% 165 4.56%
2004 2,367 59.80% 1,524 38.50% 67 1.69%
2000 2,128 56.91% 1,438 38.46% 173 4.63%
1996 1,137 32.86% 1,830 52.89% 493 14.25%
1992 1,205 32.46% 1,904 51.29% 603 16.24%
1988 1,752 55.99% 1,362 43.53% 15 0.48%
1984 2,221 59.12% 1,497 39.85% 39 1.04%
1980 1,585 43.88% 1,878 51.99% 149 4.13%
1976 924 27.63% 2,420 72.37% 0 0.00%
1972 1,555 68.17% 688 30.16% 38 1.67%
1968 885 35.04% 649 25.69% 992 39.27%
1964 832 37.78% 1,358 61.67% 12 0.54%
1960 836 49.85% 788 46.99% 53 3.16%
1956 965 52.76% 846 46.25% 18 0.98%
1952 815 50.25% 807 49.75% 0 0.00%
1948 236 18.99% 935 75.22% 72 5.79%
1944 349 37.77% 573 62.01% 2 0.22%
1940 400 28.23% 1,012 71.42% 5 0.35%
1936 465 30.61% 1,034 68.07% 20 1.32%
1932 211 12.13% 1,495 85.97% 33 1.90%
1928 976 56.91% 726 42.33% 13 0.76%
1924 360 40.82% 431 48.87% 91 10.32%
1920 615 54.96% 430 38.43% 74 6.61%
1916 432 31.51% 939 68.49% 0 0.00%
1912 221 21.44% 471 45.68% 339 32.88%
1908 522 43.98% 553 46.59% 112 9.44%
1904 491 56.50% 342 39.36% 36 4.14%
1900 293 38.15% 468 60.94% 7 0.91%
1896 220 17.92% 1,008 82.08% 0 0.00%

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Townships
Townships in Montgomery County, Arkansas as of 2010

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 Montgomery County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [15][16]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Montgomery County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Montgomery County", Local.Arkansas.gov
  4. Carter, Cecile Elkins. Caddo Indians: Where We Come From. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2001: 21. ISBN 0-8061-3318-X
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  11. Based on 2000 census data
  12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  15. 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Montgomery County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  16. "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps – County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
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