Jackson County, Arkansas

Jackson County Education, Geography, and History

Jackson County is a county located in the state of Arkansas. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 17,997. The county seat is Newport. Jackson County is Arkansas's 23rd county, formed on November 5, 1829. The county is named for Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States. Jackson was nearing the end of his second term when Arkansas was admitted to the Union in 1836.

Jackson County is represented in the Arkansas State Senate by the Republican Ronald R. Caldwell, a real estate businessman from Wynne in Cross County.

Etymology - Origin of Jackson County Name

Jackson county is named for Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 - June 8, 1845) was the seventh President of the United States (1829-1837). He was military governor of Florida (1821), commander of the American forces at the Battle of New Orleans (1815), and eponym of the era of Jacksonian democracy. He was a polarizing figure who dominated American politics in the 1820s and 1830s. His political ambition combined with widening political participation by more people shaped the modern Democratic Party. Renowned for his toughness, he was nicknamed "Old Hickory". As he based his career in developing Tennessee, Jackson was the first President primarily associated with the frontier.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Jackson County History

Jackson county was created in November 5, 1829, from part of Independence County, in which it was named after Andrew Jackson, then first-term president of the United States. Newport is the county seat. The County Seat has been changed five times. Litchfield (1831) Elizabeth (1839), Augusta (1852), Jackson port (1854) and Newport (1892).  The economy of the county is agricultural, chiefly, rice, soybeans, corn, milo, beef cattle, and catfish. The other industries are, aluminum, wood products, manufactured goods and food processing are active. The White River, running across the southwestern part of the county, is one of the premier trout streams in the South.  In June each year a port fest, rollin' on the River Festival, is held and has been recognized as one of the top 100 festivals in the nation. Family fun and entertainment overflow. Many tourists visit this area each year.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 642 square miles (1,660 km²), of which 634 square miles (1,640 km²) is land and 7.6 square miles (20 km²) (1.2%) is water.

 The landscape of Jackson County is rich delta farmland in the north, central, and south and rolling hills in the extreme western part. The Black River forms the western boundary and offers good cat fishing. The Wildlife Management Area, with acres of bottomland shared by four other counties, offers hunting that is popular to this area.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• North: Lawrence County
• Northeast: Craighead County
• East: Poinsett County
• Southeast: Cross County
• South: Woodruff County
• Southwest: White County
• Northwest: Independence County

Education

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