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Baxter County, Arkansas

Baxter County is a county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 41,627.[2] The county seat is Mountain Home.[3] It is Arkansas's 66th county, formed on March 24, 1873, and named for Elisha Baxter, the tenth governor of Arkansas.

Baxter County
Clockwise from top: Buffalo River at Buffalo City, the 1825 Jacob Wolf House at Norfork, Cotter Bridge over the White River at sunset, Baxter County courthouse in Mountain Home
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Arkansas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°18′25″N 92°21′17″W / 36.3069°N 92.3547°W / 36.3069; -92.3547
Country United States
State Arkansas
FoundedMarch 24, 1873
Named forElisha Baxter
SeatMountain Home
Largest cityMountain Home
Area
 • Total586.74 sq mi (1,519.6 km2)
 • Land554.36 sq mi (1,435.8 km2)
 • Water32.38 sq mi (83.9 km2)  5.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total41,627
 • Density71/sq mi (27/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
WebsiteBaxter County government's website

The Mountain Home, AR, Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Baxter County. It is in the northern part of the state, bordering Missouri. It is commonly referred to as the Twin Lakes Area because it is bordered by two of Arkansas' largest lakes, Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake. On its southern border is the White River, Norfork Tailwater and the Buffalo National River.

Mountain Home, a small town whose origins date back to the early 19th century, is located in north-central Arkansas on a plateau in the Ozark Mountains. The natural environment of nearby Norfork and Bull Shoals lakes and the surrounding countryside has attracted tourists from around the country for many years.[4] Educational institutions have also played a role in the life of the community.[5]

History edit

Baxter County was created by the 19th Arkansas General Assembly on March 24, 1873 from parts of Fulton, Izard, Marion, and Searcy counties. It was named for Elisha Baxter, who was governor of Arkansas at the time. The small community of Mountain Home was named temporary county seat; and was later named permanent county seat.[6]

In 1945, Baxter County voted to take the county "dry"—liquor sales prohibited—in 1945 by a vote of 548 to 432. The liquor sales prohibition was overturned in 1978 in the heaviest voter turnout in county history to that date, with 6,175 for the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors and 5,991 against. A narrow margin of 184 votes took the county "wet".[7]

Geography edit

Baxter County is located within the Salem Plateau, a subregion of the Ozark Mountains. Land near Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake, and along the White River are within the White River Hills subregion, known for steep, rocky soils, spring-fed mountain streams, and oak-hickory-pine forest. Eastern Baxter County and a small area around Mountain Home are within the Central Plateau subregion, known for comparatively flatter terrain more suited for hayfields, pastures, and housing, as well as karst.[8]

The county has a total area of 586.74 square miles (1,519.6 km2), of which 554.36 square miles (1,435.8 km2) is land and 32.38 square miles (83.9 km2) (5.5%) is water.[1]

The county is located approximately 110 miles (180 km) southeast of Springfield, Missouri, 152 miles (245 km) north of Little Rock, and 246 miles (396 km) southwest of St. Louis, Missouri.[Note 1] Baxter County is surrounded by sparsely populated Ozark counties on all sides: Fulton County to the east, Izard County to the southeast, Stone County to the south, Searcy County to the southwest, Marion County to the west, and Ozark County, Missouri to the north.

Hydrology edit

 
Norfork Tailwater, known for trout fishing

Baxter County is within the White River watershed. The river has several important milestones in Baxter County: beginning along the western boundary of Baxter County, the White River is impounded to form the Bull Shoals Lake reservoir by Bull Shoals Dam, which spans the Baxter-Marion county line. South of the dam, the White River forms the western boundary of Baxter-Marion county line until Buffalo City, when the Buffalo National River empties into the White, with the White continuing across Baxter County from west to east. South of Salesville, the North Fork of White River empties into the White via the Norfork Tailwater downstream of Norfork Dam.[10] Within the county, Barren Fork, Big Creek, Bruce Creek, Hightower Creek, Leatherwood Creek, and Moccasin Creek are important watercourses.[11]

Protected areas edit

Baxter County contains a small section of the Buffalo National River near Buffalo City where the river empties into the White River. Almost all land in Baxter County south of the White River is part of the Ozark National Forest. Within this area, a subdivision of the Ozark National Forest known as the Leatherwood Wilderness is located along Highway 341 (Push Mountain Road). Another part of the Ozark National Forest is also protected in the Sylamore Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The WMA is known as a destination for hiking, fishing, and hunting wild turkey, bear, squirrel, and deer. Camping is available at Blanchard Springs Caverns, Gunner Pool, and Barkshed areas and a gun range is open to the public.[12] The Ozark Highlands Trail passes through the Leatherwood Wilderness and Sylamore WMA.

The Bull Shoals-White River State Park is along the downstream shoreline of Bull Shoals Lake at the Bull Shoals Dam. The park contains campgrounds, a marina, and visitor center. The dam tailwater is well known for trout fishing.

Norfork Lake WMA is a series of protected walk-in hunting areas along Lake Norfork covered in hardwood forest with some pine and ranging topography. The four Baxter County units are Indian Head Unit, Chapin Point Unit, Seward Point Unit, and the Bennett's Creek Unit. The WMA is managed for deer, turkey and small game and attracts waterfowl during migration.[13]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18806,004
18908,52742.0%
19009,2989.0%
191010,38911.7%
192010,216−1.7%
19309,519−6.8%
194010,2818.0%
195011,68313.6%
19609,943−14.9%
197015,31954.1%
198027,40978.9%
199031,18613.8%
200038,38623.1%
201041,5138.1%
202041,6270.3%
2023 (est.)42,875[14]3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790–1960[16] 1900–1990[17]
1990–2000[18] 2010–2016[19]

2020 census edit

Racial/Ethnic Makeup of Baxter County treating Hispanics as a Separate Category (2020)[20]

  White Non-Hispanic (91.4%)
  Black Non-Hispanic (0.21%)
  Native American Non-Hispanic (0.52%)
  Asian Non-Hispanic (0.56%)
  Pacific Islander Non-Hispanic (0.02%)
  Other Non-Hispanic (0.002%)
  Two or more races Non-Hispanic (4.73%)
  Hispanic Any Race (2.54%)

As of the 2020 census, there were 41,627 people and 18,936 households in the county. The population density was 71 people per square mile (27 people/km2). There were 22,699 housing units at an average density of 39 units per square mile (15 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.5% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0002% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 5.3% from two or more races. 2.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 18,936 households, out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, and 26.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 17.5% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 18.6% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 31.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.[21]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,504, and the median income for a family was $52,342.[22]

2010 census edit

As of 2010 Baxter County had a population of 41,513. The racial makeup was 95.96% Non-Hispanic whites, 0.16% blacks, 0.56% Native Americans, 0.41% Asians, 0.04% Pacific Islanders, 1.25% Non-Hispanics reporting more than one race and 1.66% Hispanic or Latino.

