Editing Randolph County, Arkansas

{{short description|County in Arkansas, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Randolph County
 | state                = Arkansas
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1835
 | founded date         = October 29
 | seat wl              = Pocahontas
 | largest city wl      = Pocahontas
 | area_footnotes       = <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://gis.arkansas.gov/?product=county-boundary-polygon |format=SHP file |access-date= January 1, 2017 }}</ref>
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 656.04
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 651.83
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.21
 | area percentage      = 0.6%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 18571
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 18907 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | district             = 1st
 | web                  = randolphcounty.arkansas.gov/
 | ex image             = Randolph County Arkansas Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Randolph County courthouse in Pocahontas
 | time zone            = Central
 | named for            = [[John Randolph of Roanoke|John Randolph]] }}

'''Randolph County''' is located between the [[Ozark Mountains]] and [[Arkansas Delta]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Arkansas]]. The [[County (United States)|county]] is named for [[John Randolph of Roanoke|John Randolph]], a U.S. senator from [[Virginia]] influential in obtaining congressional approval of the [[Louisiana Purchase]], which includes today's Randolph County. Created as Arkansas's 32nd county on October 29, 1835, Randolph County has two incorporated [[city|cities]], including [[Pocahontas, Arkansas|Pocahontas]], the [[county seat]] and most populous city. The county is also the site of numerous [[unincorporated communities]] and [[ghost town]]s. Crossed by five rivers, most of Randolph County contains foothills and valleys typical of the Ozarks. However, the eastern side of the county is largely flat with fertile soils typical of the Delta, with the [[Black River (Arkansas)|Black River]] roughly dividing the regions. The county contains three protected areas: [[List of Arkansas Wildlife Management Areas|two Wildlife Management Areas]] and [[Davidsonville Historic State Park]], which preserves and interprets an early pioneer settlement. Other historical features such as log cabins, one-room school houses, community centers, and museums describe the history and culture of Randolph County.

Randolph County occupies {{convert|656.04|sqmi|ha}} and contained a population of 18,571 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Randolph_County,_Arkansas?g=0500000US05121|title=Census - Geography Profile: Randolph County, Arkansas|access-date=January 21, 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.

Randolph County is served by two school districts, [[Pocahontas School District]] and [[Maynard School District]], and parts of three others. Higher education is provided at [[Black River Technical College]], a public two-year community college in Pocahontas. St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas is a [[community hospital]] providing [[primary care]] in the county. Although no [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate highways]] serve Randolph County, the county has access to three [[United States Numbered Highways|United States highways]] ([[U.S. Route 62]] [US 62], [[U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas|US 67]], and [[U.S. Route 412 in Arkansas|US 412]]) and eleven [[List of Arkansas state highways|Arkansas state highways]]. Randolph County is also served by one public owned/public use general aviation airport, [[Pocahontas Municipal Airport]], and six community water systems provide [[potable water]] to customers in the county.

==Geography==
{{See also|Geography of Arkansas|Arkansas Delta}}
Randolph County is located where the foothills of the [[Ozark Mountains]] intersect the Arkansas Delta (in Arkansas, usually referred to as "the Delta") in the southeast part of the county. Two of the six primary geographic regions of Arkansas, the Ozarks are a mountainous subdivision of the [[U.S. Interior Highlands]], and the Arkansas Delta is a subregion of the [[Mississippi Alluvial Plain]], which is a flat area consisting of rich, fertile sediment deposits from the [[Mississippi River]] between [[Louisiana]] and [[Illinois]].<ref name="eoc" >{{ Cite encyclopedia |title= Randolph County |url= http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=803 |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]] |publisher= Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System |date= January 23, 2016 |first= Derek Allen |last= Clements |access-date= December 18, 2016 }}</ref> The [[Black River (Arkansas)|Black River]] roughly divides the two regions in Randolph County.<ref name="ran">{{Cite map |author= Transportation Planning and Policy Division |publisher= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title= General Highway Map, Randolph County, Arkansas |url= http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/RandolphCounty.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922141212/http://arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/RandolphCounty.pdf |archive-date=September 22, 2010 |url-status=live |location= Little Rock |format= PDF |date= May 12, 2008 |scale= 1:62500 |access-date= December 19, 2016 }}</ref> According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|656.04|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|651.83|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.21|sqmi}} (0.6%) is water.<ref name="area" />

The county is located approximately {{convert|144|mi|km}} northeast of [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], {{convert|108|mi|km}} northwest of [[Memphis, Tennessee]], and {{convert|204|mi|km}} southwest of [[St. Louis, Missouri]].{{#tag:ref|Mileages from Randolph County to Little Rock, Memphis, and St. Louis are based on highway miles using county seat Pocahontas for Randolph County.<ref>{{cite web
  |title=Google Maps (Search for Pocahontas, AR)
  |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pocahontas,+AR+72455/@36.2663518,-91.040679,12z
  |access-date= August 28, 2016 }}</ref>
|group=Note}} Randolph County is surrounded by three Delta counties: [[Clay County, Arkansas|Clay County]] to the east, [[Greene County, Arkansas|Greene County]] to the southeast, [[Lawrence County, Arkansas|Lawrence County]] to the south, one Ozark county, [[Sharp County, Arkansas|Sharp County]], to the west, and two [[Missouri]] counties, [[Oregon County, Missouri|Oregon County]] to the northwest, and [[Ripley County, Missouri|Ripley County]] to the northeast.

