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Chicot County, Arkansas facts for kids

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Chicot County
U.S. county
Chicot County Courthouse in Lake Village
Chicot County Courthouse in Lake Village
Map of Arkansas highlighting Chicot County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Map of the United States highlighting Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Arkansas
Founded October 25, 1823
Seat Lake Village
Largest city Dermott
Area
 • Total 691 sq mi (1,790 km2)
 • Land 644 sq mi (1,670 km2)
 • Water 47 sq mi (120 km2)  6.7%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 10,208
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 9,538 Decrease
 • Density 14.773/sq mi (5.704/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Chicot County (/ˈʃiːkoʊ/ SHE-ko) is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,208. The county seat is Lake Village. Chicot County is Arkansas's 10th county, formed on October 25, 1823, and named after Point Chicot on the Mississippi River. It is part of the Arkansas Delta, lowlands along the river that have been historically important as an area for large-scale cotton cultivation. Landmarks around the county include Lake Chicot, North America's largest oxbow lake and Arkansas's largest natural lake; the site of Charles Lindbergh's first night-time flight; and the legendary burial site of Hernando De Soto, near Lake Village.

History

Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto came to this area with his expedition in 1542, settling for a time in the village or territory known as Guachoya. The European-American town of Lake Village later developed in the 19th century at Lake Chicot, formed by an oxbow of the Mississippi River. Eighteenth-century French colonists named it Chicot because of the many cypress trees in the waterways. The word is translated to "stumpy, or knobby".

The area along the Mississippi River and major tributaries was developed as cotton plantations, the major commodity crop before and after the American Civil War of 1861–1865. Enslaved African Americans formed the labor force, comprising a majority of the population in the antebellum years. Major large cotton plantations included Sunnyside (owned in the 20th century by LeRoy Percy, planter and US Senator from Greenville, Mississippi); Florence, Patria, Pastoria, Luna, and Lakeport.

On February 14, 1864, 13 Black Union soldiers of the 1st Mississippi Volunteer Infantry (African Descent) were ambushed and killed at the Tecumseh plantation near Ross's Landing by Confederate guerillas of the 9th Missouri Cavalry. Union and Confederate forces fought at the Battle of Old River Lake from June 5 to 6, 1864.

The population of the rural county has declined since its peak in 1940. Earlier in the century, boll weevils threatened the cotton crop, and many African Americans left in the Great Migration for opportunity in northern and midwestern industrial cities. In addition, mechanization of agriculture and consolidation into industrial-style farms has reduced the need for farm labor.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 691 square miles (1,790 km2), of which 644 square miles (1,670 km2) is land and 47 square miles (120 km2) (6.7%) is water.

Major highways

  • US 65.svg U.S. Highway 65
  • US 82.svg U.S. Highway 82
  • US 165.svg U.S. Highway 165
  • US 278.svg U.S. Highway 278
  • Arkansas 8.svg Highway 8
  • Arkansas 35.svg Highway 35
  • Arkansas 159.svg Highway 159
  • Arkansas 52.svg Highway 52

Arkansas 144

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1830 1,165 —
1840 3,806 226.7%
1850 5,115 34.4%
1860 9,234 80.5%
1870 7,214 −21.9%
1880 10,117 40.2%
1890 11,419 12.9%
1900 14,528 27.2%
1910 21,987 51.3%
1920 21,749 −1.1%
1930 22,646 4.1%
1940 27,452 21.2%
1950 22,306 −18.7%
1960 18,990 −14.9%
1970 18,164 −4.3%
1980 17,793 −2.0%
1990 15,713 −11.7%
2000 14,117 −10.2%
2010 11,800 −16.4%
2020 10,208 −13.5%
2023 (est.) 9,538 −19.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010
USA Chicot County, Arkansas age pyramid
Age pyramid Chicot County

2020 census

Chicot County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White 3,887 38.08%
Black or African American 5,387 52.77%
Native American 26 0.25%
Asian 38 0.37%
Pacific Islander 9 0.09%
Other/Mixed 280 2.74%
Hispanic or Latino 581 5.69%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 10,208 people, 4,068 households, and 2,636 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 11,800 people living in the county. 54.1% were Black or African American, 41.2% White, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 3.2% of some other race and 0.8 of two or more races. 4.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

  • Columbia
  • Eunice
  • Gaines Landing

Townships

Chicot County Arkansas 2010 Township Map large
Townships in Chicot 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 Chicot County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township.

Notable people

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Chicot para niños

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