2000 census edit

 
Age pyramid Baxter County[23]

As of the 2000 census,[24] there were 38,386 people, 17,052 households, and 11,799 families residing in the county. The population density was 69 people per square mile (27 people/km2). There were 19,891 housing units at an average density of 36 units per square mile (14 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.81% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 17,052 households, out of which 22.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.00% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 21.10% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 26.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,106, and the median income for a family was $34,578. Males had a median income of $25,976 versus $18,923 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,859. About 7.90% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.70% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Human resources edit

Education edit

The 2019 American Community Survey found 88.7% of Baxter County residents over age 25 held a high school degree or higher and 17.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Baxter County exceeded statewide and nationwide averages for high school attainment (86.6% and 88.0%, respectively), but lags far behind on bachelor's degree attainment (23.0% and 32.1%, respectively).[25]

Primary and secondary education edit

Three public school districts are based in Baxter County; Mountain Home School District is the largest school district in Baxter County, with Cotter School District serving the Cotter-Gassville area and the Norfork School District serving the southeast side of the county. Successful completion of the curriculum of these schools leads to graduation from Mountain Home High School, Cotter High School, or Norfork High School respectively. All three high schools are accredited by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). Small areas in Baxter County are served by the Viola School District and Calico Rock School District.

Higher education edit

The lone institution of higher education in Baxter County is Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH), a public community college. Other nearby institutions include Ozarka College in Melbourne and North Arkansas College in Harrison.

Libraries edit

 
Donald W. Reynolds Library

The Donald W. Reynolds Library serving Baxter County was opened in September 2010 at 300 Library Hill in Mountain Home. The library offers books, e-books, media, reference, programs, youth, special collections, and genealogy services.

Public health edit

Baxter Health in Mountain Home offers acute inpatient care, emergency care, diagnostics, surgery, OB/GYN, rehabilitation, therapy, and senior care services.[26] The facility is rated as a Level 3 Trauma Center by the Arkansas Department of Health.

The nearest Level 1 Trauma Centers are CoxHealth and Mercy Hospital Springfield, both in Springfield, Missouri.[27]

Public safety edit

The Baxter County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The agency is led by the Baxter County Sheriff, an official elected by countywide vote every four years. Police departments in Cotter, Gassville, Lakeview, and Mountain Home provide law enforcement in their respective jurisdictions, with remaining municipalities contracting with the Baxter County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services.

The county is under the jurisdiction of the Baxter County District Court, a state district court.[28] State district courts in Arkansas are courts of original jurisdiction for criminal, civil, and traffic matters.[29] State district courts are presided over by an elected full-time judge. The district court has seven departments, one in each municipality of Baxter County.[28]

Superseding district court jurisdiction is the 14th Judicial Circuit Court, which covers Baxter, Boone, Marion, and Newton counties. The 14th Circuit contains four circuit judges, elected to six-year terms circuitwide.[30]

Fire protection is provided by nineteen agencies in Baxter County, together covering the entire county except areas within the major lakes. Cotter, Gassville, Norfork, and Mountain Home, each provide fire protection, in some cases extending beyond corporate limits. Rural areas are served by the Buford Volunteer, Clarkridge Volunteer, Cotter-Gassville Rural, Gamaliel, Grover Township, Hand Cove Fire Protection District, Henderson, Lone Rock Volunteer, Midway Volunteer, Northeast Lakeside, Oakland-Promise Land Volunteer, Rodney Volunteer, Salesville, Tracy Area, and the United States Forest Service.[31]

Culture and contemporary life edit

 
Completion of the Cotter Bridge brought transportation to an insular area of the Ozark Mountains

Baxter County has several facilities, monuments, and museums dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the area. Perhaps one of the most recognizable and important historic structures in Baxter County is the Cotter Bridge over the White River. Upon opening in 1930, the bridge opened Baxter County and north Arkansas to economic development and tourism by providing reliable transportation across the White River.

Two facilities interpret the county's history and heritage: the Jacob Wolf House, a historic log cabin built in 1825, is operated as a historic house museum by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, and the Baxter County Heritage Center, located in the former Rollins Hospital in downtown Gassville. Five National Register of Historic Places (NRHP, complete county list) properties in the county relate to the history of education: Buford School Building, Cold Water School, and the Horace Mann School Historic District, as well as Big Flat School Gymnasium, Old Cotter High School Gymnasium. Several buildings are preserved for connections to the county's economic and cultural history: Baxter County Courthouse, the Sid Hutcheson Building in Norfork, and several structures in the Mountain Home Commercial Historic District.

Annual cultural events edit

Trout fishing enthusiasts visit the White River in Baxter County year-round,[32] with several annual events also celebrating trout fishing: the Cotter Trout Festival in Big Spring Park and the Sowbug Roundup at the Baxter County Fairgrounds are held in May,[33][34] and the Southern Council Federation of Flyfishers Fair is held on campus at ASUMH in September.[35]

The Mountain Home Farmer's Market operates on the downtown square on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April–November.[36] The Baxter County Fair is one of the most well-attended in Arkansas, and begins with a popular parade through downtown Mountain Home.[37] Norfork Pioneer Days Heritage Festival is held annually on the third Saturday in May at the Jacob Wolf House.

The David's Trail Endurance Run was founded in 2017 as an ultramarathon around Lake Norfork in January.[38]

Media edit

The county newspaper is The Baxter Bulletin, a daily newspaper established in Mountain Home in 1901.

Baxter County is within the Springfield, Missouri designated market area with the following local TV stations: KYTV (NBC, 33.1 ABC, 33.2 CW SD), KOLR (CBS), KOZK (PBS), KOZL-TV, KWBM, KSPR-LD (ABC), KBNS-CD, and KRBK (Fox).[39]

The county is home to four FM radio stations: KCMH (FM) (91.5 FM, "Keep Christ Most High"), KKTZ (107.5 FM), KTLO-FM (97.9 FM), and KPFM (FM) (105.5 MHz),[40] and one AM radio station: KTLO (AM) (1240 AM).[41]

Government and politics edit

 
Quorum court meets in the second floor courtroom at the Baxter County Courthouse

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 Baxter County Election Commission. The Baxter County Quorum Court has eleven members.[42] 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.[43][44]

In the Arkansas Senate, Baxter County is within the 23rd District. The district contains Marion County and parts of Boone, Fulton, and Izard counties, and has been represented by Scott Flippo (R) since 2015. In the Arkansas House of Representatives, Baxter County is split among three districts: the 3rd District (Stetson Painter, R, since 2023), the 4th District (Jack Fortner, R, since 2023), and the 27th (Steven Walker, R, since 2023).[45]

United States presidential election results for Baxter County, Arkansas[46]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 15,836 75.38% 4,635 22.06% 536 2.55%
2016 14,682 74.28% 4,169 21.09% 915 4.63%
2012 13,688 70.78% 5,172 26.74% 479 2.48%
2008 12,852 64.32% 6,539 32.73% 590 2.95%
2004 11,128 60.05% 7,129 38.47% 273 1.47%
2000 9,538 57.09% 6,516 39.00% 654 3.91%
1996 6,877 44.35% 6,703 43.23% 1,925 12.42%
1992 5,640 35.85% 6,991 44.44% 3,101 19.71%
1988 8,614 63.35% 4,808 35.36% 175 1.29%
1984 10,870 69.84% 4,528 29.09% 166 1.07%
1980 9,684 63.93% 4,789 31.62% 674 4.45%
1976 5,885 50.51% 5,766 49.49% 0 0.00%
1972 6,754 70.65% 2,677 28.00% 129 1.35%
1968 3,401 49.53% 1,952 28.43% 1,513 22.04%
1964 1,986 40.61% 2,900 59.29% 5 0.10%
1960 2,108 54.34% 1,694 43.67% 77 1.99%
1956 1,721 53.92% 1,451 45.46% 20 0.63%
1952 1,387 49.66% 1,388 49.70% 18 0.64%
1948 553 31.42% 1,098 62.39% 109 6.19%
1944 572 41.69% 796 58.02% 4 0.29%
1940 489 36.09% 859 63.39% 7 0.52%
1936 375 32.47% 773 66.93% 7 0.61%
1932 194 15.47% 1,039 82.85% 21 1.67%
1928 504 42.71% 665 56.36% 11 0.93%
1924 301 27.29% 640 58.02% 162 14.69%
1920 484 38.38% 707 56.07% 70 5.55%
1916 318 25.81% 914 74.19% 0 0.00%
1912 142 14.26% 536 53.82% 318 31.93%
1908 300 30.74% 607 62.19% 69 7.07%
1904 236 34.40% 426 62.10% 24 3.50%
1900 287 28.28% 723 71.23% 5 0.49%
1896 262 21.06% 980 78.78% 2 0.16%