===Hydrology===
{{See also|List of lakes in Randolph County, Arkansas}}
[[File:Davidsonville Historic State Park 007.jpg|right|thumb|Lake in Davidsonville Historic State Park]]
Water is an extremely important part of Randolph County's geography, history, economy, and culture. The many rivers, streams, and ditches crossing the county have featured prominently since prehistoric times, and many of the hundreds of archaeological sites are along waterways. Tribes of [[Lenape]], [[Shawnee]], and [[Cherokee]] were settled in the area along rivers but left the area following the [[1811–12 New Madrid earthquakes]].<ref name="eoc" />

Randolph County is home to five major rivers: Black River, [[Current River (Ozarks)|Current River]], [[Eleven Point River]], [[Fourche River]], and [[Spring River (Arkansas)|Spring River]].

Running from east to west toward its own mouth in the southern tip of Randolph County, the Black receives the Current River and Fourche River east of Pocahontas. The Current River serves as the northeastern county boundary with Clay County before turning southwest, passing Reyno and Biggers and meeting the Black east of Pocahontas. The Fourche River enters Randolph County near [[Doniphan, Missouri]] and runs south to meet the Black east of Pocahontas. The Black meets the Spring at the southern tip of Randolph County near [[Black Rock, Arkansas|Black Rock]].

The Spring River serves as the county's southwestern boundary with Lawrence County between Davidsonville Historic State Park and [[Ravenden, Arkansas|Ravenden]]. The Eleven Point River enters from [[Missouri]] near [[Billmore, Missouri|Billmore]] and runs south to empty into the Spring just west of the state park.

Rivers brought early prosperity to the county during white settlement for navigation. Control of the rivers and [[Pitman's Ferry]] led to military action in the county during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], including a skirmish in 1862. Following the war, natural [[mineral spring]]s purported to have healing properties attracted visitors to [[Warm Springs, Arkansas|Warm Springs]] and Ravenden Springs.

===Protected areas===
Randolph County contains one [[List of Arkansas state parks|state park]], Davidsonville Historic State Park, and two [[List of Arkansas Wildlife Management Areas|Wildlife Management Areas]] (WMAs), Dave Donaldson/Black River WMA and Robert L. Hankins/Mud Creek Upland WMA, owned by the [[Arkansas Game and Fish Commission]].

Black River WMA preserves [[bottomland hardwood forest]] habitat and [[Mississippi Flyway|wintering habitat for migratory birds]]. Created in 1957, Black River WMA contains over {{convert|25000|acre|ha}} total and extends into Clay and Greene counties.<ref>{{ cite web |title= Wildlife Management Area Details |work= Dave Donaldson Black River WMA |url= http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/wmaDetails.aspx?show=170 |publisher= Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |location= Little Rock |year= 2011 |access-date= December 28, 2016 }}</ref> Mud Creek Upland WMA was created in 1989 with {{convert|1250|acre|ha}} of [[Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest|upland hardwood forest]]. The area is open to [[birding]], hunting, and hiking.<ref>{{ cite web |title= Wildlife Management Area Details |work= R.L. Hankins Mud Creek Upland WMA |url= http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/wmaDetails.aspx?show=555 |publisher= Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |location= Little Rock |year= 2011 |access-date= December 28, 2016 }}</ref>

Davidsonville Historic State Park is a {{convert|163|acre|ha|abbr=off|adj=on}} history state park focused on the interpretation and archaeology of the abandoned frontier town of Davidsonville. Once a very important stop on the Black River and [[Southwest Trail]] within [[Arkansaw Territory]], Davidsonville was abandoned by 1836 following the decline of river transport and the shifting of the Southwest Trail. The park is owned and operated by the [[Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 2196
|1850= 3275
|1860= 6261
|1870= 7466
|1880= 11724
|1890= 14485
|1900= 17156
|1910= 18987
|1920= 17713
|1930= 16871
|1940= 18319
|1950= 15982
|1960= 12520
|1970= 12645
|1980= 16834
|1990= 16558
|2000= 18195
|2010= 17969
|2020= 18571
|estyear=2023
|estimate=18907
|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 27, 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 27, 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 27, 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 27, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2016
}}

===2020 Census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Randolph County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US05121&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 30, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 16,553
| 89.13%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 140
| 0.75%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 84
| 0.45%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 73
| 0.39%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 595
| 3.2%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 742
| 4.0%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 384
| 2.07%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 18,571 people, 7,355 households, and 4,994 families residing in the county.

