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Sebastian County, Arkansas

Coordinates: 35°35′39″N 94°15′29″W / 35.59417°N 94.25806°W / 35.59417; -94.25806
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Sebastian County
County
The Sebastian County Courthouse in Ft. Smith
The Sebastian County Courthouse in Ft. Smith
Map of Arkansas highlighting Sebastian County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Map of the United States highlighting Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°35′39″N 94°15′29″W / 35.5942°N 94.2581°W / 35.5942; -94.2581
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedJanuary 6, 1851
Named afterWilliam K. Sebastian
SeatFort Smith (northern district);
Greenwood (southern district)
Largest cityFort Smith
Area
 • Total
546 sq mi (1,410 km2)
 • Land532 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  2.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
127,799
 • Estimate 
(2023)
129,098 Increase
 • Density230/sq mi (90/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts3rd, 4th
Websitewww.sebastiancountyar.gov

Sebastian County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 127,799,[1] making it the fourth-most populous county in Arkansas. The county has two county seats, Greenwood and Fort Smith.[2]

Sebastian County is part of the Fort Smith, AR-OK Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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Sebastian County is Arkansas's 56th county, formed on January 6, 1851, and named for William K. Sebastian , United States Senator from Arkansas.[3]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 546 square miles (1,410 km2), of which 532 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (2.6%) is water.[4] It is the second-smallest county by area in Arkansas.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18609,238—
187012,94040.1%
188019,56051.2%
189033,20069.7%
190036,93511.3%
191052,27841.5%
192056,7398.5%
193054,426−4.1%
194062,80915.4%
195064,2022.2%
196066,6853.9%
197079,23718.8%
198095,17220.1%
199099,5904.6%
2000115,07115.5%
2010125,7449.3%
2020127,7991.6%
2023 (est.)129,098[5]1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10]
Age pyramid Sebastian County[11]

2020 census

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Sebastian County racial composition[12]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 82,785 64.78%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 7,891 6.17%
Native American 2,379 1.86%
Asian 5,700 4.46%
Pacific Islander 91 0.07%
Other/Mixed 9,625 7.53%
Hispanic or Latino 19,328 15.12%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 127,799 people, 51,384 households, and 32,517 families residing in the county.

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census,[13] there were 115,071 people, 45,300 households, and 30,713 families residing in the county. The population density was 215 inhabitants per square mile (83/km2). There were 49,311 housing units at an average density of 92 per square mile (36/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.34% White, 6.16% Black or African American, 1.57% Native American, 3.51% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.71% from other races, and 2.67% from two or more races. 6.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.6% were of American, 12.9099999996% German, 11.0% Irish and 9.0% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 5.49% reported speaking Spanish at home, while 1.47% speak Vietnamese and 0.97% Lao.[14]

In 2000 there were 45,300 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,889, and the median income for a family was $41,303. Males had a median income of $30,056 versus $22,191 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,424. About 10.40% of families and 13.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.60% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2010 census the population of Sebastian County was 125,744. The racial makeup of the county was 72.83% Non-Hispanic white, 6.24% Non-Hispanic black, 1.88% Native American, 4.06% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.07% Non-Hispanics of some other race, 2.78% Non-Hispanics reporting two or more races and 12.82% Hispanics.

Government

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Government

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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 Sebastian County Quorum Court has thirteen 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.[15][16]

Sebastian County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials[17][18]
Position Officeholder Party
County Judge Steve Hotz Republican
County Clerk Sharon Brooks Republican
Circuit Clerk Susie Hassett Republican
Sheriff Hobe Runion Republican
Treasurer/Collector Lora Rice Republican
Assessor Zack Johnson Republican
Coroner Kenny Hobbs Republican

The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 9 Republicans and 4 Democrats. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:[17][19][20]

  • District 1: Johnny Hobbs (R)
  • District 2: Jackie Davis (R)
  • District 3: Shawn Looper (R)
  • District 4: James W. Butler (R)
  • District 5: John Spradlin (R)
  • District 6: Danny Wayne Aldridge (R)
  • District 7: Kenneth Williamson (R)
  • District 8: Valeria J. Robinson (D)
  • District 9: Rhonda Royal (D)
  • District 10: Dickie Robertson (D)
  • District 11: Jerry Ward (D)
  • District 12: Tommy Camp (R)
  • District 13: Lorrie A. Runion (R)

Additionally, the townships of Sebastian 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.[21] The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:[19]