Taxation edit

Property tax is assessed by the Baxter 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 Baxter County Collector between the first business day of March of each year through October 15th without penalty. The Baxter 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 and use tax has been 6.5% since July 1, 2013.[47] Baxter County has an additional sales and use tax of 1.25% since January 1, 2019. Within Baxter County, the City of Mountain Home has had an additional 2.125% sales and use tax since July 1, 2021, and Cotter has had an additional 2% since January 1, 2022, with the remaining incorporated communities having 1.00% sales and use tax rates.[48] The Arkansas State Treasurer disburses tax revenue to counties/cities in accordance with tax rules.

Communities edit

Seven incorporated cities and one town are located within the county. The largest city and county seat is Mountain Home, located centrally between Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Norfork. Mountain Home had a population of 12,825 at the 2020 census and is the focal point of the Mountain Home, AR, Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Baxter County. Cotter and Gassville are located west of Mountain Home. Briarcliff, Norfork, and Salesville are small towns with populations under 1,000 south of Mountain Home. Lakeview is a small municipality on Bull Shoals Lake. The small town of Big Flat is located in the southern part of Baxter County, and partly in Searcy County.

The United States Census Bureau has also designated four unincorporated communities as Census-designated places: Gamaliel and Henderson near Norfork Lake, Buffalo City near the Buffalo National River, and Midway between Mountain Home and Lakeview.

Other unincorporated communities edit

Baxter 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. Some communities, including Bennett's, Cumi, Custer, and Hand were inundated during creation of Lake Norfork.[49] For example, communities like Clarkridge and Monkey Run had a post office or other buildings at some point in their history. Other communities are simply a few dwellings at a crossroads, or a residential area near a cove or point on the lake 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.

  • Advance
  • Amos
  • Arkana
  • Arkawana
  • Buford
  • Cartney
  • Colfax
  • County Line
  • Culp
  • Diamond Bay
  • Dogwood Park
  • Fawn Park
  • Heritage Estates
  • Holiday Hills
  • Hopewell
  • Jordan
  • Kingswood Estates
  • Lakeside Terrace
  • Lone Rock
  • Mallard Point
  • McPhearson
  • Norfork Lake Estates
  • Norfork Village
  • Old Joe
  • Rodney
  • Shady Grove
  • Shipp
  • Spring Lake Estates
  • Sycamore Heights
  • Sycamore Spring
  • Three Brothers
  • Timber Lake Manor
  • Whiteville
  • Woods Point Landing

Historic communities edit

  • Berry
  • Casteel
  • Chastain
  • Conville
  • Covey
  • Herron
  • Independence
  • Jonesdale
  • Laytonville
  • Spencer
  • Wake

Townships edit

 
Townships in Baxter County, Arkansas, as of 2010

Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions"). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications. The townships of Baxter County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. [50][51]

Township FIPS code ANSI code
(GNIS ID)
Population
center(s)
Pop.
(2010)
Pop.
density
(/mi2)
Pop.
density
(/km2)
Land area
(mi2)
Land area
(km2)
Water area
(mi2)
Water area
(km2)
Geographic coordinates
Bayou 05-90165 00069555 360 13.90 5.37 25.900 67.08 1.045 2.707 36°28′04″N 92°12′34″W / 36.467714°N 92.209491°W / 36.467714; -92.209491
Big Flat 05-90288 00069556 Big Flat 198 4.15 1.6 47.761 123.7 0.021 0.05439 36°01′36″N 92°21′31″W / 36.026753°N 92.358551°W / 36.026753; -92.358551
Buckhorn 05-90525 00069557 Briarcliff, Norfork, Salesville 969 58.71 22.67 16.504 42.75 0.739 1.914 36°14′15″N 92°17′29″W / 36.237454°N 92.291449°W / 36.237454; -92.291449
Buford 05-90540 00069558 1295 32.86 12.69 39.415 102.1 0.553 1.432 36°13′57″N 92°25′06″W / 36.232621°N 92.418200°W / 36.232621; -92.418200
Greenwood 05-91524 00069559 164 4.32 1.67 37.929 98.24 0.300 0.7770 36°06′36″N 92°15′22″W / 36.110093°N 92.256098°W / 36.110093; -92.256098
Grover 05-91548 00069560 Lakeview, Midway 2438 186.23 71.92 13.091 33.91 2.123 5.499 36°22′49″N 92°31′47″W / 36.380141°N 92.529738°W / 36.380141; -92.529738
Independence 05-91818 00069561 Midway, Mountain Home 1891 59.06 32.3 32.018 82.93 0.027 0.06993 36°21′09″N 92°28′29″W / 36.352625°N 92.474704°W / 36.352625; -92.474704
Logan 05-92247 00069562 Midway 1566 38.29 14.78 40.898 105.9 0.092 0.2383 36°26′38″N 92°28′24″W / 36.443895°N 92.473419°W / 36.443895; -92.473419
Lone Rock 05-92265 00069563 415 15.05 5.81 27.566 71.40 0.490 1.269 36°10′03″N 92°19′09″W / 36.167387°N 92.319143°W / 36.167387; -92.319143
Matney 05-92424 00069564 107 4.40 1.70 24.297 62.93 0.186 0.4817 36°08′27″N 92°24′06″W / 36.140874°N 92.401774°W / 36.140874; -92.401774
Mill 05-92460 00069565 2478 58.82 22.71 42.125 109.1 9.032 23.39 36°23′33″N 92°13′44″W / 36.392563°N 92.228985°W / 36.392563; -92.228985
Mountain Home 05-92616 00069566 Mountain Home 19659 376.61 145.40 52.200 135.2 0.090 0.2331 36°20′08″N 92°22′12″W / 36.335503°N 92.370086°W / 36.335503; -92.370086
North Fork 05-92709 00069567 Norfork 1574 37.66 14.54 41.793 108.2 1.259 3.261 36°11′58″N 92°13′21″W / 36.199399°N 92.222462°W / 36.199399; -92.222462
Pigeon 05-92877 00069568 1850 35.87 13.85 51.570 133.6 3.516 9.106 36°26′49″N 92°21′11″W / 36.446831°N 92.352986°W / 36.446831; -92.352986
Union 05-94062 00069099 Briarcliff 1856 44.08 17.02 42.101 109.0 12.305 31.87 36°16′56″N 92°13′18″W / 36.282254°N 92.221680°W / 36.282254; -92.221680
Whiteville 05-94035 00069570 Cotter, Gassville, Mountain Home 4693 164.48 63.50 28.533 73.90 0.591 1.531 36°17′47″N 92°29′32″W / 36.296363°N 92.492255°W / 36.296363; -92.492255
Source: U.S. Census Bureau[52][53]