===2010 Census===
{{Pie chart
 | caption= Racial/Ethnic Makeup of Randolph 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/DPDP1/0500000US05121 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=October 23, 2019 |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010, 2010 Demographic Profile Data, Randolph County, Arkansas |work=2010 United States Census |location=Washington, DC |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213040240/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US05121 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 |thumb=left
 | label1 = White Non-Hispanic
 | value1 = 95.9 | color2=#36A
 | label2 = Black Non-Hispanic
 | value2 = 0.7 | color1=#6A5
 | label3 = Native American Non-Hispanic
 | value3 = 0.5 | 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 = 1.2 | color7=#64ECDF
 | label8 = Hispanic Any Race
 | value8 = 1.6 | color8=#9400D3
 }}

As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]],<ref name="GR8" />  there were 17,969 people, 7,299 households, and 4,997 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|27|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 8,513 housing units at an average density of {{convert|13|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.5% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.7% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.7% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.4% from two or more races. 1.6% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 7,299 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

===2000 Census===
[[File:USA Randolph County, Arkansas age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|150px|Age pyramid Randolph 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 18,195 people, 7,265 households, and 5,245 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|28|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 8,268 housing units at an average density of {{convert|13|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.99% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 0.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,265 households, out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.50 males.

==Economy==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; margin-right:1em"
|+ Top employers<ref>{{cite web |url= http://randolphchamber.com/economical-development/major-employers/ |title= Major Employers |publisher= Randolph County Chamber of Commerce |access-date= December 19, 2016 }}</ref>
|-
! style="width: 3em;" |Rank
! style="width: 17em;" |Employer
! style="width: 3em;" |Employees
|-
|align="right"|1&nbsp;&nbsp;
| Peco Foods
|align="right"|500
|-
|align="right"|2&nbsp;&nbsp;
| [[Pocahontas School District]]
|align="right"|255
|-
|align="right"|3&nbsp;&nbsp;
| [[Walmart Stores Inc]]
|align="right"|212
|-
|align="right"|4&nbsp;&nbsp;
| [[Black River Technical College]]
|align="right"|200
|-
|align="right"|5&nbsp;&nbsp;
| St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center
|align="right"|180
|-
|align="right"|6&nbsp;&nbsp;
| Randolph County Nursing Home
|align="right"|170
|-
|align="right"|7&nbsp;&nbsp;
| Pocahontas Aluminum
|align="right"|129
|-
|align="right"|8&nbsp;&nbsp;
| Pocahontas Healthcare & Rehab
|align="right"|100
|-
|align="right"|9&nbsp;&nbsp;
|Above & Beyond Home Care
|align="right"|79
|-
|align="right"|10&nbsp;&nbsp;
|Maclean-Fogg
|align="right"|46
|}
{{See also|Economy of Arkansas}}
Employment by sector in Randolph County is varied, led by [[professional services]] (26.8%), government employees and government enterprises (15.8%), trade (12.8%), agriculture (11.3%), and manufacturing (9.8%).<ref>{{harvp|"Profile"|2015|p= 54}}.</ref> A rural county with several small manufacturers, Randolph County consistently has an unemployment rate above state and national averages. As of October 2015, the Randolph County unemployment rate was 5.9%, down significantly from a peak of 10.3% in 2011 during the height of the [[Great Recession]].<ref>{{ cite web |title= Labor Force |url= http://randolphchamber.com/economical-development/labor-force/ |publisher= Randolph County Chamber of Commerce |access-date= December 19, 2016 }}</ref> For comparison, the unemployment rate was 4.9% statewide<ref>{{ cite web |title= Graph: Unemployment Rate in Arkansas |publisher= Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis |url= http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?id=ARUR |date= November 2016 |access-date= December 19, 2016 }}</ref> and 5.0% in the US in October 2015.<ref>{{ cite web |title= Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey |url= https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000 |publisher= [[United States Department of Labor]], [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]] |access-date= December 19, 2016 }}</ref>

As of the 2000 Census, the median income for a household in the county was $27,583, and the median income for a family was $33,535. Males had a median income of $25,006 versus $18,182 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,502. About 11.90% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.80% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.

==Human resources==

===Education===
{{See also|Education in Arkansas}}
Educational attainment in Randolph County is typical for a rural Arkansas county, with a 2012 study finding 82.5% of Randolph County residents over age 25 held a high school degree or higher and 13.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The Randolph County rates are below Arkansas averages of 84.8% and 21.1%, and 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/PST045215/05121,05,00 |publisher= United States Census Bureau |access-date= December 19, 2016 }}</ref>

====Primary and secondary education====
[[File:Map of Randolph County Public School Districts.png|right|thumb|Public school district boundaries in Randolph County as of July 2016]]
Two public school districts are based in Randolph County; the [[Pocahontas School District]] is the largest school district in Randolph County, with the [[Maynard School District]] serving the northeast corner of the county. Successful completion of the curriculum of these schools leads to graduation from [[Pocahontas High School (Arkansas)|Pocahontas High School]] or [[Maynard High School (Arkansas)|Maynard High School]], respectively. Both high schools offer [[Advanced Placement]] (AP) courses, concurrent credit agreements with nearby [[Black River Technical College]] (BRTC), and are accredited by the [[Arkansas Department of Education]] (ADE). Additionally, Pocahontas HS is accredited by [[AdvancED]].<ref>{{ cite web |title= Pocahontas School District |url= http://www.advanc-ed.org/oasis2/u/par/accreditation/summary/pdf?institutionId=2304 |publisher= AdvancED |work= Institution Summary (Executive Summary) |date= November 29, 2013 |access-date= December 19, 2016 }}</ref>

