Editing Ashley County, Arkansas

{{short description|County in Arkansas, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county        = Ashley County
 | state              = Arkansas
 | seal = Ashley County Seal.png
 | ex image             = Ashley county courthouse 001.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Ashley County Courthouse in Hamburg
 | ex image size        = 250px
 | founded year         = 1848
 | founded date    = November 30
 | seat wl             = Hamburg
 | largest city wl    = Crossett
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 939.08<ref name="area">{{ cite map |title= Arkansas County Polygons |publisher= Arkansas GIS Office |author1= [[Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department]] in cooperation with the [[U.S. Department of Transportation]] |date= October 16, 2014 |url= http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgis.arkansas.gov%2Farcgis%2Frest%2Fservices%2FFEATURESERVICES%2FBoundaries%2FFeatureServer%2F8&source=sd |format=SHP file |access-date= March 20, 2019 }}</ref>
 | area_total_km2       = 1511.3
 | area_land_km2        = 1482.5
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 921.1 
 | area_water_km2       = 28.9
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 17.9
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 19062
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 18262 {{loss}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone           = Central
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = https://www.ashleycountyar.com
 | named for= [[Chester Ashley]]
 | district             = 4th }}

'''Ashley County''' is a rural [[South Arkansas]] county with a culture, economy, and history based on timber and agriculture. Created as Arkansas's 52nd county on November 30, 1848, Ashley County has seven incorporated [[municipality|municipalities]], including [[Hamburg, Arkansas|Hamburg]], the [[county seat]] and [[Crossett, Arkansas|Crossett]], the most populous city. The county is also the site of numerous [[unincorporated communities]] and [[ghost town]]s. The [[County (United States)|county]] is named for [[Chester Ashley]], a prominent lawyer in the [[Arkansas Territory]] and U.S. senator from the state from 1844 to 1848.

The county is roughly divided into two halves by [[Bayou Bartholomew]], with the rich, fertile, alluvial soils of the Arkansas Delta in the east, and the [[shortleaf pine]] forests of the [[Arkansas Timberlands]] in the west. The county contains six protected areas: [[Overflow National Wildlife Refuge]], [[Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge]], three [[List of Arkansas Wildlife Management Areas|Wildlife Management Areas]] and the [[Crossett Experimental Forest]]. Other historical features such as log cabins, one-room school houses, community centers, and museums describe the history and culture of Ashley County.

Ashley County occupies {{convert|939.08|sqmi|ha}} and contained a population of 19,062 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Ashley_County,_Arkansas?g=0500000US05003|title=Census - Geography Profile: Ashley County, Arkansas|access-date=January 19, 2023}}</ref> The economy is largely based on agriculture and small manufacturing. Poverty and unemployment rates are above national averages, but steady. Household incomes are below state and national averages.

Ashley County is mostly served by two school districts, [[Hamburg School District (Arkansas)|Hamburg School District]] and [[Crossett School District]]. Higher education is provided at [[University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology—Crossett]], a public two-year community college in Crossett. [[Ashley County Medical Center]] in Crossett is a [[community hospital]] providing [[primary care]] in the county. Although no [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate highways]] serve Ashley County, the county has access to three [[United States Numbered Highways|United States highways]] ([[U.S. Route 82]] [US 82], [[U.S. Route 165 in Arkansas|US 165]], and [[U.S. Route 425 in Arkansas|US 425]]) and eleven [[List of Arkansas state highways|Arkansas state highways]]. Ashley County is also served by one public owned/public use [[general aviation]] airport, [[Z. M. Jack Stell Field]], one electric cooperative (Ashley-Chicot Electric Cooperative), and ten community water systems provide [[potable water]] to customers in the county. It is an alcohol prohibition or [[dry county]].

==History==
Ashley County, the fifth-largest county in Arkansas in terms of land area, was formed by the [[7th Arkansas General Assembly]] on November 30, 1848, from portions of Drew, Chicot and Union Counties. It was named after [[Chester Ashley]], a US Senator and land speculator.<ref name="1868report">{{ cite book |last=Daniels |first=Charlie |authorlink=Charlie Daniels (politician) |year=2002 |title=The 1868 Report: A Collection of Historical Documents from Arkansas's First Land Commissioner |publisher=[[Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands]] |location=Little Rock |page=15 |isbn=9781563118333 |lccn=2002111524 |oclc=57004142 }}</ref> The final borders were laid in 1861.

The first settlement in Ashley County appears to have been made by the French at Longview. Now there is no trace of Longview that was a river town connecting the Arkansas Post and Monroe, Louisiana. The Fogle and Gulett families claimed to have located at Longview in 1768 or 1770. In 1846 Captain Phillip Derden came from Virginia and moved to Longview. He bought furs and skins from hunters and trappers and ran a general store for pioneer settlers. He built a log warehouse and a lived in a 2-story log cabin.<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Early Settlers Along The Lower Saline River In Ashley County, Arkansas|url=https://pdf4pro.com/view/the-arkansas-family-historian-arkansas-1362b4.html|author=William T. Martin|year=2018|publisher=Arkansas Family Historian,AFH VOL. 56, NO. 1, Spring 2018 23}}</ref> The home of Isaac Denson in [[Fountain Hill, Arkansas|Fountain Hill]] served as the temporary county seat until a new centrally located town could be established in 1849. It was named "Hamburg" in honor of "fine deer hams" enjoyed by the county commissioners making the selection in the vicinity.<ref name="1868report" /> The 1850 courthouse was replaced in 1905 but was lost in a fire in 1921. The current courthouse was built in the 1960s.<ref name="1868report" /> The courtroom in the courthouse has a one-of-a-kind architecture: it is round, and the seats are arranged so that members of the audience can always see each other.

[[John R. Steelman]], who wrote his 1928 PhD dissertation on "mob action in the South", wrote:<blockquote>Ashley County has had five lynchings since 1900, the last of which occurred in 1927. On February 19, 1904 at Crossett - a sawmill town - a Negro was lynched for Murder and on September 5, another for "assaulting whites". In 1908 the only lynching in the state was at Parkdale, 
Ashley County. [[Lynching of Earnest Williams|Earnest Williams]] was thrust into eternity by a band of men who were "outraged" at him for "using offensive language"'. On May 30, 1909 a Negro was lynched at Portland for Murder. The last lynching in Ashley County occurred on August 26, 1927, [[Lynching of Winston Pounds|Winston Pounds]] was "taken from a posse of deputy sheriffs" and hanged to a tree one and a half miles from Wilmot, charged with having "attacked a young married woman".<ref>{{cite thesis |type=PhD |title=A Study of Mob Action in the South |first=John R. |last=Steelman | authorlink=John R. Steelman |publisher=[[University of North Carolina]] |year=1928 |page=178|url=https://archive.org/stream/studyofmobaction00stee/studyofmobaction00stee_djvu.txt}}</ref></blockquote>

==Geography==
[[File:Wild Phlox, Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, Crossett, Arkansas.jpg|right|thumb|Wild ''[[Phlox]]'', Felsenthal NWR]]
{{See also|Arkansas Delta|Arkansas Timberlands}}
Ashley County is split between two geographic regions, divided by the [[Bayou Bartholomew]]. The rich, fertile, alluvial soils of the [[Mississippi Alluvial Plain]] extend into the eastern part of the county. In Arkansas, this region is called the Arkansas Delta (in Arkansas, usually referred to as "the Delta"), having a distinct history and culture from adjacent regions. West of the Ouachita, Ashley County is characterized by forests of [[Pinus echinata|shortleaf pine]] and [[Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest|hardwoods]] typical of the [[Gulf Coastal Plain]]. In Arkansas, this region is referred to as the [[Arkansas Timberlands]], a subdivision of the [[Piney Woods]].