Infrastructure edit

Major highways edit

Notable residents edit

 
Carolyn D. Wright, poet

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Mileages from Baxter County to Springfield, Little Rock, and St. Louis are based on highway miles using Mountain Home for Baxter County.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation (October 16, 2014). Arkansas County Polygons (SHP file) (Map). Arkansas GIS Office. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  2. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Baxter County, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  3. ^ . National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. ^ Garrett, Thomas (March 25, 2015). "Baxter County Tourism: It's something in the water". Asbury Park Press NJ. USA Today. Retrieved July 18, 2023. Resorts, motels and guide services all flourished, as well as restaurants and other businesses, as tourism became a driving force for the local, and state, economy.
  5. ^ Mulloy, Clement. "Mountain Home (Baxter County)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  6. ^ Herndon, Dallas Tabor (1947). Annals of Arkansas. Vol. 2. Hopkinsville, Kentucky: Historical Record Association. p. 662. OCLC 3920841.
  7. ^ Edge, Maryanne. "Chronology of Baxter County History" (PDF). Baxter County Historical & Genealogical Society. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  8. ^   This article incorporates public domain material from Woods, A.J.; Foti, T.L.; Chapman, S.S.; Omernik, J.M.; et al. Ecoregions of Arkansas (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 2, 2021. (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs).
  9. ^ "Google Maps (Search for Mountain Home, AR)". Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  10. ^ Office of Water Quality (2016). "Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Assessment Report" (PDF). North Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. (PDF) from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  11. ^ Arkansas Atlas & Gazetteer (Map) (Fifth ed.). 1:127,000. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2018. p. 20, 21, 34. ISBN 9781946494207. OCLC 1066245581.
  12. ^ Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (April 16, 2021). "Recreation opportunities abound around Sylarmore [sic]". The Batesville Daily Guard. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  13. ^ Staff of the AGFC. "Norfork Lake WMA" (PDF). Little Rock: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
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  16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
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  18. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
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  22. ^ Staff of the United States Census Bureau (2020). "INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". 2020 American Community Survey. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  23. ^ Based on 2000 census data
  24. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
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  26. ^ Tucker, Noah (July 27, 2022). "Baxter Regional Medical Center changing its name". Springfield, MO: KYTV. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  27. ^ "Designated Trauma Centers" (PDF). Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Health. March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary. "District Courts Directory". Arkansas Judiciary. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  29. ^ Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary (July 1, 2019). "District Courts". Arkansas Judiciary. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  30. ^ Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary. "Circuit Courts Directory". Arkansas Judiciary. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  31. ^ GIS Applications Laboratory (2022). Arkansas Fire Districts (SHP) (Map). Various. Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Economic Development Institute, University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  32. ^ Powell, Sam (February 25, 1997). "Browns, Rainbows in White Trout Fishing a Paradise On This River in Arkansas". Tulsa World. Tulsa, OK. p. B1. Retrieved September 2, 2023 – via NewsBank.
  33. ^ "Great Cotter Trout Festival begins May 4". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. April 26, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  34. ^ "Arkansas Fishing Report". The Courier. Russellville, AR. April 21, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023 – via NewsBank.
  35. ^ "Fly fishermen to gather in northern Arkansas". The Joplin Globe. Joplin, MO. September 24, 2006. Retrieved September 2, 2023 – via NewsBank.
  36. ^ Stewart, Julie (February 24, 2007). "Mountain Home looks to separate local, carted-in produce at market". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock, AR. p. 13. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  37. ^ Stewart, Julie (September 20, 2006). "After parade, mayor in lather over manure". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock, AR. pp. 9, 20. Retrieved September 2, 2023 – via NewsBank.
  38. ^ Conley III, Byrd (January 15, 2018). "David's Trail runs set for Friday, Saturday". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock, AR. p. 20. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
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  42. ^ "Baxter County". Association of Arkansas Counties. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  43. ^ Teske, Steven (March 24, 2014). "Quorum Courts". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  44. ^ Goss, Kay C. (August 28, 2015). "Office of County Judge". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  45. ^ Arkansas Economic Development Institute. Arkansas District Finder (Map). Various. Little Rock: University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
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  47. ^ "State Tax Rates". Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. January 1, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  48. ^ "List of Cities and Counties with Local Sales and Use Tax" (PDF). Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. July–September 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  49. ^ Messick, Mary Ann (1973). History of Baxter County (Centennial ed.). Mountain Home, Arkansas: Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce. p. 82. LCCN 73-82235. OCLC 724611.
  50. ^ (PDF) (Map). U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
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Further reading edit

  • Baxter County Historical Society Book Committee (2003). History and families of Baxter County, Arkansas. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Co. ISBN 9781563119224. OCLC 865999618.
  • Messick, Mary Ann (1973). History of Baxter County (Centennial ed.). Mountain Home, Arkansas: Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce. LCCN 73-82235. OCLC 724611.
  • Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe (1955). Park, Hugh (ed.). Schoolcraft in the Ozarks (Reprint ed.). Van Buren, Arkansas: Press-Argus Printers. OCLC 2583865.
  • Shiras, Frances H. (1939). History of Baxter County (First ed.). J.W. Daniel and Shiras Bros. Print Shop. OCLC 2481304.

External links edit

  • Baxter County government's website
  • Baxter County, Arkansas at Curlie
  • Ozark Amateur Radio Club - website