Residents outside the two Randolph County-based districts are within either the [[Mammoth Spring School District]], [[Sloan-Hendrix School District]], [[Greene County Tech School District]], or [[Corning School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st05_ar/schooldistrict_maps/c05121_randolph/DC20SD_C05121.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Randolph County, AR|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=April 11, 2024}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st05_ar/schooldistrict_maps/c05121_randolph/DC20SD_C05121_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

====Higher education====
Randolph County contains one institution of [[higher education]], [[Black River Technical College]], a public [[community college]] in Pocahontas. Other higher education institutions in the region include two member institutions of the [[Arkansas State University System]]: [[Arkansas State University]] (ASU), a public four-year university in [[Jonesboro, Arkansas|Jonesboro]], and a public two-year [[Arkansas State University-Newport|satellite campus]] in [[Newport, Arkansas|Newport]]. Two private, four-year colleges are also near Randolph County: [[Crowley's Ridge College]], a [[Christianity|Christian]] [[liberal arts college]] in [[Paragould, Arkansas|Paragould]], and [[Williams Baptist College]] in [[Walnut Ridge, Arkansas|Walnut Ridge]].

====Library system====
The Randolph County Library (RCL) in downtown Pocahontas is a member library of the Northeast Arkansas Regional Library System. RCL offers books, [[e-book]]s, media, reference, youth, business and [[genealogy]] services.

===Public health===
Randolph County's above-average poverty rate also indicates a high [[Medicaid]] eligibility rate. As of 2012, 38.1% of Randolph County was eligible for Medicaid, with 65.1% 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 71.7% of adults and 41.2% 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-date= December 21, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161221162248/https://nccd.cdc.gov/NPAO_DTM/Default.aspx |url-status= dead }}</ref>

St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas is a [[community hospital]] offering acute inpatient care, [[emergency care]], [[diagnosis|diagnostics]], surgery, rehabilitation, therapy, and [[geriatrics|senior care]] services. The facility is rated as a [[Level 4 Trauma Center]] by the [[Arkansas Department of Health]]. [[St. Bernards Medical Center]] in Jonesboro is a [[Tertiary referral hospital|referral hospital]] in the region, focusing on heart care, cancer treatment, women's/children's services, and senior services.

The nearest [[Level 1 Trauma Center]]s are [[Le Bonheur Children's Hospital]] and Regional Medical Center, both in Memphis.<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= December 20, 2016 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120211165823/http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/injuryPreventionControl/TraumaticSystems/Pages/DesignatedTraumaCenters.aspx |archive-date= February 11, 2012 }}</ref>

===Public safety===
The Randolph County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The agency is led by the Randolph County Sheriff, an official elected by countywide vote every four years.

The county is under the jurisdiction of the Randolph County District Court, a [[Arkansas District Court|local district court]].<ref name="harvp|Directory|2016|p= 54">{{harvp|"Directory"|2016|p= 54}}.</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. Randolph County District Court is located at 1510 Pace Road in Pocahontas, and is presided over by the District Judge, who is elected in a countywide election.<ref name="harvp|Directory|2016|p= 54"/> The court handles within Randolph County.

Superseding district court jurisdiction is the [[Arkansas Circuit Courts|3rd Judicial Circuit Court]], which covers Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, and Sharp counties. The 3rd Circuit contains three circuit judges, elected to six-year terms circuitwide.<ref>{{harvp|"Directory"|2016|p= 10}}.</ref>

==Culture and contemporary life==
[[File:Front view of the Upshaw House, Dalton, Arkansas.JPG|right|thumb|Built {{circa|1826}}, the Rice-Upshaw log structure is one of the oldest buildings in Arkansas.]]
{{See also|Culture of Arkansas}}
Randolph County has several facilities, monuments, and museums dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the area. Several historic log structures remain in the county from the pioneer era. The [[Rice-Upshaw House]], an 1820s-era log cabin near Dalton, is one of the oldest structures in Arkansas. Randolph County also includes [[Hillyard Cabin]] and the [[Looney-French House]], both listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

The county contains several historic schools and community centers, including [[Cedar Grove School No. 81]], a historic [[one room schoolhouse]] now used as a community center, the [[Eddie Mae Herron Center & Museum]], a refurbished black school today serving as a community center and interpretative site, [[Old Union School (Birdell, Arkansas)|Old Union School]] in [[Birdell, Arkansas|Birdell]], and [[Ravenden Springs School]].

*Century Wall Monument, celebration of influential twentieth-century Americans
*Davidsonville Historic State Park
*[[Maynard Pioneer Museum]], celebrates the early settlers
*Old Randolph County Courthouse, restored 1875 courthouse in Pocahontas town square today used by Randolph County Chamber of Commerce

Randolph County voters approved sales of alcoholic beverages during a November 2018 election. Prior to the change taking effect in February 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2019/feb/22/arkansas-county-sells-alcohol-after-70-year-ban/|title=Arkansas county sells alcohol after 70-year ban|date=February 22, 2019|website=Arkansas Online|language=en|access-date=February 22, 2019}}</ref> Randolph County had been an alcohol prohibition or [[dry county]] for some 70 years.