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|941|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|925|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|15|sqmi}} (1.6%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_05.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 25, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref> The [[List of U.S. states by elevation|lowest point]] in the state of Arkansas is located on the [[Ouachita River]] in Ashley County and [[Union County, Arkansas|Union County]], where it flows out of Arkansas and into [[Louisiana]].

The county is located approximately {{convert|58|mi|km}} north of [[Monroe, Louisiana]], {{convert|118|mi|km}} south of [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], and {{convert|158|mi|km}} northwest of [[Jackson, Mississippi]].{{#tag:ref|Mileages from Ashley County to Monroe, Little Rock, and Jackson are based on highway miles using county seat Hamburg for Ashley County.<ref>{{cite web
  |title=Google Maps (Search for Hamburg, AR)
  |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hamburg,+AR+71646/@33.2250893,-91.8323047,13z
  |access-date= April 29, 2017 }}</ref>
|group=Note}}

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Drew County, Arkansas|Drew County]] - north
* [[Chicot County, Arkansas|Chicot County]] - east
* [[Morehouse Parish, Louisiana]] - south
* [[Union Parish, Louisiana]] - southwest
* [[Union County, Arkansas|Union County]] - west
* [[Bradley County, Arkansas|Bradley County]] - northwest

===Hydrology===
[[File:Salinerivermap.png|right|thumb|upright|The Saline River empties into the Ouachita along the western county line]]
{{See also|List of lakes in Ashley County, Arkansas}}
Water is an extremely important part of Ashley County's geography, history, economy, and culture. The many rivers, streams, and ditches crossing the county have featured prominently since prehistoric times, and many archaeological sites, including the Lake Enterprise Mound from the [[Archaic period (North America)|Archaic period]],<ref>{{cite web |title= Mound Investigation Combines Technology, Archeology |url= http://www.ashleycountyledger.com/news/ashley_county_history/mound-investigation-combines-technology-archeology/article_5cac989f-0c3f-56c9-aff1-610a52a02bc1.html |publisher= Ashley County Publishing Co. Inc. |location= Hamburg |date= November 12, 2009 |work= Ashley County Ledger |access-date= March 24, 2019 }}</ref> are along waterways. Many early white settlements, including [[Berea, Arkansas]], were founded along waterways, but many faded as railroads eclipsed waterways as the favored mode of transportation.<ref name="eoc" >{{cite encyclopedia |title= Ashley County |url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=746 |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]] |publisher= [[Butler Center for Arkansas Studies]] at the [[Central Arkansas Library System]] |date= July 14, 2016 |first1= Deirdre |last1= Kelley |first2= Bill |last2= Norman |access-date=March 24, 2019 }}</ref>

Ashley County is split among four watersheds: the lower [[Saline River (Ouachita River tributary)|Saline River]] in the northwest, lower [[Ouachita River]] in the southwest, [[Bayou Bartholomew]] across the majority of the county, and the [[Boeuf River]] along the eastern edge. The Saline River serves as the northwestern boundary of the county before emptying into the [[Ouachita River]], which serves as the southwestern boundary. The [[Port of Crossett]] is positioned just south of the Saline River's mouth. Within the county, Bearhouse Creek, Chemin-a-haut Bayou, Fountain Creek, Flat Creek, Mill Creek, and Overflow Creek are important watercourses.<ref>{{Cite map |year= 2004 |publisher = DeLorme |title = Arkansas Atlas and Gazetteer |edition = Second |section = 63–64 |location= [[Yarmouth, Maine]] |isbn= 978-0-89933-345-8 |oclc= 780322182 }}</ref>

===Protected areas===
Ashley County contains [[Overflow National Wildlife Refuge]], part of the [[Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge]], and four [[List of Arkansas Wildlife Management Areas|Wildlife Management Areas]] (WMAs) under [[Arkansas Game and Fish Commission]] jurisdiction.

Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA preserves seasonally flooded [[bottomland hardwood forest]] habitat along the Ouachita River between the Felsenthal NWR and the Louisiana state line for preservation, recreation, and hunting opportunities. Duck hunting, especially when the Ouachita River floods, is the primary hunting opportunity due to the site's position along the [[Mississippi Flyway]], with deer and squirrel hunting also available during the year.<ref>{{cite web |title= Wildlife Management Area Details |work= Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA |url= http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/wmaDetails.aspx?show=025 |publisher= Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |location= Little Rock |year= 2011 |access-date= April 29, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160327051904/http://www.agfc.com/hunting/pages/wmadetails.aspx?show=025 |archive-date= March 27, 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Most of the {{convert|7020|acre|ha}} is on the Union County side of the Ouachita River, leaving the only public access to the Ashley County area via boat.<ref>{{Cite map |author= GIS Division |publisher= Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |title= Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA |url= http://www.agfc.com/resources/maps/BerylAnthony_d.pdf |location= Little Rock |format= PDF |date= September 2006 |access-date= April 29, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120729202438/http://www.agfc.com/resources/maps/BerylAnthony_d.pdf |archive-date= July 29, 2012 |url-status= dead }}</ref> A small segment in Ashley County contains the Coffee Prairie Natural Area, owned by the [[Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission]].<ref name="ash" />

The Casey Jones Leased Lands WMA is a common name for five fragmented parcels in Ashley and Drew counties established in 1988. The two largest segments in Ashley County are south of Crossett and in the northwest corner of the county, with a small area northwest of the Overflow WMA also included in Casey Jones WMA.<ref>{{Cite map |author= GIS Division |publisher= Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |title= Casey Jones WMA |url= http://www.agfc.com/resources/maps/Casey%20Jones%20WMA.pdf |location= Little Rock |format= PDF |date= September 2014 |access-date= April 29, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150929080832/http://www.agfc.com/resources/maps/Casey%20Jones%20WMA.pdf |archive-date= September 29, 2015 |url-status= dead }}</ref> This lease includes segments of working forest actively managed for forest products, primarily by single tree selection. Habitats range from upland pine to bottomland hardwood depending upon location. Deer and turkey hunting are most common in the WMA.<ref>{{cite web |title= Wildlife Management Area Details |work= Casey Jones WMA |url= http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/wmaDetails.aspx?show=125 |publisher= Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |location= Little Rock |year= 2011 |access-date= April 29, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160325160817/http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/wmaDetails.aspx?show=125 |archive-date= March 25, 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

