Hempstead County, Arkansas
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Hempstead County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population is 23,587. The county seat is Hope. Hempstead County was formed on December 15, 1818 and named for Edward Hempstead, a Missouri Territory delegate to the U. S. Congress. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,920 km² (741 mi²). 1,888 km² (729 mi²) of it is land and 33 km² (13 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.70% water. Hempstead County is located in *South Arkansas.
Adjacent counties
- Pike County (north)
- Nevada County (east)
- Lafayette County (south)
- Miller County (southwest)
- Little River County & Sevier County (west)
- Howard County (northwest)
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 23,587 people, 8,959 households, and 6,378 families residing in the county. The population density was 12/km² (32/mi²). There were 10,166 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (14/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 63.28% White, 30.36% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. 8.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,959 households out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples living together, 15.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,622, and the median income for a family was $34,082. Males had a median income of $25,830 versus $17,383 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,103. 20.30% of the population and 16.00% of families were below the poverty line. 29.20% of those under the age of 18 and 16.70% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