==Government==
[[File:Pocahontas AR Old Courthouse.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Old Randolph County Courthouse (Arkansas)|Old Randolph County Courthouse]] in Pocahontas was the seat of county government until 1941.]]
{{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, and district boundaries are drawn by the county election commission. The Randolph County Quorum Court has nine 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.<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"
|+Randolph County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Randolph {{!}} Association of Arkansas Counties |url=https://www.arcounties.org/counties/randolph/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=www.arcounties.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Election Night Reporting |url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AR/Randolph/115829/web.307039/#/summary?v=313922/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=results.enr.clarityelections.com}}</ref><ref>https://www.arcounties.org/site/assets/files/6033/november_races.pdf</ref>
!Position
!Officeholder
!Party
|-style="background-color:#999999;
|County Judge
|Ben Wicker
|Independent
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|County Clerk
|Rhonda Blevins
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#92C5DE;
|Circuit Clerk
|Debbie Wise
|Democratic
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|Sheriff
|Kevin Bell
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|Treasurer
|Dennis Calaway
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#92C5DE;
|Collector
|Jennifer Zitzelberger
|Democratic
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|Assessor
|Krissy Massey
|Republican
|-
|Coroner
|Clyde Hackworth
|(Unknown)
|}
The composition of the Quorum Court after the 2024 elections is 7 Republicans, and 2 Democrats. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Randolph County, Arkansas, elections, 2024 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Randolph_County,_Arkansas,_elections,_2024 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref>

* District 1: Mistina Hibbard (R)
* District 2: Jill Thompson Henderson (D)
* District 3: Tony Brown (R)
* District 4: David Blevins (R)
* District 5: Doris Sharp (D)
* District 6: Darrel Nelson (R)
* District 7: Eric Bass (R)
* District 8: Roy W. Causbie (R)
* District 9: David Statler (R)

Additionally, the townships of Randolph 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=2025-04-13 |website=What is a Constable? |language=en}}</ref> The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Election Night Reporting |url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AR/Randolph/119928/web.317647/#/summary?v=333555/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=results.enr.clarityelections.com |language=en}}</ref>

* Current River: Matt Blevins (R)
* Dalton: Kevin Upshaw (R)
* Ingram: Larry Rogers (R)
* Janes Creek: Tom Dildine (D)
* Little Black: Joe Grooms (R)
* Richardson: Roudy Patton (R)
* Shiloh: Mark A. Brown (R)
* Spring River: Brad Doney (R)
* Ward 1: Victor E. Blevins (R)
* Ward 2: Druderik Adams (R)
* Ward 3: Trason S. Johnson (R)
* Warm Springs: Steve Bounds (R)
* West Roanoke: Dale A. Arnold (R)

===Politics===
Since the late 20th century, Randolph County has transitioned from reliably [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] to steady [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] in national, state and local elections. Except for the [[Anti-Catholicism in the United States|Catholic]] [[John F. Kennedy]] in 1960, major nationwide Republican victories for [[Richard Nixon]] ([[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]) and [[Ronald Reagan]] ([[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]), and the candidacy of [[Alabama]] [[List of Governors of Alabama|Governor]] [[George Wallace]] in [[1968 United States presidential election|1968]], the county supported every Democratic presidential candidate between 1896 and 2004. Randolph County then supported [[Barack Obama]]'s opponents by roughly 3-to-2 margin, and supported [[Donald Trump]] with 70.7 percent of the vote.<ref name="pol" />

{{PresHead|place=Randolph County, Arkansas|source=<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>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|5,367|1,138|131|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|5,355|1,215|242|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,509|1,425|445|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|3,701|2,046|209|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,615|2,469|235|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|3,158|3,412|97|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|2,673|3,019|185|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,789|3,213|631|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,766|3,921|627|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|2,560|2,781|77|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,188|2,507|38|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|2,579|3,070|280|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,571|4,551|0|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,578|1,525|0|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|1,237|1,367|1,610|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,312|2,680|17|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,620|1,556|102|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,117|1,763|13|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,302|1,941|11|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|377|2,139|117|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|529|1,514|6|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|474|1,687|18|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|414|1,693|3|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|206|2,021|16|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|776|1,527|8|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|389|772|47|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|652|1,412|28|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|458|1,553|0|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|264|997|308|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|517|1,348|51|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|409|838|41|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|428|1,385|11|Arkansas}}
{{PresFoot|1896|Democratic|307|1,915|4|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]], Randolph County is within the [[Arkansas's 1st congressional district|Arkansas 1st district]] with several other Ozark counties and many agricultural Delta counties on the eastern side of the state. The Arkansas 1st has been represented by [[Rick Crawford (politician)|Rick Crawford]] since [[United States House of Representatives elections in Arkansas, 2010#District 1|2010]].