Little Bayou WMA is located in northeastern Ashley County along the western banks of Bayou Bartholomew at the mouth of Little Bayou. The area contains a boat ramp on Bayou Bartholomew, as well as [[birding]], camping, fishing, and hunting. The former agricultural area was replanted with bottomland and upland hardwoods, short-leaf pines, and native warm season grasses in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |title= Wildlife Management Area Details |work= Little Bayou WMA |url= http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/wmaDetails.aspx?show=415 |publisher= Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |location= Little Rock |year= 2011 |access-date= April 29, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160325161813/http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/wmaDetails.aspx?show=415 |archive-date= March 25, 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref>  
[[File:Crossett Experimental Forest Building No. 8.JPG|right|thumb|Residence at the Experimental Forest built by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps|CCC]], now listed on the [[NRHP]]]]
The [[Crossett Experimental Forest]] is a {{convert|1765|acre|ha}} property donated by [[Georgia-Pacific Corporation]] in 1934 to research forest management in second-growth [[loblolly pine]] and shortleaf pine forests. Within the Forest is the Reynolds Natural Area, a stand that has been largely untouched since the area's creation in 1934. The property is managed by the [[Southern Research Station]] of the [[United States Forest Service]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 2058
|1860= 8590
|1870= 8042
|1880= 10156
|1890= 13295
|1900= 19734
|1910= 25268
|1920= 23410
|1930= 25151
|1940= 26785
|1950= 25660
|1960= 24220
|1970= 24976
|1980= 26538
|1990= 24319
|2000= 24209
|2010= 21853
|2020= 19062
|estyear=2023
|estimate=18262
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 30, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=U.S. Decennial Census |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 25, 2015 }}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 25, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ar190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=August 25, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=August 25, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2016<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/05/05003.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607030231/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/05/05003.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

===2020 Census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Ashley County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US05003&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 12, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|12,685
|66.55%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|4,644
|24.36%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|25
|0.13%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|41
|0.22%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|6
|0.03%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|547
|2.87%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,114
|5.84%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 19,062 people, 7,757 households, and 5,454 families residing in the county.

===2010 Census===
{{Pie chart
 | caption= Racial/Ethnic Makeup of Ashley County treating Hispanics as a Separate Category (2010)<ref name="10census">{{cite web |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US05003 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012704/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US05003 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=October 23, 2019 |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010, 2010 Demographic Profile Data, Ashley County, Arkansas |work=2010 United States Census |location=Washington, DC }}</ref>
 |thumb=left
 | label1 = White Non-Hispanic
 | value1 = 68.2 | color2=#36A
 | label2 = Black Non-Hispanic
 | value2 = 25.7 | color1=#6A5
 | label3 = Native American Non-Hispanic
 | value3 = 0.2 | color3=#FF33AC
 | label4 = Asian Non-Hispanic
 | value4 = 0.2 | color4=#1A9
 | label5 = Pacific Islander Non-Hispanic
 | value5 = 0.0| color5=#E17720
 | label6 = Other Non-Hispanic
 | value6 = 0.0 | color6=#F0FF00
 | label7 = Two or more races Non-Hispanic
 | value7 = 0.8 | color7=#64ECDF
 | label8 = Hispanic Any Race
 | value8 = 4.9 | color8=#9400D3
 }}

As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]],<ref name="10census" /> there were 21,853 people, 8,765 households, and 6,227 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|23|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 10,137 housing units at an average density of {{convert|11|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 69.3% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 25.8% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.2% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.1% from two or more races. 4.9% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 8,765 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $23,673, and the median income for a family was $34,934. Males had a median income of $43,594 versus $21,897 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,779. About 14.3% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US05003|publisher=United States Census Bureau|year=2010|access-date=March 20, 2019|title=Selected Economic Characteristics|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213040354/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US05003|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2000 Census===
[[Image:USA Ashley County, Arkansas age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|upright|Age pyramid Ashley County<ref>Based on [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] data</ref>]]
As of the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 24,209 people, 9,384 households, and 6,906 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|26|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 10,615 housing units at an average density of {{convert|12|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 69.78% White, 27.10% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.73% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 3.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,384 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 23.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,758, and the median income for a family was $37,370. Males had a median income of $35,089 versus $19,501 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,702. About 13.90% of families and 17.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.70% of those under age 18 and 17.20% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2010 Ashley County had a population of 21,853 people. 68.19% of the population were non-Hispanic whites, 25.81% were blacks, 0.32% Native Americans, 0.18% Asians and 4.89% Hispanics or Latinos.

In 2000, the largest denominational group was the [[Evangelical Protestant]]s (with 16,752 adherents) and [[Mainline Protestant]]s (with 1,817 adherents).<ref name="thearda">{{cite web |url=http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/counties/05003_2000.asp|title=County Membership Reports |access-date=August 22, 2011 |work= thearda.com | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110712164230/http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/counties/05003_2000.asp| archive-date= July 12, 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> The largest religious bodies were The [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (with 11,398 members) and The [[American Baptist Association]] (with 2,890 members).<ref name="thearda2010">{{cite web |url=http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/counties/05003_2000.asp|title=County Membership Reports |access-date=August 22, 2010 |work= thearda.com }}</ref>

==Human resources==

===Education===
{{See also|Education in Arkansas}}
Educational attainment in Ashley County is typical for a rural Arkansas county, with a 2012 study finding 84.9% of Ashley County residents over age 25 held a high school degree or higher and 13.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to Arkansas statewide averages of 84.8% and 21.1%. Ashley County is significantly below national averages of 86.7% and 29.8%, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title= American Community Survey |year=2011–2015 |url= https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/05003,05,00 |publisher= United States Census Bureau |access-date= May 11, 2017 }}</ref>

====Primary and secondary education====
[[File:Map of Ashley County Public School Districts.png|right|thumb|Public school district boundaries in Ashley County as of July 2016]]
Two public school districts are based in Ashley County; [[Hamburg School District (Arkansas)|Hamburg School District]] is the largest school district in Ashley County, with the [[Crossett School District]] serving the west side of the county. Successful completion of the curriculum of these schools leads to graduation from [[Hamburg High School (Arkansas)|Hamburg High School]] or [[Crossett High School]], respectively. Both high schools are accredited by the [[Arkansas Department of Education]] (ADE). A small area in eastern Ashley County is served by the [[Lakeside School District (Lake Village, Arkansas)|Lakeside School District]], which is based in [[Lake Village, Arkansas|Lake Village]].