  • District 1: Charlie Carpenter (R)
  • District 2: Steve Wiley (R)
  • District 4: William Justin Hayes (R)
  • Upper Township: Paul Foley (R)

Politics

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Whereas most of Arkansas was overwhelmingly blue up to the mid-2000s, Sebastian has been a solidly Republican county at the presidential level since Dwight Eisenhower won it in 1952. Since that election, no Democrat has ever again carried this county, though native son Bill Clinton came within less than 1,000 votes of doing so during both of his campaigns. Jimmy Carter is the only other Democrat to come reasonably close to winning the county. However, Democrats continued to split most local offices and state legislative seats with Republicans well into the 1990s. While Fort Smith has elected Democratic mayors and still elects some Democrats to the state legislature, the rest of the county is powerfully Republican.

United States presidential election results for Sebastian County, Arkansas[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 30,719 67.59% 13,652 30.04% 1,081 2.38%
2020 31,198 66.18% 14,487 30.73% 1,455 3.09%
2016 29,127 65.25% 12,300 27.56% 3,210 7.19%
2012 29,169 67.27% 13,092 30.19% 1,101 2.54%
2008 28,637 66.27% 13,673 31.64% 902 2.09%
2004 27,303 61.76% 16,479 37.27% 429 0.97%
2000 23,483 58.48% 15,555 38.73% 1,121 2.79%
1996 16,482 46.63% 15,514 43.89% 3,350 9.48%
1992 16,817 42.40% 16,570 41.78% 6,272 15.81%
1988 24,426 70.94% 9,684 28.13% 322 0.94%
1984 27,595 74.95% 8,688 23.60% 534 1.45%
1980 23,403 63.46% 10,141 27.50% 3,335 9.04%
1976 17,671 52.79% 15,768 47.11% 34 0.10%
1972 25,219 81.23% 5,770 18.58% 58 0.19%
1968 12,073 44.65% 6,320 23.37% 8,649 31.98%
1964 13,110 55.80% 10,299 43.84% 84 0.36%
1960 11,744 56.75% 8,726 42.16% 226 1.09%
1956 10,234 57.36% 7,489 41.98% 118 0.66%
1952 10,114 56.36% 7,802 43.48% 28 0.16%
1948 2,928 33.09% 5,075 57.36% 845 9.55%
1944 3,452 36.46% 6,008 63.46% 7 0.07%
1940 1,968 27.16% 5,249 72.44% 29 0.40%
1936 1,161 20.30% 4,539 79.35% 20 0.35%
1932 1,268 20.26% 4,937 78.87% 55 0.88%
1928 3,465 51.84% 3,186 47.67% 33 0.49%
1924 1,985 33.13% 3,148 52.54% 859 14.34%
1920 3,492 46.03% 3,852 50.78% 242 3.19%
1916 1,366 26.86% 3,719 73.14% 0 0.00%
1912 514 12.53% 2,396 58.40% 1,193 29.08%
1908 2,050 35.73% 3,035 52.90% 652 11.36%
1904 1,254 38.16% 1,645 50.06% 387 11.78%
1900 964 31.21% 2,094 67.79% 31 1.00%
1896 1,009 27.57% 2,622 71.64% 29 0.79%
1892 1,558 34.71% 2,692 59.97% 239 5.32%

Education

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Public education is provided by several school districts (listed below from largest to smallest):

Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Townships

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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 Sebastian County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [23][24]

Notable people

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See also: Fort Smith, Arkansas § Notable people

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Sebastian County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Profile for Sebastian County, Arkansas, AR". ePodunk. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  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. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  11. ^ Based on 2000 census data
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  14. ^ "Language Map Data Center". Mla.org. July 17, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  15. ^ "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  16. ^ "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  17. ^ a b "Sebastian County Government > Departments > Elected Officials Listing". www.sebastiancountyar.gov. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  18. ^ https://www.arcounties.org/site/assets/files/6033/november_races.pdf
  19. ^ a b "Sebastian County, Arkansas, elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  20. ^ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  21. ^ "What is a Constable?". What is a Constable?. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  22. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  23. ^ 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Sebastian County, AR (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  24. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  25. ^ "Arkansas Governor John Sebastian Little". National Governors Association. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  26. ^ "Mathew W. Pitsch". arkansashouse.org. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
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35°35′39″N 94°15′29″W / 35.59417°N 94.25806°W / 35.59417; -94.25806

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