In the [[Arkansas State Senate]], Randolph County is split between the 19th District and 20th District. Pocahontas and areas to the southeast are in the 20th along with Clay, Greene, Lawrence and a small portion of Craighead counties. Areas north or west of Pocahontas are in the 19th along with Izard, Sharp, Independence and a small portion of Fulton counties. The 19th has been represented by [[James Sturch]] (R) of [[Batesville, Arkansas|Batesville]] since 2019, and the 20th has been represented by [[Blake Johnson (Arkansas politician)|Blake Johnson]] (R) of [[Corning, Arkansas|Corning]] since 2015. In the [[Arkansas House of Representatives]], Randolph County is split between the 56th District, 60th District, and 61st District. The eastern part of Randolph County is in the 56th District, which also includes Clay and most of Greene counties. Portions of Randolph County generally south and west of Pocahontas are represented by the 60th District, which also includes Lawrence County, most of Izard County, and a small portion of Greene County. The remainder of Randolph County, including Pocahontas, is represented by the 61st District, along with portions of Sharp and Fulton counties. These districts are represented by [[Joe Jett]] (R, since 2014), [[Frances Cavenaugh]] (R, since 2016), and [[Marsh Davis]] (R, since 2019), respectively.<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://argis.ualr.edu/DistrictFinder/index.html |access-date= February 23, 2019 }}</ref>

Randolph County has produced some successful statewide politicians, including [[Thomas S. Drew]], Third [[Governor of Arkansas]], [[Ed Bethune|Edwin R. Bethune]], [[U.S. Representative]] from Arkansas, [[Drew Bowers]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] gubernatorial nominee in 1926 and 1928, and [[William Jasper Blackburn]], a [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]] [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from [[Louisiana]].

===Taxation===
{{See also|Taxation in the United States}}
[[Property tax]] is assessed by the Randolph 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 Randolph County Collector between the first business day of March of each year through October 15 without penalty. The Randolph 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 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161223132933/http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/exciseTax/salesanduse/Pages/StateTaxRates.aspx |archive-date= December 23, 2016 }}</ref> Randolph County has an additional sales and use tax of 1.25%, which has been in effect since January 1, 1999. Within Randolph County, the City of Pocahontas has an additional 2% sales and use tax since October 1, 2013, and the Town of Maynard an additional 1.5% sales and use tax since April 1, 2012.<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= December 19, 2016 }}</ref> The [[Arkansas State Treasurer]] disburses tax revenue to counties/cities in accordance with tax rules.

==Communities==
Two incorporated cities and four incorporated towns are located within the county. The largest city and county seat, Pocahontas, is located in the south-central part of the county on the Black River. Pocahontas' population in 2010 was 6,608, and has been increasing since the 1960 Census. The county's small towns all have a population under 500 as of the 2010 Census, with [[Ravenden Springs, Arkansas|Ravenden Springs]] the smallest at 118 in western Randolph County. The remaining communities are in the Delta portion of the county: [[Maynard, Arkansas|Maynard]] north of Pocahontas, [[Biggers, Arkansas|Biggers]] and [[Reyno, Arkansas|Reyno]] (the other city) along US&nbsp;67 near the county's eastern border, and [[O'Kean, Arkansas|O'Kean]] in the southeastern corner.<ref name="ran" />

Randolph 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. For example, communities like Davidsonville had a post office and dozens of 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.
Ravenden Springs

===Cities===
* [[Pocahontas, Arkansas|Pocahontas]] (County Seat)
* [[Reyno, Arkansas|Reyno]]

===Towns===
* [[Biggers, Arkansas|Biggers]]
* [[Maynard, Arkansas|Maynard]]
* [[O'Kean, Arkansas|O'Kean]]
* [[Ravenden Springs, Arkansas|Ravenden Springs]]

===Unincorporated communities===
[[File:Davidsonville Historic State Park 004.jpg|right|thumb|A "ghost structure" in Davidsonville Historic State Park. The park preserves and interprets the history of one of Arkansas's earliest settlements, which was abandoned by the 1830s.]]
{{div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Antioch, Randolph County, Arkansas|Antioch]]
* [[Attica, Arkansas|Attica]]
* [[Birdell, Arkansas|Birdell]]
* [[Brakebill, Arkansas|Brakebill]]
* [[Brockett, Arkansas|Brockett]]
* [[Cedar Grove, Arkansas|Cedar Grove]]
* [[Dalton, Arkansas|Dalton]]
* [[Dunn, Arkansas|Dunn]]
* [[East Pocahontas, Arkansas|East Pocahontas]]
* [[Elevenpoint, Arkansas|Elevenpoint]]
* [[Elkins Park, Arkansas|Elkins Park]]
* [[Elm Store, Arkansas|Elm Store]]
* [[Elnora, Arkansas|Elnora]]
* [[Engelberg, Arkansas|Engelberg]]
* [[Fender, Arkansas|Fender]]
* [[Glaze Creek, Arkansas|Glaze Creek]]
* [[Gravesville, Arkansas|Gravesville]]
* [[Hamil, Arkansas|Hamil]]
* [[Hoover Landing, Arkansas|Hoover Landing]]
* [[Ingram, Arkansas|Ingram]]
* [[Jerrett, Arkansas|Jerrett]]
* [[Lesterville, Arkansas|Lesterville]]
* [[Lorine, Arkansas|Lorine]]
* [[Manson, Arkansas|Manson]]
* [[Middlebrook, Arkansas|Middlebrook]]
* [[Minorca, Arkansas|Minorca]]
* [[Noland, Arkansas|Noland]]
* [[Old Reyno, Arkansas|Old Reyno]]
* [[Old Siloam, Arkansas|Old Siloam]]
* [[Palestine, Randolph County, Arkansas|Palestine]]
* [[Pitman, Arkansas|Pitman]]
* [[Shannon, Arkansas|Shannon]]
* [[Sharum, Arkansas|Sharum]]
* [[Skaggs, Arkansas|Skaggs]]
* [[Stokes, Arkansas|Stokes]]
* [[Stoney Point, Arkansas|Stoney Point]]
* [[Supply, Arkansas|Supply]]
* [[Warm Springs, Arkansas|Warm Springs]]
* [[Washington, Randolph County, Arkansas|Washington]]
{{div col end}}