====Higher education====
There are no institutions of [[higher education]] in Ashley County. The nearest public [[community college]] is [[Louisiana Delta Community College]] in [[Bastrop, Louisiana]], followed by [[South Arkansas Community College]] in [[El Dorado, Arkansas|El Dorado]]. Nearby public four-year universities include [[University of Arkansas at Monticello]], [[University of Louisiana at Monroe]], and [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana]]. The University of Arkansas at Monticello's [http://www.uamont.edu/pages/uam-college-of-technology-crossett/degree-programs/ College of Technology—Crossett], formerly the Forest Echoes Technology Institute, is located between North Crossett and Hamburg and offers associate degrees in general and industrial technology and technical certifications in a number of medical and technical programs.

====Libraries====
Ashley County has two libraries: the Ashley County Library in Hamburg and Crossett Public Library in Crossett. Both institutions offers books, [[e-book]]s, media, reference, youth, business and [[genealogy]] services.

===Public health===
Ashley County's above-average poverty rate also indicates a high [[Medicaid]] eligibility rate. As of 2012, 35.3% of Ashley County was eligible for Medicaid, with 72.5% of children under 19 eligible for [[ARKids First]], a program by the [[Arkansas Department of Human Services]] that combines children's Medicaid (ARKids A) and other programs for families with higher incomes (ARKids B).<ref>{{harvp|"Profile"|2015|p= 56}}.</ref> The county's population is significantly above healthy weight, with 71.9% of adults and 39.8% of children/adolescents ranking as overweight or obese, above the state averages of 67.1% and 39.3%, themselves significantly above national averages of 62.9% and 30.3%, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title= Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity: Data, Trends and Maps |publisher= Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |url= https://nccd.cdc.gov/NPAO_DTM/Default.aspx |access-date= December 20, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161221162248/https://nccd.cdc.gov/NPAO_DTM/Default.aspx |archive-date= December 21, 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

The [[Ashley County Medical Center]] in Crossett is the nearest medical center offering acute inpatient care, [[emergency care]], [[diagnosis|diagnostics]], general surgery, orthopedic surgery, OB/GYN, rehabilitation, therapy, and senior care services. The facility is rated as a [[Level 4 Trauma Center]] by the [[Arkansas Department of Health]].

The nearest [[Level 1 Trauma Center]]s are [[Arkansas Children's Hospital]] and [[University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences]], both in Little Rock.<ref>{{cite web |title= Designated Trauma Centers |date= June 7, 2016 |url= http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/injuryPreventionControl/TraumaticSystems/Pages/DesignatedTraumaCenters.aspx |publisher= Arkansas Department of Health |access-date= May 12, 2017 |archive-date= February 11, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120211165823/http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/injuryPreventionControl/TraumaticSystems/Pages/DesignatedTraumaCenters.aspx |url-status= dead }}</ref>

===Public safety===
The [[Ashley County Sheriff's Office]] is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The agency is led by the Ashley County Sheriff, an official elected by countywide vote every four years. Police departments in Crossett, Hamburg, Portland and Wilmot provide law enforcement in their respective jurisdictions, with remaining municipalities contracting with the Ashley County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services.

The county is under the jurisdiction of the Ashley County District Court, a [[Arkansas District Court|local district court]].<ref name="harvp|Directory|2017|p= 30">{{harvp|"Directory"|2017|p= 30}}.</ref> Local district courts in Arkansas are courts of [[original jurisdiction]] for criminal, civil, small claims, and traffic matters.<ref name="jd" >{{cite web |author= Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary |title= Arkansas Court Structure |url= https://courts.arkansas.gov/sites/default/files/Arkansas%20Court%20Structure.pdf |date= September 2, 2014 |publisher= Arkansas Judiciary |access-date= December 26, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161223021248/https://courts.arkansas.gov/sites/default/files/Arkansas%20Court%20Structure.pdf |archive-date= December 23, 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Local district courts are presided over by an elected part-time judge who may privately practice law. The district court has two departments, Crossett and Hamburg.<ref name="harvp|Directory|2017|p= 30"/>

Superseding district court jurisdiction is the [[Arkansas Circuit Courts|10th Judicial Circuit Court]], which covers Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha, Drew counties. The 10th Circuit contains three circuit judges, elected to six-year terms circuitwide.<ref>{{harvp|"Directory"|2017|p= 14}}.</ref>

[[Fire protection]] is provided by twelve agencies in Ashley County, together covering the entire county except approximately {{convert|2|sqmi|sqkm}} in the Felsenthal NWR. The seven incorporated municipalities and two census-designated places each provide fire protection, in some cases extending beyond corporate limits. Rural areas are served by the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department, Milo Fire Department, or Unity Frost Prairie Fire Department.<ref>{{ cite map |author= GIS Applications Laboratory |title= Arkansas Fire Districts |year= 2019 |url=https://gislabualr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d54f8061ddaf444b8321bcaedb125d4c |format= SHP |publisher=[[Arkansas Economic Development Institute]], [[University of Arkansas at Little Rock]] |scale= Various |location= Little Rock, Arkansas |access-date= August 9, 2019 }}</ref> All fire departments in Ashley County are volunteer-based, except the Crossett Fire Department.<ref>{{ cite web |title=Ashley County Volunteer Fire Departments |url= https://oemashleycounty.weebly.com/fire-departments.html |author= Office of Emergency Management |publisher= Ashley County, Arkansas |access-date= August 9, 2019 }}</ref>

==Culture and contemporary life==
[[File:Crossroads_Fire_Tower.JPG|right|thumb|upright|The 1935 [[Crossroads Fire Tower]] is the tallest of its type in Arkansas]]
{{Main|Culture of Arkansas|Bible Belt}}
Ashley County has several facilities, monuments, and museums dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the area. The [[Watson House (Hamburg, Arkansas)|Ashley County Museum]], owned and operated by the Ashley County Historical Society, preserves and interprets the history and culture of Ashley County for visitors. Four properties related to the history of forestry are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], including the [[Crossroads Fire Tower]], installed by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] in 1935.<ref>{{NRISref|version=2013a|dateform=mdy|access-date=November 10, 2019|refnum=06000078|name=Crossroads Fire Tower}}</ref> The Old Company House Museum in Crossett City Park is one of the original mill houses constructed by the Crossett Lumber Company prior to 1910. The house contains period decorations and offers tours by appointment.<ref>{{ cite web |title= Old Company House Museum |url= https://www.arkansas.com/attractions-culture/old-company-house-museum |publisher= Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism |access-date= November 10, 2019 }}</ref> Other cultural points of interest in Ashley County include:

