Faulkner County is a county located in the Central Arkansas region of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 113,237, making it the fifth most populous of Arkansas's seventy-five 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 Arkansas Militia Colonel 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. A 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 capitol. 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 Colonel Sanford C. 'Sandy' Faulkner who was the composer of the popular fiddle tune "The Arkansas Traveler".
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 664 square miles (1,720Â km2), of which 648 square miles (1,680Â km2) is land and 16 square miles (41Â km2) (2.4%) is water.
Major highways
- Interstate 40
- U.S. Highway 64
- U.S. Highway 65
- Highway 25
- Highway 36
- Highway 60
- Highway 89
Adjacent counties
- Cleburne County (northeast)
- White County (east)
- Lonoke County (southeast)
- Pulaski County (south)
- Perry County (southwest)
- Conway County (west)
- Van Buren County (northwest)
Demographics
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 133 people per square mile (51/km²). There were 34,546 housing units at an average density of 53 per square mile (21/km²). 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 $17,988. 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
Education
Public education
Publicly funded education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by:
- Conway School District, which includes Conway High School, Conway
- Greenbrier School District, which includes Greenbrier High School, Greenbrier
- Guyâ€"Perkins School District, which includes Guyâ€"Perkins High School, Guy
- Mayflower School District, which includes Mayflower High School, Mayflower
- Mount Vernonâ€"Enola School District, which includes Mount Vernonâ€"Enola High School, Mount Vernon
- Vilonia School District, which includes Vilonia High School, Vilonia
Private education
Privately funded education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by:
- St. Joseph High School, Conway
- Conway Christian School (Conway, Arkansas)
Communities
Cities
- Conway
- Greenbrier
- Guy
- Holland
- Mayflower
- Quitman
- Vilonia
Towns
- Damascus
- Enola
- Mount Vernon
- Twin Groves
- Wooster
Townships
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 Faulkner County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township.
Source:
See also
- Faulconer County
- List of lakes in Faulkner County, Arkansas
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Faulkner County, Arkansas
- David J. Sanders, state senator who represents part of Faulkner County
- David Meeks and Stephen Meeks, Republican brothers from Faulkner County who represent Districts 70 and 67, respectively in the Arkansas House of Representatives
References
External links
- 10th Arkansas Infantry, Local Regiment During the Civil War
- Independent Living Services provides support for over 200 people with developmental disabilities in central Arkansas.
- Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, based in Conway, is the state's only professional Shakespeare company.