Boone County, Arkansas

Boone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population was 33,948. The county seat is Harrison. Boone County was formed on April 9, 1869. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

History

Boone County was formed from the eastern portion of Carroll County. Contrary to popular belief, it was not named for Daniel Boone. Its original name was Boon, so named because the residents believed it would be a "boon" to all who settled there. The final e was added later.

Geography

The county is located in the northwest portion of the state, and borders Missouri to the north. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,559 km² (602 mi²). 1,531 km² (591 mi²) of it is land and 28 km² (11 mi²) of it (1.77%) is water.

The county lies entirely within the Ozark Mountains. Rolling hills characterize the topography, with the more rugged Boston Mountains lying just to the south. Isolated peaks of the Boston Mountain range are found in the south, including Boat Mountain, Pilot's Knob, and Gaither Mountain. Portions of Bull Shoals Lake and Table Rock Lake lie in the northeast and northwest corners, respectively. The Corps of Engineers operates and maintains popular campsites on the lakes at Lead Hill and Cricket Creek. Crooked Creek, popular with bass fishermen, winds through the county from south to east.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 33,948 people, 13,851 households, and 9,861 families residing in the county. The population density was 22/km² (57/mi²). There were 15,426 housing units at an average density of 10/km² (26/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.60% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,851 households out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.60% 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 2.41 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,988, and the median income for a family was $34,974. Males had a median income of $27,114 versus $19,229 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,175. About 10.70% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.00% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.