Chicot County, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chicot County
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Chicot County Courthouse in Lake Village
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Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
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 Arkansas's location within the U.S. |
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| 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
(2010)
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| • Total | 11,800 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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10,118 |
| • Density | 17.08/sq mi (6.59/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
Chicot County ( SHE-ko) is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 11,800. 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.
Also notably the center of a nationally recognized court battle over property rights. Wier vs United States resulted in a 950-acre farms liquidation for unpaid fines levied against a rice farmer (James Wier) for exceeding his yearly planting quota. Wier ultimately lost his legal battle and his 950-acre property. To this day one of the most controversial legal battles in the nation's history.
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.
Contents
History
Prior to the American Civil War of 1861-1865, the county was home to several large cotton plantations: Sunnyside (owned in the 20th century by LeRoy Percy, planter and US Senator from Greenville, Mississippi); Florence, Patria, Pastoria, Luna, and Lakeport.
During the war, Union and Confederate forces fought at the Battle of Old River Lake from June 5 to June 6, 1864.
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
U.S. Highway 65
U.S. Highway 82
U.S. Highway 165
U.S. Highway 278
Highway 8
Highway 35
Highway 159
Highway 52
Adjacent counties
- Desha County (north)
- Washington County, Mississippi (east)
- Issaquena County, Mississippi (southeast)
- East Carroll Parish, Louisiana (south)
- West Carroll Parish, Louisiana (southwest)
- Ashley County (west)
- Drew County (northwest)
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% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 10,118 | −14.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2016 |
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2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
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| 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
- Dermott
- Eudora
- Lake Village (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
Ghost town
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 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.
- Bowie (Dermott)
- Carlton (Lake Village)
- Planters (Eudora)
Notable people
- Larry D. Alexander- Visual artist, writer, Bible teacher
- Jim Cain - American player of gridiron football
- Ruby Grant Martin - lawyer, federal civil rights official
- Robert L. Hill - founder of the Progressive Farmers and Household Union of America
- Mark D. McElroy - State representative for Chicot County since 2013; resides in Desha County
- Lycurgus Johnson, the owner of the Lakeport Plantation, later a state congressman.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Chicot para niños