*Six churches listed on the NRHP in Ashley County maintain the history and culture of evangelical [[Protestantism]] in the area<ref>{{NRISref|version=2013a|dateform=mdy|access-date=November 10, 2019|refnum=10000018|name=Crossett Methodist Church}}</ref><ref>{{NRISref|version=2013a|dateform=mdy|access-date=November 10, 2019|refnum=92000388|name=First United Methodist Church}}</ref><ref name="hpb" /><ref>{{NRISref|version=2013a|dateform=mdy|access-date=November 10, 2019|refnum=06001285|name=Parkdale Baptist Church-AS0051}}</ref><ref>{{NRISref|version=2013a|dateform=mdy|access-date=November 10, 2019|refnum=07000505|name=Parkdale Methodist Church}}</ref><ref>{{NRISref|version=2013a|dateform=mdy|access-date=November 10, 2019|refnum=06000942|name=Portland United Methodist Church}}</ref>
*The Ashley County Farmer's Market is an informal market (no set times).<ref>{{ cite web |title= Ashley County Farmers Market |url= https://www.arkansas.com/agritourism/ashley-county-farmers-market |publisher= Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism |access-date= November 10, 2019 }}</ref>
*The [[Hamburg Presbyterian Church|Hamburg Garden Club]] has been located in a historic church at the corner of Cherry and Lincoln Streets since 1987.<ref name="hpb">{{NRISref|version=2013a|dateform=mdy|access-date=November 10, 2019|refnum=91000589|name=Hamburg Presbyterian Church}}</ref>
*Over 75 species are contained at the Crossland Zoo in Crossett.<ref>{{ cite web |title=Crossland Zoo |url= https://www.arkansas.com/attractions/crossland-zoo |publisher= Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism |access-date= November 10, 2019 }}</ref>

===Annual cultural events===
Hamburg hosts the World Famous Armadillo Festival annually during the first weekend in May.<ref>{{ cite web |title=World Famous Armadillo Festival |url=https://www.arkansas.com/events/world-famous-armadillo-festival |publisher= Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism |access-date= November 10, 2019 }}</ref> The Ashley County Fair is hosted during the first weekend in September at the Ashley County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, and includes a rodeo and the Miss Ashley County pageant in the Maxwell Hill Auditorium.<ref>{{ cite web |last= Gaught |first= Val |title=Ashley County Fair will start this weekend, pageant first |url= https://www.ashleynewsobserver.com/news/ashley-county-fair-will-start-this-weekend-pageant-first/article_ce570586-cf1b-11e9-b90f-5f2c11e4650e.html |work= [[Ashley News Observer]] |location= Crossett, Arkansas |access-date= November 10, 2019 }}</ref> Crossett hosts the Crossett [[Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association]] Rodeo in August and the Wiggins Cabin Arts & Crafts Festival each October.<ref>{{ cite web |title=Crossett |url=https://www.arkansas.com/crossett |publisher= Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism |access-date= November 10, 2019 }}</ref>

===Media===
The ''[[Ashley County Ledger]]'' of Hamburg and the ''[[Ashley News Observer]]'' of Crossett are the county's two weekly newspapers.

Ashley County is within the [[Monroe, Louisiana]]-El Dorado [[designated market area]] with the following local TV stations: [[KNOE-TV|KNOE]] (dual [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]/[[CBS]] and [[The CW]]), [[KARD (TV)|KARD]] (Fox), [[KTVE]] (NBC), and two PBS affiliates: [[KLTM-TV]] ([[Louisiana Public Broadcasting|Louisiana]]) and [[KETZ]] ([[Arkansas Educational Television Network|Arkansas]]).<ref>{{ cite web |title=Monroe - El Dorado TV Channels |work=Station Index |url= https://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/Monroe-El+Dorado |access-date= November 16, 2019 }}</ref>

The county is home to two FM radio stations: [[KAGH-FM]] (104.9 FM, "Today's Country 104.9") and [[KWLT]] (102.7 FM).<ref>{{ cite web |title= Arkansas FM Radio Stations |publisher= [[Federal Communications Commission]] |location= [[Washington DC]] |work= FM Query Results |date= November 16, 2019 |access-date= November 16, 2019 |url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?state=AR }}</ref> and [[KAGH (AM)|KAGH]] (800 AM, "Oldies Radio 800").<ref>{{ cite web |title= Arkansas AM Radio Stations |publisher= Federal Communications Commission |location= Washington DC |work= FM Query Results |date= November 16, 2019 |access-date= November 16, 2019 |url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?state=AR }}</ref>

==Government and politics==
{{see also|Government of Arkansas|County judge|Quorum Court}}
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 based on population, and district boundaries are drawn by the Ashley County Election Commission. The Ashley County Quorum Court has nine members.<ref>{{cite web |title= Ashley County |url= http://www.arcounties.org/counties/ashley/ |publisher= Association of Arkansas Counties |access-date= April 30, 2017 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title= Quorum Courts |url= http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=6348 |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]] |publisher= [[Butler Center for Arkansas Studies]] at the [[Central Arkansas Library System]] |date= March 24, 2014 |last= Teske |first= Steven |access-date= January 23, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title= Office of County Judge |url= http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=5720 |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]] |publisher= Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System |date= August 28, 2015 |last= Goss |first= Kay C. |access-date= January 23, 2016 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Ashley County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-15 |title=County Officials {{!}} Ashley County |url=https://www.ashleycountyar.com/county-officials/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ashley {{!}} Association of Arkansas Counties |url=https://www.arcounties.org/counties/ashley/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=www.arcounties.org}}</ref><ref name=":1">https://www.arcounties.org/site/assets/files/6033/november_races.pdf</ref>
!Position
!Officeholder
!Party
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|County Judge
|Jim Hudson
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|County Clerk
|Christie Martin
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#999999;
|Circuit Clerk
|Vickie Stell
|Independent
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|Sheriff
|Tommy Sturgeon
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|Treasurer
|Stacey Breshears
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#92C5DE;
|Collector
|Lori Pennington
|Democratic
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|Assessor
|Beth Rush
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|Coroner
|Keith Medders
|Republican
|}
The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 7 Republicans, 1 Democrat, and 1 Independent. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Ashley County, Arkansas, elections, 2024 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Ashley_County,_Arkansas,_elections,_2024 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref>

* District 1: Ron Miller (I)
* District 2: Billy Pippen (D)
* District 3: Jimmy Pennington (R)
* District 4: Rickey Nelms (R)
* District 5: Jeff Langley (R)
* District 6: Ronald D. Wheeler (R)
* District 7: Rhonda Pippen (R)
* District 8: Bob Rush (R)
* District 9: Greg Sivils (R)

Additionally, the townships of Ashley 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is a Constable? |url=https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/ced-blog/posts/2022/may/what-is-a-constable.aspx |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=What is a Constable? |language=en}}</ref> The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:<ref name=":2" />

* Egypt: Frankie Tanksley (R)
* Extra: James L. Austin (D)
* Millcreek: Dwight Smitty (R)