36°18′25″N 92°21′17″W / 36.30694°N 92.35472°W / 36.30694; -92.35472

baxter, county, arkansas, baxter, county, county, state, arkansas, 2020, census, county, population, county, seat, mountain, home, arkansas, 66th, county, formed, march, 1873, named, elisha, baxter, tenth, governor, arkansas, baxter, countycountyclockwise, fro. Baxter County is a county in the U S state of Arkansas As of the 2020 census the county s population was 41 627 2 The county seat is Mountain Home 3 It is Arkansas s 66th county formed on March 24 1873 and named for Elisha Baxter the tenth governor of Arkansas Baxter CountyCountyClockwise from top Buffalo River at Buffalo City the 1825 Jacob Wolf House at Norfork Cotter Bridge over the White River at sunset Baxter County courthouse in Mountain HomeSealLocation within the U S state of ArkansasArkansas s location within the U S Coordinates 36 18 25 N 92 21 17 W 36 3069 N 92 3547 W 36 3069 92 3547Country United StatesState ArkansasFoundedMarch 24 1873Named forElisha BaxterSeatMountain HomeLargest cityMountain HomeArea 1 Total586 74 sq mi 1 519 6 km2 Land554 36 sq mi 1 435 8 km2 Water32 38 sq mi 83 9 km2 5 5 Population 2020 Total41 627 Density71 sq mi 27 km2 Time zoneUTC 6 Central Summer DST UTC 5 CDT Congressional district1stWebsiteBaxter County government s websiteThe Mountain Home AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Baxter County It is in the northern part of the state bordering Missouri It is commonly referred to as the Twin Lakes Area because it is bordered by two of Arkansas largest lakes Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake On its southern border is the White River Norfork Tailwater and the Buffalo National River Mountain Home a small town whose origins date back to the early 19th century is located in north central Arkansas on a plateau in the Ozark Mountains The natural environment of nearby Norfork and Bull Shoals lakes and the surrounding countryside has attracted tourists from around the country for many years 4 Educational institutions have also played a role in the life of the community 5 Contents 1 History 2 Geography 2 1 Hydrology 2 2 Protected areas 3 Demographics 3 1 2020 census 3 2 2010 census 3 3 2000 census 4 Human resources 4 1 Education 4 1 1 Primary and secondary education 4 1 2 Higher education 4 1 3 Libraries 4 2 Public health 4 3 Public safety 5 Culture and contemporary life 5 1 Annual cultural events 5 2 Media 6 Government and politics 6 1 Taxation 7 Communities 7 1 Other unincorporated communities 7 2 Historic communities 7 3 Townships 8 Infrastructure 8 1 Major highways 9 Notable residents 10 See also 11 Notes 12 References 13 Further reading 14 External linksHistory editBaxter County was created by the 19th Arkansas General Assembly on March 24 1873 from parts of Fulton Izard Marion and Searcy counties It was named for Elisha Baxter who was governor of Arkansas at the time The small community of Mountain Home was named temporary county seat and was later named permanent county seat 6 In 1945 Baxter County voted to take the county dry liquor sales prohibited in 1945 by a vote of 548 to 432 The liquor sales prohibition was overturned in 1978 in the heaviest voter turnout in county history to that date with 6 175 for the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors and 5 991 against A narrow margin of 184 votes took the county wet 7 Geography editSee also Geography of Arkansas and Ozarks Baxter County is located within the Salem Plateau a subregion of the Ozark Mountains Land near Bull Shoals Lake Norfork Lake and along the White River are within the White River Hills subregion known for steep rocky soils spring fed mountain streams and oak hickory pine forest Eastern Baxter County and a small area around Mountain Home are within the Central Plateau subregion known for comparatively flatter terrain more suited for hayfields pastures and housing as well as karst 8 The county has a total area of 586 74 square miles 1 519 6 km2 of which 554 36 square miles 1 435 8 km2 is land and 32 38 square miles 83 9 km2 5 5 is water 1 The county is located approximately 110 miles 180 km southeast of Springfield Missouri 152 miles 245 km north of Little Rock and 246 miles 396 km southwest of St Louis Missouri Note 1 Baxter County is surrounded by sparsely populated Ozark counties on all sides Fulton County to the east Izard County to the southeast Stone County to the south Searcy County to the southwest Marion County to the west and Ozark County Missouri to the north Hydrology edit nbsp Norfork Tailwater known for trout fishingSee also List of lakes in Baxter County Arkansas Baxter County is within the White River watershed The river has several important milestones in Baxter County beginning along the western boundary of Baxter County the White River is impounded to form the Bull Shoals Lake reservoir by Bull Shoals Dam which spans the Baxter Marion county line South of the dam the White River forms the western boundary of Baxter Marion county line until Buffalo City when the Buffalo National River empties into the White with the White continuing across Baxter County from west to east South of Salesville the North Fork of White River empties into the White via the Norfork Tailwater downstream of Norfork Dam 10 Within the county Barren Fork Big Creek Bruce Creek Hightower Creek Leatherwood Creek and Moccasin Creek are important watercourses 11 Protected areas edit Baxter County contains a small section of the Buffalo National River near Buffalo City where the river empties into the White River Almost all land in Baxter County south of the White River is part of the Ozark National Forest Within this area a subdivision of the Ozark National Forest known as the Leatherwood Wilderness is located along Highway 341 Push Mountain Road Another part of the Ozark National Forest is also protected in the Sylamore Wildlife Management Area WMA The WMA is known as a destination for hiking fishing and hunting wild turkey bear squirrel and deer Camping is available at Blanchard Springs Caverns Gunner Pool and Barkshed areas and a gun range is open to the public 12 The Ozark Highlands Trail passes through the Leatherwood Wilderness and Sylamore WMA The Bull Shoals White River State Park is along the downstream shoreline of Bull Shoals Lake at the Bull Shoals Dam The park contains campgrounds a marina and visitor center The dam tailwater is well known for trout fishing Norfork Lake WMA is a series of protected walk in hunting areas along Lake Norfork covered in hardwood forest with some pine and ranging topography The four Baxter County units are Indian Head Unit Chapin Point Unit Seward Point Unit and the Bennett s Creek Unit The WMA is managed for deer turkey and small game and attracts waterfowl during migration 13 Demographics editHistorical population CensusPop Note 18806 004 18908 52742 0 19009 2989 0 191010 38911 7 192010 216 1 7 19309 519 6 8 194010 2818 0 195011 68313 6 19609 943 14 9 197015 31954 1 198027 40978 9 199031 18613 8 200038 38623 1 201041 5138 1 202041 6270 3 2023 est 42 875 14 3 0 U S Decennial Census 15 1790 1960 16 1900 1990 17 1990 2000 18 2010 2016 19 2020 census edit Racial Ethnic Makeup of Baxter County treating Hispanics as a Separate Category 2020 20 White Non Hispanic 91 4 Black Non Hispanic 0 21 Native American Non Hispanic 0 52 Asian Non Hispanic 0 56 Pacific Islander Non Hispanic 0 02 Other Non Hispanic 0 002 Two or more races Non Hispanic 4 73 Hispanic Any Race 2 54 As of the 2020 census there were 41 627 people and 18 936 households in the county The population density was 71 people per square mile 27 people km2 There were 22 699 housing units at an average density of 39 units per square mile 15 units km2 The racial makeup of the county was 92 5 White 0 2 Black or African American 0 6 Native American 0 6 Asian 0 0002 Pacific Islander 0 8 from other races and 5 3 from two or more races 2 5 of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race There were 18 936 households out of which 21 0 had children under the age of 18 living with them 48 9 were married couples living together and 26 6 had a female householder with no spouse or partner present 31 7 of all households were made up of individuals and 18 1 had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older In the county the population was spread out with 17 5 under the age of 18 3 9 from 18 to 24 18 6 from 25 to 44 26 6 from 45 to 64 and 31 5 who were 65 years of age or older The median age was 53 years For every 100 females there were 95 3 males For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92 