===Historical communities===
{{div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Baker Den, Arkansas|Baker Den]]
* [[Davidsonville, Arkansas|Davidsonville]]
* [[Debrow, Arkansas|Debrow]]
* [[Keller, Arkansas|Keller]]
* [[Kingsville, Arkansas|Kingsville]]
* [[Mock, Arkansas|Mock]]
* [[Oconee, Arkansas|Oconee]]
* [[Poluca, Arkansas|Poluca]]
* [[Running Lake, Arkansas|Running Lake]]
* [[Watervalley, Arkansas|Watervalley]]
* [[Yadkin, Arkansas|Yadkin]]
{{div col end}}

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

{{Arkansas Townships About|County = Randolph}}<ref>
{{Cite map
 | publisher = U. S. Census Bureau
 | title = 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Randolph County, AR
 | url = http://www2.census.gov/geo/pvs/bas/bas11/st05_ar/cou/c05121_randolph/BAS11C20512100000_000.pdf
 | access-date = August 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/block/2010/cousub/dc10blk_st05_cousub.html#R | title = Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date = May 29, 2014}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Baker Township, Randolph County, Arkansas|Baker]]
* Bristow
* Butler
* Columbia
* Current River ([[Biggers, Arkansas|Biggers]])
* Dalton
* Demun ([[Pocahontas, Arkansas|Pocahontas]])
* East Roanoke
* Eleven Point
* Foster
* Ingram
* [[Jackson Township, Randolph County, Arkansas|Jackson]]
* Janes Creek ([[Ravenden Springs, Arkansas|Ravenden Springs]])
* Little Black
* O'Kean ([[O'Kean, Arkansas|O'Kean]])
* Reyno ([[Reyno, Arkansas|Reyno]])
* Richardson ([[Maynard, Arkansas|Maynard]])
* Running Lake
* Shiloh
* Siloam
* Spring River
* Union
* Warm Springs
* Water Valley
* West Roanoke
* Wiley
{{div col end}}

==Infrastructure==

===Aviation===
Randolph County contains one public owned/public use [[general aviation]] airport, [[Pocahontas Municipal Airport]] (Nick Wilson Field) in Pocahontas. For the twelve-month period ending August 31, 2014, the facility saw 7,000 general aviation operations.<ref>{{FAA-airport|ID=M70|use=PU|own=PU|site=00871.11*A}}. [[Federal Aviation Administration]]. Accessed December 21, 2016.</ref> The nearest commercial service airport is [[Memphis International Airport]].

===Major highways===
[[File:Highway 361 near Davidsonville Historic State Park.jpg|right|thumb|Highway 361 near Davidsonville Historic State Park]]
Randolph County is not served by any Interstate highways; the nearest access to the Interstate system is [[Interstate 555]] (I-555) in Jonesboro. The county does serve as a junction for several US highways, with US&nbsp;62 crossing the county from east to west. This highway runs across much of northern Arkansas, giving Randolph County access to [[Mountain Home, Arkansas|Mountain Home]], [[Harrison, Arkansas|Harrison]], [[Eureka Springs, Arkansas|Eureka Springs]], and [[Fayetteville, Arkansas|Fayetteville]] to the west. US&nbsp;62 intersects US&nbsp;67 in Pocahontas, forming a two route overlap to the northeast toward [[Poplar Bluff, Missouri]]. US&nbsp;67 runs south from Pocahontas to [[Walnut Ridge, Arkansas|Walnut Ridge]], where it becomes a [[controlled-access highway]] running south to [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], the state capital.<ref name="ahtd">{{Cite map |author= Transportation Planning and Policy Division |publisher= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title= Arkansas State Highway Map |url= http://www.arkansashighways.com/Trans_Plan_Policy/mapping_graphics/2016%202017/statehwymap_front16-17.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227130000/http://www.arkansashighways.com/Trans_Plan_Policy/mapping_graphics/2016%202017/statehwymap_front16-17.pdf |archive-date=December 27, 2016 |url-status=live |location= Little Rock |format= PDF |year= 2016–2017 |access-date= December 26, 2016 }}</ref> (US&nbsp;67 will be upgraded to [[Interstate 57]] (I-57) in the future from the Missouri state line to Little Rock.) A short [[U.S. Route 67 Business (Biggers, Arkansas)|business spur of US&nbsp;67]] connects Biggers to the state highway system.