=== Presidential Elections ===
Since the mid-20th century, Ashley County has transitioned from reliably [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] to steady [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] in national, state and local elections. Ashley County was part of the [[Solid South]], a period of Democratic hegemony which began after [[Reconstruction Era|Reconstruction]] following the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. This resulted essentially in a [[one-party system]], in which a candidate's victory in Democratic primary elections was [[tantamount to election]] to the office itself. The Solid South [[Southern Democrats#Losing the South|started to dissolve]] following the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964|Civil Rights Act in 1964]], which is when Ashley County's streak of supporting Democratic candidates ended. Republican presidential candidate support continued to grow after 1964, though Ashley County strongly supported fellow Southerners in Presidential elections: [[Alabama]] [[List of Governors of Alabama|Governor]] [[George Wallace]] in [[1968 United States presidential election|1968]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] [[List of Governors of Georgia|Governor]] [[Jimmy Carter]] in [[1976 United States presidential election|1976]], fellow Arkansan [[Bill Clinton]] in [[1992 United States presidential election|1992]] and [[1996 United States presidential election|1996]], and [[Al Gore]] in [[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]. By the [[2004 United States presidential election|2004 election]], the county narrowly supported [[George W. Bush]], but subsequently supported [[Barack Obama]]'s opponents and [[Donald Trump]] by large margins.<ref name="pol" >{{cite web |first= David |last= Leip |title= Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url= http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |access-date= December 5, 2016 }}</ref>

===Political Culture===

{{PresHead|place=Ashley County, Arkansas|source=<ref name="DL">{{cite web|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|access-date=November 18, 2016}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|5,145|1,774|111|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|5,548|2,125|253|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,338|2,408|337|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,867|2,859|195|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,406|2,976|260|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,567|3,881|64|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|3,876|4,253|142|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,428|5,011|842|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,686|5,876|1,005|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|4,111|4,466|82|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,675|3,373|41|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|3,960|4,552|236|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,092|5,253|9|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|5,506|1,680|17|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|1,470|2,035|4,401|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|3,742|2,901|67|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,288|3,118|620|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,183|2,820|267|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,249|3,471|9|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|197|1,844|367|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|285|2,169|6|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|184|1,835|4|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|95|1,382|0|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|188|2,537|8|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|786|1,393|3|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|506|1,048|95|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|725|1,312|32|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|463|1,519|0|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|439|1,029|428|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|821|1,100|70|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|347|804|12|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|524|1,381|23|Arkansas}}
{{PresFoot|1896|Democratic|405|1,760|90|Arkansas}}

In [[United States Congress|Congress]], Arkansas has been represented by two Republican senators, [[John Boozman]] and [[Tom Cotton]], since January 3, 2015, ending a long history of Democratic hegemony. In the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], Ashley County is the easternmost county within the [[Arkansas's 4th congressional district|4th congressional district]], which contains [[Southwest Arkansas]], the [[Arkansas River Valley]], and a few [[Ozark]] counties. The 4th has been represented by [[Bruce Westerman]] since [[United States House of Representatives elections in Arkansas, 2014#District 4|2014]].

In the [[Arkansas Senate]], Ashley County is within the 1st District. The district contains much of [[Southeast Arkansas]] and has been represented by [[Ben Gilmore]] (R) since 2021. In the [[Arkansas House of Representatives]], Ashley and Chicot counties make up the 95th district, which has been represented by [[Howard M. Beaty Jr.]] (R) since 2021.<ref>{{ cite map |author= [[Arkansas Economic Development Institute]] |title= Arkansas District Finder |publisher= [[University of Arkansas at Little Rock]] |location= Little Rock |scale= Various |url=https://districtfinder.youraedi.com/ |access-date= August 20, 2022 }}</ref>

===Taxation===
{{See also|Taxation in the United States}}
[[Property tax]] is assessed by the Ashley County Assessor annually based upon the fair market value of the property and determining which tax rate, commonly called a ''millage'' in Arkansas, will apply. The rate depends upon the property's location with respect to city limits, school district, and special [[tax increment financing]] (TIF) districts. This tax is collected by the Ashley County Collector between the first business day of March of each year through October 15 without penalty. The Ashley County Treasurer disburses tax revenues to various government agencies, such as cities, county road departments, fire departments, libraries, and police departments in accordance with the budget set by the quorum court.

Sales and use taxes in Arkansas are voter approved and collected by the [[Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration]].
Arkansas's statewide [[sales tax|sales]] and [[use tax]] has been 6.5% since July 1, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title= State Tax Rates |url= http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/salesanduse/Pages/StateTaxRates.aspx |publisher= Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration |access-date= December 19, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161223132933/http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/salesanduse/Pages/StateTaxRates.aspx |archive-date= December 23, 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Ashley County has an additional sales and use tax of 1.50% since July 1, 2010. Within Ashley County, the City of Crossett has an additional 2.25% sales and use tax since January 1, 2014, and Fountain Hill, Hamburg, Portland, and Wilmot have a 1.00% sales and use tax rate.<ref>{{cite web |title= List of Cities and Counties with Local Sales and Use Tax |date= October–December 2016 |url= http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/salesanduse/Documents/cityCountyTaxTable.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091219070244/http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/salesanduse/Documents/cityCountyTaxTable.pdf |archive-date=December 19, 2009 |url-status=live |publisher= Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration |access-date= April 30, 2017 }}</ref> The [[Arkansas State Treasurer]] disburses tax revenue to counties/cities in accordance with tax rules.

==Communities==
[[File:Crossett Municipal Building, front (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|The historic [[Crossett Municipal Building]] is home to municipal government in Crossett]]
Six incorporated cities and one town are located within the county. The largest city is [[Crossett, Arkansas|Crossett]], located in the southwest part of the county near the [[Ouachita River]]. Crossett's population in 2010 was 5,507, but including the two adjacent [[unincorporated area|unincorporated]] [[census designated place]]s of [[North Crossett, Arkansas|North Crossett]] and [[West Crossett, Arkansas|West Crossett]], the total population was 10,752 in 2010. The county seat, [[Hamburg, Arkansas|Hamburg]] is centrally located in the county and had a population of 2,857 at the 2010 Census. The four remaining cities are all located along US&nbsp;165 in the eastern part of the county, and have populations below 1,000 people: [[Montrose, Arkansas|Montrose]],  [[Parkdale, Arkansas|Parkdale]], [[Portland, Arkansas|Portland]], and [[Wilmot, Arkansas|Wilmot]]. The lone incorporated town, [[Fountain Hill, Arkansas|Fountain Hill]], is located north of Hamburg and had a population of 175 in 2010.<ref>{{ cite web |author= Staff of the Arkansas Census State Data Center |title=AR Census Data |url= https://ualr.edu/aedi/census-state-data-center/arkansas-census-data/ |location= Little Rock |publisher= [[Arkansas Economic Development Institute]], [[University of Arkansas at Little Rock]] |access-date= May 13, 2019 }}</ref>

Ashley County has dozens of unincorporated communities and ghost towns within its borders. This is due to early settlers in Arkansas tending to settle in small clusters rather than incorporated towns, especially along bayous or river landings in Ashley County. For example, communities like [[Longview Crossing, Arkansas|Longview]] and [[Milo, Arkansas|Milo]] had a post office or other buildings at some point in their history. Other communities are simply a few dwellings at a crossroads that have adopted a common place name over time. Some are officially listed as populated places by the United States Geological Survey, and others are listed as historic settlements.