8 males 21 The median income for a household in the county was 43 504 and the median income for a family was 52 342 22 2010 census edit As of 2010 Baxter County had a population of 41 513 The racial makeup was 95 96 Non Hispanic whites 0 16 blacks 0 56 Native Americans 0 41 Asians 0 04 Pacific Islanders 1 25 Non Hispanics reporting more than one race and 1 66 Hispanic or Latino 2000 census edit nbsp Age pyramid Baxter County 23 As of the 2000 census 24 there were 38 386 people 17 052 households and 11 799 families residing in the county The population density was 69 people per square mile 27 people km2 There were 19 891 housing units at an average density of 36 units per square mile 14 units km2 The racial makeup of the county was 97 81 White 0 11 Black or African American 0 52 Native American 0 34 Asian 0 02 Pacific Islander 0 22 from other races and 0 97 from two or more races 1 00 of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race There were 17 052 households out of which 22 00 had children under the age of 18 living with them 59 00 were married couples living together 7 70 had a female householder with no husband present and 30 80 were non families 27 50 of all households were made up of individuals and 15 10 had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older The average household size was 2 21 and the average family size was 2 65 In the county the population was spread out with 19 00 under the age of 18 5 80 from 18 to 24 21 10 from 25 to 44 27 40 from 45 to 64 and 26 80 who were 65 years of age or older The median age was 48 years For every 100 females there were 92 30 males For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89 10 males The median income for a household in the county was 29 106 and the median income for a family was 34 578 Males had a median income of 25 976 versus 18 923 for females The per capita income for the county was 16 859 About 7 90 of families and 11 10 of the population were below the poverty line including 14 70 of those under age 18 and 8 90 of those age 65 or over Human resources editEducation edit See also Education in Arkansas The 2019 American Community Survey found 88 7 of Baxter County residents over age 25 held a high school degree or higher and 17 9 holding a bachelor s degree or higher Baxter County exceeded statewide and nationwide averages for high school attainment 86 6 and 88 0 respectively but lags far behind on bachelor s degree attainment 23 0 and 32 1 respectively 25 Primary and secondary education edit Three public school districts are based in Baxter County Mountain Home School District is the largest school district in Baxter County with Cotter School District serving the Cotter Gassville area and the Norfork School District serving the southeast side of the county Successful completion of the curriculum of these schools leads to graduation from Mountain Home High School Cotter High School or Norfork High School respectively All three high schools are accredited by the Arkansas Department of Education ADE Small areas in Baxter County are served by the Viola School District and Calico Rock School District Higher education edit The lone institution of higher education in Baxter County is Arkansas State University Mountain Home ASUMH a public community college Other nearby institutions include Ozarka College in Melbourne and North Arkansas College in Harrison Libraries edit nbsp Donald W Reynolds LibraryThe Donald W Reynolds Library serving Baxter County was opened in September 2010 at 300 Library Hill in Mountain Home The library offers books e books media reference programs youth special collections and genealogy services Public health edit Baxter Health in Mountain Home offers acute inpatient care emergency care diagnostics surgery OB GYN rehabilitation therapy and senior care services 26 The facility is rated as a Level 3 Trauma Center by the Arkansas Department of Health The nearest Level 1 Trauma Centers are CoxHealth and Mercy Hospital Springfield both in Springfield Missouri 27 Public safety edit The Baxter County Sheriff s Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county The agency is led by the Baxter County Sheriff an official elected by countywide vote every four years Police departments in Cotter Gassville Lakeview and Mountain Home provide law enforcement in their respective jurisdictions with remaining municipalities contracting with the Baxter County Sheriff s Office for law enforcement services The county is under the jurisdiction of the Baxter County District Court a state district court 28 State district courts in Arkansas are courts of original jurisdiction for criminal civil and traffic matters 29 State district courts are presided over by an elected full time judge The district court has seven departments one in each municipality of Baxter County 28 Superseding district court jurisdiction is the 14th Judicial Circuit Court which covers Baxter Boone Marion and Newton counties The 14th Circuit contains four circuit judges elected to six year terms circuitwide 30 Fire protection is provided by nineteen agencies in Baxter County together covering the entire county except areas within the major lakes Cotter Gassville Norfork and Mountain Home each provide fire protection in some cases extending beyond corporate limits Rural areas are served by the Buford Volunteer Clarkridge Volunteer Cotter Gassville Rural Gamaliel Grover Township Hand Cove Fire Protection District Henderson Lone Rock Volunteer Midway Volunteer Northeast Lakeside Oakland Promise Land Volunteer Rodney Volunteer Salesville Tracy Area and the United States Forest Service 31 Culture and contemporary life edit nbsp Completion of the Cotter Bridge brought transportation to an insular area of the Ozark MountainsMain article Culture of Arkansas Baxter County has several facilities monuments and museums dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the area Perhaps one of the most recognizable and important historic structures in Baxter County is the Cotter Bridge over the White River Upon opening in 1930 the bridge opened Baxter County and north Arkansas to economic development and tourism by providing reliable transportation across the White River Two facilities interpret the county s history and heritage the Jacob Wolf House a historic log cabin built in 1825 is operated as a historic house museum by the Arkansas Department of Parks Heritage and Tourism and the Baxter County Heritage Center located in the former Rollins Hospital in downtown Gassville Five National Register of Historic Places NRHP complete county list properties in the county relate to the history of education Buford School Building Cold Water School and the Horace Mann School Historic District as well as Big Flat School Gymnasium Old Cotter High School Gymnasium Several buildings are preserved for connections to the county s economic and cultural history Baxter County Courthouse the Sid Hutcheson Building in Norfork and several structures in the Mountain Home Commercial Historic District Annual cultural events edit Trout fishing enthusiasts visit the White River in Baxter County year round 32 with several annual events also celebrating trout fishing the Cotter Trout Festival in Big Spring Park and the Sowbug Roundup at the Baxter County Fairgrounds are held in May 33 34 and the Southern Council Federation of Flyfishers Fair is held on campus at ASUMH in September 35 The Mountain Home Farmer s Market operates on the downtown square on Wednesdays and Saturdays April November 36 The Baxter County Fair is one of the most well attended in Arkansas and begins with a popular parade through downtown Mountain Home 37 Norfork Pioneer Days Heritage Festival is held annually on the third Saturday in May at the Jacob Wolf House The David s Trail Endurance Run was founded in 2017 as an ultramarathon around Lake Norfork in January 38 Media edit See also List of newspapers in Arkansas The county newspaper is The Baxter Bulletin a daily newspaper established in Mountain Home in 1901 Baxter County is within the Springfield Missouri designated market area with the following local TV stations KYTV NBC 33 1 ABC 33 2 CW SD KOLR CBS KOZK PBS KOZL TV KWBM KSPR LD ABC KBNS CD and KRBK Fox 39 The county is home to four FM radio stations KCMH FM 91 5 FM Keep Christ Most High KKTZ 107 5 FM KTLO FM 97 9 FM and KPFM FM 105 5 MHz 40 and one AM radio station KTLO AM 1240 AM 41 Government and politics edit nbsp Quorum court meets in the second floor courtroom at the Baxter County CourthouseSee also Government of Arkansas