Eleven [[List of Arkansas state highways|state highways]] serve the traveling public in the county, varying from short connector routes to long highways traversing the entire county. [[Arkansas Highway 34|Highway&nbsp;34]] and [[Highway 90 (Arkansas)|Highway&nbsp;90]] run east–west across the county, with the latter connecting Ravenden Springs to Pocahontas. [[Arkansas Highway 93|Highway&nbsp;93]], [[Arkansas Highway 115|Highway&nbsp;115]], [[Arkansas Highway 166|Highway&nbsp;166]], and [[Arkansas Highway 251|Highway&nbsp;251]] all run north to the Missouri state line to connect with [[Missouri State Highway System|Missouri state routes]]. [[Arkansas Highway 328|Highway&nbsp;328]] connects Maynard to state highways to the east and west. A second segment of Highway&nbsp;166 and [[Arkansas Highway 361|Highway&nbsp;361]] connect Davidsonville Historic State Park to nearby population centers. [[Arkansas Highway 304|Highway 304]] connects Pocahontas to [[Delaplaine, Arkansas|Delaplaine]], with a short [[alternate route]], [[Arkansas Highway 304#Alternate route|Highway&nbsp;304N]] running around Pocahontas Municipal Airport. Two instances of [[Arkansas Highway 231|Highway&nbsp;231]] serve as connectors between other major state highways.<ref name="ran" />

===Utilities===
{{See also|List of public utilities in Arkansas}}
The [[Arkansas Department of Health]] (ADH) is responsible for the regulation and oversight of public water systems throughout the state. Randolph County contains six community water systems: Biggers Water Department, City of Maynard, O'Kean Water System, Pocahontas Water and Sewer, Ravenden Springs Waterworks, Reyno Water Department, as well as portions of Clay County Regional Water Distribution District (CCRWDD), Northeast Arkansas Public Water Authority (NEAPWA), and Lawrence County Regional Water District. Pocahontas W&S has the largest retail population in the county (7,547), with all others under 500 accounts served. Of the water systems serving Randolph County, only Pocahontas and NEAPWA use surface water (the Black River and Spring River, respectively)<ref>{{ cite web |publisher= Arkansas Department of Health |year= 2015 |title= Pocahontas Water and Sewer Annual Drinking Water Quality Report |url= http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/eng/ccr/451.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222152323/http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/eng/ccr/451.pdf |archive-date=December 22, 2016 |url-status=live |work= Consumer Confidence Report |location= Little Rock |access-date= December 21, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite web |publisher= Arkansas Department of Health |year= 2015 |title= Northeast Arkansas Public Water Authority Annual Drinking Water Quality Report |url= http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/eng/ccr/1070.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222083525/http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/eng/ccr/1070.pdf |archive-date=December 22, 2016 |url-status=live |work= Consumer Confidence Report |location= Little Rock |access-date= December 21, 2016 }}</ref> for source water; all others use groundwater wells or purchase from neighboring utilities.<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= December 5, 2016 }}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Joseph J. Alexander]], Randolph County's first representative at Arkansas' first State Assembly after becoming a state. He was killed December 4, 1837, by the Speaker of the House, John Wilson, during a knife fight on the floor of the assembly chamber.
*[[George Nicholas Wilson|George Nicholas 'Nick' Wilson]] (1942 - ), former Arkansas lawyer and political leader who served in the Arkansas Senate for almost 30 years.

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Randolph County, Arkansas]]

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

==References==
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}
{{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= December 14, 2016 |location= Little Rock |url= https://courts.arkansas.gov/sites/default/files/Judicial%20Directory.pdf |access-date= December 26, 2016 |ref= {{harvid|"Directory"|2016}} |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.randolphchamber.com Randolph County Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://www.seerandolphcounty.com Randolph County Tourism Association]
*[http://www.randolphcountysheriff.org/ Randolph County Sheriff's Office]

{{Geographic Location
| Centre    = Randolph County, Arkansas
| North     =
| Northeast = [[Ripley County, Missouri]]
| East      = [[Clay County, Arkansas|Clay County]]
| Southeast = [[Greene County, Arkansas|Greene County]]
| South     = [[Lawrence County, Arkansas|Lawrence County]]
| Southwest =
| West      = [[Sharp County, Arkansas|Sharp County]]
| Northwest = [[Oregon County, Missouri]]
}}

{{Randolph County, Arkansas}}
{{Arkansas}}

{{coord|36|20|41|N|91|00|46|W|region:US-AR_type:adm2nd_source:dewiki|display=title}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Randolph County, Arkansas| ]]
[[Category:1835 establishments in Arkansas Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1835]]