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Beech Creek Crossing, Arkansas|Beech Creek Crossing]]
* [[Berea, Arkansas|Berea]]
* [[Berlin, Arkansas|Berlin]]
* [[Bovine, Arkansas|Bovine]]
* [[Boydell, Arkansas|Boydell]]
* [[Cremer, Arkansas|Cremer]]
* [[Crossroad, Ashley County, Arkansas|Crossroad]]
* [[Donbey, Arkansas|Donbey]]
* [[Forest Park Addition, Arkansas|Forest Park Addition]]
* [[Gulledge, Arkansas|Gulledge]]
* [[Kimball, Arkansas|Kimball]]
* [[Lloyd, Ashley County, Arkansas|Lloyd]]
* [[Longview Crossing, Arkansas|Longview Crossing]]
* [[Martinville, Arkansas|Martinville]]
* [[Meridian, Arkansas|Meridian]]
* [[Miller's Chapel, Arkansas|Miller's Chapel]]
* [[Milo, Arkansas|Milo]]
* [[Mist, Arkansas|Mist]]
* [[Moore's Mill, Arkansas|Moore's Mill]]
* [[Mount Olive, Ashley County, Arkansas|Mount Olive]]
* [[Mount Pleasant, Ashley County, Arkansas|Mount Pleasant]]
* [[Oakhurst Addition, Arkansas|Oakhurst Addition]]
* [[Old Milo, Arkansas|Old Milo]]
* [[Post Oak, Arkansas|Post Oak]]
* [[Promised Land, Arkansas|Promised Land]]
* [[Pugh, Arkansas|Pugh]]
* [[Rawls, Arkansas|Rawls]]
* [[Riley, Arkansas|Riley]]
* [[Roark, Arkansas|Roark]]
* [[Rolfe Junction, Arkansas|Rolfe Junction]]
* [[Snyder, Arkansas|Snyder]]
* [[South Crossett, Arkansas|South Crossett]]
* [[Stillions, Arkansas|Stillions]]
* [[Sulphur Springs, Ashley County, Arkansas|Sulphur Springs]]
* [[Sunshine, Ashley County, Arkansas|Sunshine]]
* [[Thebes, Arkansas|Thebes]]
* [[Trafalgar, Arkansas|Trafalgar]]
* [[Unity, Arkansas|Unity]]
* [[Venice, Arkansas|Venice]]
* [[Wallace, Arkansas|Wallace]]
* [[White, Arkansas|White]]
* [[Whitlow, Arkansas|Whitlow]]
* [[Whitlow Junction, Arkansas|Whitlow Junction]]
* [[Petersburg, Arkansas|Petersburg]]
{{div col end}}

===Historical communities===
{{div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Brushy, Arkansas|Brushy]]
* [[Elon, Arkansas|Elon]]
* [[Jackson, Arkansas|Jackson]]
* [[Matoka, Arkansas|Matoka]]
* [[Phelan, Arkansas|Phelan]]
* [[White, Arkansas|White]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
[[File:Ashley County Arkansas 2010 Township Map large.jpg|thumb|Townships in Ashley County, Arkansas, as of 2010]]

{{Arkansas Townships About|County = Ashley}}
<ref>{{Cite map
 |publisher   = United States Census Bureau
 |title       = 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Ashley County, AR
 |url         = http://www2.census.gov/geo/pvs/bas/bas11/st05_ar/cou/c05003_ashley/BAS11C20500300000_000.pdf
 |access-date  = August 11, 2011
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20121019144417/http://www2.census.gov/geo/pvs/bas/bas11/st05_ar/cou/c05003_ashley/BAS11C20500300000_000.pdf
 |archive-date = October 19, 2012
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/block/2010/cousub/dc10blk_st05_cousub.html#A | title = Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date = May 27, 2014}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Banner Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Banner]]
* [[Bayou Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Bayou]]
* [[Bearhouse Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Bearhouse]]
* [[Beech Creek Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Beech Creek]]
* [[Carter Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Carter]] (contains [[Hamburg, Arkansas|Hamburg]])
* [[De Bastrop Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|De Bastrop]] (contains [[Parkdale, Arkansas|Parkdale]])
* [[Egypt Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Egypt]] (contains [[Crossett, Arkansas|Crossett]], [[West Crossett, Arkansas|West Crossett]], and most of [[North Crossett, Arkansas|North Crossett]])
* [[Elon Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Elon]]
* [[Extra Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Extra]]
* [[Longview Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Longview]]
* [[Marais Saline Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Marais Saline]]
* [[Mill Creek Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Mill Creek]] (contains part of [[North Crossett, Arkansas|North Crossett]])
* [[Montrose Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Montrose]] (contains [[Montrose, Arkansas|Montrose]])
* [[Portland Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Portland]] (contains [[Portland, Arkansas|Portland]])
* [[Prairie Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Prairie]]
* [[Union Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Union]]
* [[White Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|White]] (contains [[Fountain Hill, Arkansas|Fountain Hill]])
* [[Wilmot Township, Ashley County, Arkansas|Wilmot]] (contains [[Wilmot, Arkansas|Wilmot]])
{{div col end}}

Source:<ref name=2010-Census-PDF1 />

==Infrastructure==
===Aviation===
The county contains one public owned/public use airport: [[Z. M. Jack Stell Field]], a small, rural airport east of Crossett with over 16,000 annual operations, almost entirely agricultural spraying operations.<ref>{{FAA-airport|ID=CRT|use=PU|own=PU|site=00860.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective December 30, 2021.</ref> Ashley County also contains five private airfields in the eastern part of the county.<ref name="ash" />

===Major highways===
[[File:Hamburg, AR 001.jpg|thumb|right|US 82/US 425/AR 8 overlap as Main Street in Hamburg]]
Ashley County is not served by any Interstate highways; the nearest access to the Interstate system is [[Interstate 20]] (I-20) in [[Monroe, Louisiana]]. The county serves as a junction point for several US highways: [[U.S. Route 82 in Arkansas|US Highway&nbsp;82]] (US&nbsp;82) crosses the county from west to east. This highway runs across South Arkansas, providing access to population centers including [[El Dorado, Arkansas|El Dorado]], [[Magnolia, Arkansas|Magnolia]], and [[Texarkana, Arkansas|Texarkana]]. The highway also has two [[special route]]s in Ashley County: a [[Special routes of U.S. Route 82#Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge spur|spur route to Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge]] and [[Special routes of U.S. Route 82#Montrose business route|business route in Montrose]]. [[U.S. Route 165 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;165]] and [[U.S. Route 425 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;425]] cross the county from south to north, both run south into Louisiana, with the former running north through the Arkansas Delta to [[North Little Rock, Arkansas|North Little Rock]] and the latter providing northbound connections to [[Monticello, Arkansas|Monticello]] and [[Pine Bluff, Arkansas|Pine Bluff]].<ref name="ahtd">{{Cite map|author=|publisher=[[Arkansas Department of Transportation]]|title=Highway Map of Arkansas|oclc=1007852347|scale=1:835,000|url=https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2017-2019.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023002340/https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2017-2019.pdf|archive-date=October 23, 2021|url-status=live|location=Little Rock|format=PDF|year=2017–2019|access-date=December 5, 2021}}</ref>