County judge and 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 Baxter County Election Commission The Baxter County Quorum Court has eleven members 42 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 43 44 In the Arkansas Senate Baxter County is within the 23rd District The district contains Marion County and parts of Boone Fulton and Izard counties and has been represented by Scott Flippo R since 2015 In the Arkansas House of Representatives Baxter County is split among three districts the 3rd District Stetson Painter R since 2023 the 4th District Jack Fortner R since 2023 and the 27th Steven Walker R since 2023 45 United States presidential election results for Baxter County Arkansas 46 Year Republican Democratic Third partyNo No No 2020 15 836 75 38 4 635 22 06 536 2 55 2016 14 682 74 28 4 169 21 09 915 4 63 2012 13 688 70 78 5 172 26 74 479 2 48 2008 12 852 64 32 6 539 32 73 590 2 95 2004 11 128 60 05 7 129 38 47 273 1 47 2000 9 538 57 09 6 516 39 00 654 3 91 1996 6 877 44 35 6 703 43 23 1 925 12 42 1992 5 640 35 85 6 991 44 44 3 101 19 71 1988 8 614 63 35 4 808 35 36 175 1 29 1984 10 870 69 84 4 528 29 09 166 1 07 1980 9 684 63 93 4 789 31 62 674 4 45 1976 5 885 50 51 5 766 49 49 0 0 00 1972 6 754 70 65 2 677 28 00 129 1 35 1968 3 401 49 53 1 952 28 43 1 513 22 04 1964 1 986 40 61 2 900 59 29 5 0 10 1960 2 108 54 34 1 694 43 67 77 1 99 1956 1 721 53 92 1 451 45 46 20 0 63 1952 1 387 49 66 1 388 49 70 18 0 64 1948 553 31 42 1 098 62 39 109 6 19 1944 572 41 69 796 58 02 4 0 29 1940 489 36 09 859 63 39 7 0 52 1936 375 32 47 773 66 93 7 0 61 1932 194 15 47 1 039 82 85 21 1 67 1928 504 42 71 665 56 36 11 0 93 1924 301 27 29 640 58 02 162 14 69 1920 484 38 38 707 56 07 70 5 55 1916 318 25 81 914 74 19 0 0 00 1912 142 14 26 536 53 82 318 31 93 1908 300 30 74 607 62 19 69 7 07 1904 236 34 40 426 62 10 24 3 50 1900 287 28 28 723 71 23 5 0 49 1896 262 21 06 980 78 78 2 0 16 Taxation edit See also Taxation in the United States Property tax is assessed by the Baxter 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 Baxter County Collector between the first business day of March of each year through October 15th without penalty The Baxter 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 and use tax has been 6 5 since July 1 2013 47 Baxter County has an additional sales and use tax of 1 25 since January 1 2019 Within Baxter County the City of Mountain Home has had an additional 2 125 sales and use tax since July 1 2021 and Cotter has had an additional 2 since January 1 2022 with the remaining incorporated communities having 1 00 sales and use tax rates 48 The Arkansas State Treasurer disburses tax revenue to counties cities in accordance with tax rules Communities editSeven incorporated cities and one town are located within the county The largest city and county seat is Mountain Home located centrally between Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Norfork Mountain Home had a population of 12 825 at the 2020 census and is the focal point of the Mountain Home AR Micropolitan Statistical Area which includes all of Baxter County Cotter and Gassville are located west of Mountain Home Briarcliff Norfork and Salesville are small towns with populations under 1 000 south of Mountain Home Lakeview is a small municipality on Bull Shoals Lake The small town of Big Flat is located in the southern part of Baxter County and partly in Searcy County The United States Census Bureau has also designated four unincorporated communities as Census designated places Gamaliel and Henderson near Norfork Lake Buffalo City near the Buffalo National River and Midway between Mountain Home and Lakeview Other unincorporated communities edit Baxter 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 Some communities including Bennett s Cumi Custer and Hand were inundated during creation of Lake Norfork 49 For example communities like Clarkridge and Monkey Run had a post office or other buildings at some point in their history Other communities are simply a few dwellings at a crossroads or a residential area near a cove or point on the lake 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 Advance Amos Arkana Arkawana Buford Cartney Colfax County Line Culp Diamond Bay Dogwood Park Fawn Park Heritage Estates Holiday Hills Hopewell Jordan Kingswood Estates Lakeside Terrace Lone Rock Mallard Point McPhearson Norfork Lake Estates Norfork Village Old Joe Rodney Shady Grove Shipp Spring Lake Estates Sycamore Heights Sycamore Spring Three Brothers Timber Lake Manor Whiteville Woods Point Landing Historic communities edit Berry Casteel Chastain Conville Covey Herron Independence Jonesdale Laytonville Spencer Wake Townships edit nbsp Townships in Baxter County Arkansas as of 2010Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county Each township includes unincorporated areas some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times However the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships sometimes referred to as county subdivisions or minor civil divisions Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications The townships of Baxter County are listed below listed in parentheses are the cities towns and or census designated places that are fully or partially inside the township 50 51 Township FIPS code ANSI code GNIS ID Populationcenter s Pop 2010 Pop density mi2 Pop density km2 Land area mi2 Land area km2 Water area mi2 Water area km2 Geographic coordinatesBayou 05 90165 00069555 360 13 90 5 37 25 900 67 08 1 045 2 707 36 28 04 N 92 12 34 W 36 467714 N 92 209491 W 36 467714 92 209491Big Flat 05 90288 00069556 Big Flat 198 4 15 1 6 47 761 123 7 0 021 0 05439 36 01 36 N 92 21 31 W 36 026753 N 92 358551 W 36 026753 92 358551Buckhorn 05 90525 00069557 Briarcliff Norfork Salesville 969 58 71 22 67 16 504 42 75 0 739 1 914 36 14 15 N 92 17 29 W 36 237454 N 92 291449 W 36 237454 92 291449Buford 05 90540 00069558 1295 32 86 12 69 39 415 102 1 0 553 1 432 36 13 57 N 92 25 06 W 36 232621 N 92 418200 W 36 232621 92 418200Greenwood 05 91524 00069559 164 4 32 1 67 37 929 98 24 0 300 0 7770 36 06 36 N 92 15 22 W 36 110093 N 92 256098 W 36 110093 92 256098Grover 05 91548 00069560 Lakeview Midway 2438 186 23 71 92 13 091 33 91 2 123 5 499 36 22 49 N 92 31 47 W 36 380141 N 92 529738 W 36 380141 92 529738Independence 05 91818 00069561 Midway Mountain Home 1891 59 06 32 3 32 018 82 93 0 027 0 06993 36 21 09 N 92 28 29 W 36 352625 N 92 474704 W 36 352625 92 474704Logan 05 92247 00069562 Midway 1566 38 29 14 78 40 898 105 9 0 092 0 2383 36 26 38 N 92 28 24 W 36 443895 N 92 473419 W 36 443895 92 473419Lone Rock 05 92265 00069563 415 15 05 5 81 27 566 71 40 0 490 1 269 36 10 03 N 92 19 09 W 36 167387 N 92 319143 W 36 167387 92 319143Matney 05 92424 00069564 107 4 40 1 70 24 297 62 93 0 186 0 4817 36 08 27 N 92 24 06 W 36 140874 N 92 401774 W 36 140874 92 401774Mill 05 92460 00069565 2478 58 82 22 71 42 125 109 1 9 032 23 39 36 23 33 N 92 13 44 W 36 392563 N 92 228985 W 36 392563 92 228985Mountain Home 05 92616 00069566 Mountain Home 19659 376 61 145 40 52 200 135 2 0 090 0 2331 36 20 08 N 92 22 12 W 36 335503 N 92 370086 W 36 335503 92 370086North Fork 05 92709 00069567 Norfork 1574 37 66 14 54 41 793 108 2 1 259 3 261 36 11 58 N 92 13 21 W 36 199399 N 92 222462 W 36 199399 92 222462Pigeon 05 92877 00069568 1850 35 87 13 85 51 570 133 6 3 516 9 106 36 26 49 N 92 21 11 W 36 446831 N 92 352986 W 36 446831 92 352986Union 05 94062 00069099 Briarcliff 1856 44 08 17 02 42 101 109 0 12 305 31 87 36 16 56 N 92 13 18 W 36 282254 N 92 221680 W 36 282254 92 221680Whiteville 05 94035 00069570 Cotter Gassville Mountain Home 4693 164 48 63 50 28 533 73 90 0 591 1 531 36 17 47 N 92 29 32 W 36 296363 N 92 492255 W 36 296363 92 492255Source U S Census Bureau 52 53 Infrastructure editMajor highways edit nbsp US 62 nbsp US 412 nbsp U S Route 62 Business nbsp Arkansas Highway 5 nbsp Arkansas Highway 14 nbsp Arkansas Highway 101 nbsp Arkansas Highway 126 nbsp Arkansas Highway 177 nbsp Arkansas Highway 178 nbsp Arkansas Highway 201 nbsp Arkansas Highway 202 nbsp Arkansas Highway 201 Spur nbsp Arkansas Highway 263 nbsp Arkansas Highway 341 nbsp Arkansas Highway 342 nbsp Arkansas Highway 345Notable residents edit nbsp Carolyn D Wright poetRichard Antrim naval rear admiral World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Lonnie D Bentley professor and the head of the Department of Computer and Information Technology at Purdue University Robbie Branscum writer of children s books and young adult fiction William U McCabe represented Baxter County in the Arkansas