Eleven [[List of state highways in Arkansas|state highway]] designations serve the traveling public in the county, ranging from short connector routes to long highways traversing the entire county.{{#tag:ref|Including unsigned state highway designations [[Arkansas Highway 890|Highway 890]] and [[Arkansas Highway 902|Highway 902]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Road-Log-Database.zip |title = Arkansas Road Log Database |author = Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |year = 2015 |publisher = Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |format = MDB |access-date = March 27, 2016 }}</ref>|group=Note}} [[Arkansas Highway 8|Highway&nbsp;8]] east-west across the southern part of the state, entering Ashley County from [[Warren, Arkansas|Warren]], passing through from northwest to southeast through Hamburg, and exiting Ashley County running east to [[Eudora, Arkansas|Eudora]]. [[Arkansas Highway 133|Highway 133]] serves north–south traffic around Crossett. [[Arkansas Highway 144|Highway&nbsp;144]], two segments of [[Arkansas Highway 160|Highway&nbsp;160]], and three segments of [[Arkansas Highway 52|Highway 52]] provide east–west connectivity. [[Arkansas Highway 169|Highway&nbsp;169]] and [[Arkansas Highway 189|Highway&nbsp;189]] connect rural areas to Crossett and Hamburg, respectively. [[Arkansas Highway 173|Highway 173]] connects Overflow NWR to the state highway system. [[Arkansas Highway 209|Highway 209]] is a minor route in Parkdale.<ref name="ash">{{Cite map |author= Planning and Research Division |sections= |publisher= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title= General Highway Map, Ashley County, Arkansas |location= Little Rock |url=https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AshleyCounty.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822101908/https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AshleyCounty.pdf |archive-date=August 22, 2021 |url-status=live |orig-year=October 16, 2007 |date=October 29, 2008 |edition=Revised |scale= 1:62,500 |oclc=908860309 |access-date= November 28, 2021 }}</ref>

===Utilities===
{{See also|List of public utilities in Arkansas}}
The Ashley-Chicot Electric Cooperative, based in Hamburg, is a non-profit electric [[utility cooperative]] serving the rural areas of Ashley County with electric service, as well as parts of adjacent counties. [[Entergy|Entergy Arkansas]] provides electricity for the cities of Hamburg and Crossett and nearby populated outlying areas, and to the small communities along US&nbsp;165.<ref>{{ cite map |title=Electric Utility Service Territories (polygon) |date= October 16, 2014 |orig-year=June 5, 2009 |edition= Update |url= http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgis.arkansas.gov%2Farcgis%2Frest%2Fservices%2FFEATURESERVICES%2FUtilities%2FFeatureServer%2F11&source=sd |publisher= Arkansas GIS Office |access-date= April 7, 2019 }}</ref>

The [[Arkansas Department of Health]] (ADH) is responsible for the regulation and oversight of public water systems throughout the state. Ten community water systems are based in Ashley County: the Crossett Water Commission, Fountain Hill Waterworks, Hamburg Waterworks, Montrose/Boydell Water System, North Crossett Utilities, Northeast Crossett Water Association, Parkdale Waterworks, Portland Waterworks, Wilmot Waterworks, and the West Ashley County Water Association. All use [[groundwater]] as the source.{{#tag:ref|Northeast Crossett purchases from North Crossett<ref>{{cite web |publisher= Arkansas Department of Health |year= 2017 |title= Northeast Crossett Water Association Annual Drinking Water Quality Report |url= http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/eng/ccr/2017/023.pdf |work= Consumer Confidence Report |location= Little Rock |access-date= April 7, 2019 }}</ref> and West Ashley County purchases from the Crossett Water Commission.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= Arkansas Department of Health |year= 2017 |title= West Ashley County Water Association Annual Drinking Water Quality Report |url= http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/eng/ccr/2017/878.pdf |work= Consumer Confidence Report |location= Little Rock |access-date= April 7, 2019 }}</ref>|group=Note}} The Crossett Water Commission has the largest direct retail population served (8,038, all in Ashley County), followed by Hamburg (5,481), and North Crossett Utilities (2,924). The remaining water systems have under 1,000 retail population served.<ref>{{cite web |title= Community Water System Data |publisher= Arkansas Department of Health, Engineering Section |location= Little Rock |url= http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/eng/autoupdates/data.xls |access-date= April 7, 2019 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of lakes in Ashley County, Arkansas]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Ashley County, Arkansas]]
*[[List of counties in Arkansas]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{reflist | refs =
<ref name=2010-Census-PDF1>
 {{cite web
 | url = https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-1-5.pdf
 | title = Summary Population and Housing Characteristics, CPH-1-5, Arkansas
 | work = 2010 Census of Population and Housing
 | publisher = United States Census Bureau
 | date = September 2012
 | access-date = May 31, 2014
}}
</ref>
}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{ cite journal |title= Rural Profile of Arkansas |author= Staff of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension |publisher= University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Services |year=2015 |location= Little Rock |url= https://www.uaex.edu/publications/pdf/MP-531.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318173457/http://uaex.edu/publications/pdf/MP-531.pdf |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date= December 5, 2016 |ref={{harvid|"Profile"|2015}} }}
* {{cite web |title= Arkansas Judicial Directory |author= Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary |publisher= Arkansas Judiciary |date= April 18, 2017 |location= Little Rock |url= https://courts.arkansas.gov/sites/default/files/Judicial%20Directory.pdf |access-date= May 12, 2017 |ref= {{harvid|"Directory"|2017}} |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151204100444/https://courts.arkansas.gov/sites/default/files/Judicial%20Directory.pdf |archive-date= December 4, 2015 |url-status= dead }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ashleynewsobserver.com/ Ashley News Observer]
* [https://www.ashleycountyar.com/ Ashley County Official Website]

{{Geographic Location
| Centre    = Ashley County, Arkansas
| North     = [[Drew County, Arkansas]]
| Northeast =
| East      = [[Chicot County, Arkansas|Chicot County]]
| Southeast =
| South     = [[Morehouse Parish, Louisiana]]
| Southwest = [[Union Parish, Louisiana]]
| West      = [[Union County, Arkansas|Union County]]
| Northwest = [[Bradley County, Arkansas|Bradley County]]
}}

{{Ashley County, Arkansas}}
{{Arkansas}}

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{{authority control}}

[[Category:Ashley County, Arkansas| ]]
[[Category:1848 establishments in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1848]]