Senate from 1921 to 1924 and in the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1931 until his death Vada Sheid longtime member of the Arkansas General Assembly representing Baxter County Carolyn D Wright poet born in Mountain HomeSee also editNational Register of Historic Places listings in Baxter County ArkansasNotes edit Mileages from Baxter County to Springfield Little Rock and St Louis are based on highway miles using Mountain Home for Baxter County 9 References edit a b Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department in cooperation with the U S Department of Transportation October 16 2014 Arkansas County Polygons SHP file Map Arkansas GIS Office Retrieved January 1 2017 Census Geography Profile Baxter County Arkansas United States Census Bureau Retrieved January 19 2023 Find a County National Association of Counties Archived from the original on July 4 2012 Retrieved 2011 06 07 Garrett Thomas March 25 2015 Baxter County Tourism It s something in the water Asbury Park Press NJ USA Today Retrieved July 18 2023 Resorts motels and guide services all flourished as well as restaurants and other businesses as tourism became a driving force for the local and state economy Mulloy Clement Mountain Home Baxter County Encyclopedia of Arkansas Retrieved June 2 2015 Herndon Dallas Tabor 1947 Annals of Arkansas Vol 2 Hopkinsville Kentucky Historical Record Association p 662 OCLC 3920841 Edge Maryanne Chronology of Baxter County History PDF Baxter County Historical amp Genealogical Society Retrieved July 18 2023 nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from Woods A J Foti T L Chapman S S Omernik J M et al Ecoregions of Arkansas PDF United States Geological Survey Archived PDF from the original on August 2 2021 color poster with map descriptive text summary tables and photographs Google Maps Search for Mountain Home AR Retrieved December 28 2021 Office of Water Quality 2016 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Assessment Report PDF North Little Rock Arkansas Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Archived PDF from the original on April 7 2020 Retrieved January 4 2022 Arkansas Atlas amp Gazetteer Map Fifth ed 1 127 000 Yarmouth Maine DeLorme 2018 p 20 21 34 ISBN 9781946494207 OCLC 1066245581 Arkansas Game and Fish Commission April 16 2021 Recreation opportunities abound around Sylarmore sic The Batesville Daily Guard Retrieved February 26 2023 Staff of the AGFC Norfork Lake WMA PDF Little Rock Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Retrieved October 10 2022 Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties April 1 2020 to July 1 2023 United States Census Bureau Retrieved March 30 2024 U S Decennial Census United States Census Bureau Retrieved August 25 2015 Historical Census Browser University of Virginia Library Retrieved August 25 2015 Forstall Richard L ed March 27 1995 Population of Counties by Decennial Census 1900 to 1990 United States Census Bureau Retrieved August 25 2015 Census 2000 PHC T 4 Ranking Tables for Counties 1990 and 2000 PDF United States Census Bureau April 2 2001 Archived PDF from the original on March 27 2010 Retrieved August 25 2015 State amp County QuickFacts United States Census Bureau Archived from the original on June 7 2011 Retrieved May 19 2014 Explore Census Data data census gov Retrieved January 1 2022 Staff of the United States Census Bureau 2020 Demographic Profile 2020 United States Census Retrieved September 2 2023 Staff of the United States Census Bureau 2020 INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS IN 2020 INFLATION ADJUSTED DOLLARS 2020 American Community Survey Retrieved September 2 2023 Based on 2000 census data U S Census website United States Census Bureau Retrieved 2011 05 14 American Community Survey United States Census Bureau 2015 2019 Retrieved January 8 2022 Tucker Noah July 27 2022 Baxter Regional Medical Center changing its name Springfield MO KYTV Retrieved March 11 2023 Designated Trauma Centers PDF Little Rock Arkansas Department of Health March 7 2023 Retrieved March 11 2023 a b Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary District Courts Directory Arkansas Judiciary Retrieved January 21 2023 Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary July 1 2019 District Courts Arkansas Judiciary Retrieved January 21 2023 Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary Circuit Courts Directory Arkansas Judiciary Retrieved January 21 2023 GIS Applications Laboratory 2022 Arkansas Fire Districts SHP Map Various Little Rock Arkansas Arkansas Economic Development Institute University of Arkansas at Little Rock Retrieved January 21 2023 Powell Sam February 25 1997 Browns Rainbows in White Trout Fishing a Paradise On This River in Arkansas Tulsa World Tulsa OK p B1 Retrieved September 2 2023 via NewsBank Great Cotter Trout Festival begins May 4 Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette April 26 2012 Retrieved September 2 2023 Arkansas Fishing Report The Courier Russellville AR April 21 2023 Retrieved September 2 2023 via NewsBank Fly fishermen to gather in northern Arkansas The Joplin Globe Joplin MO September 24 2006 Retrieved September 2 2023 via NewsBank Stewart Julie February 24 2007 Mountain Home looks to separate local carted in produce at market Arkansas Democrat Gazette Little Rock AR p 13 Retrieved September 2 2023 Stewart Julie September 20 2006 After parade mayor in lather over manure Arkansas Democrat Gazette Little Rock AR pp 9 20 Retrieved September 2 2023 via NewsBank Conley III Byrd January 15 2018 David s Trail runs set for Friday Saturday Arkansas Democrat Gazette Little Rock AR p 20 Retrieved September 2 2023 Springfield MO TV Channels Station Index Retrieved September 2 2023 Arkansas FM Radio Stations FM Query Results Washington DC Federal Communications Commission September 2 2023 Retrieved September 2 2023 Arkansas AM Radio Stations AM Query Results Washington DC Federal Communications Commission September 2 2023 Retrieved September 2 2023 Baxter County Association of Arkansas Counties Retrieved April 30 2017 Teske Steven March 24 2014 Quorum Courts Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System Retrieved January 23 2016 Goss Kay C August 28 2015 Office of County Judge Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System Retrieved January 23 2016 Arkansas Economic Development Institute Arkansas District Finder Map Various Little Rock University of Arkansas at Little Rock Retrieved September 4 2023 Dave Leip s Atlas of U S Presidential Elections Retrieved February 21 2021 State Tax Rates Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration January 1 2019 Retrieved September 2 2023 List of Cities and Counties with Local Sales and Use Tax PDF Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration July September 2023 Retrieved September 2 2023 Messick Mary Ann 1973 History of Baxter County Centennial ed Mountain Home Arkansas Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce p 82 LCCN 73 82235 OCLC 724611 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey BAS Baxter County AR PDF Map U S Census Bureau Archived from the original PDF on October 19 2012 Retrieved July 26 2011 Arkansas 2010 Census Block Maps County Subdivision United States Census Bureau Retrieved May 27 2014 County Subdivisions Arkansas Census 2010 U S Gazetteer Files United States Census Bureau Archived from the original TXT on May 31 2014 Census 2010 U S Gazetteer Files United States Census Bureau Further reading editSee also List of books about Arkansas including historical information about its counties and cities Baxter County Historical Society Book Committee 2003 History and families of Baxter County Arkansas Paducah Kentucky Turner Publishing Co ISBN 9781563119224 OCLC 865999618 Messick Mary Ann 1973 History of Baxter County Centennial ed Mountain Home Arkansas Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce LCCN 73 82235 OCLC 724611 Schoolcraft Henry Rowe 1955 Park Hugh ed Schoolcraft in the Ozarks Reprint ed Van Buren Arkansas Press Argus Printers OCLC 2583865 Shiras Frances H 1939 History of Baxter County First ed J W Daniel and Shiras Bros Print Shop OCLC 2481304 External links editBaxter County government s website Baxter County Arkansas at Curlie Ozark Amateur Radio Club website 36 18 25 N 92 21 17 W 36 30694 N 92 35472 W 36 30694 92 35472 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Baxter County Arkansas amp oldid 1216374899, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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