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Baxter County, Arkansas

Baxter County
County
Buffalo River winds through bluffs at Buffalo City
Baxter County Courthouse in downtown Mountain Home
Jacob Wolf House
Aerial view of Bull Shoals Dam
Vada Sheid Community Development Center on the campus of ASU-Mountain Home
Cotter Bridge at sunset
Clockwise from top: Buffalo River at Buffalo City, the 1825 Jacob Wolf House at Norfork, Vada Sheid Community Development Center on the campus of ASU-Mountain Home, Cotter Bridge over the White River at sunset, Bull Shoals Dam, Baxter County Courthouse in Mountain Home
Official seal of Baxter County
Seal
Map of Arkansas highlighting Baxter County
Location within the U.S. state of Arkansas
Map of the United States highlighting 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
[1]
 • Total
586.74 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)
 • Total
41,627
 • Density71/sq mi (27/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
WebsiteBaxter County government's website

Baxter County is a county in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Created as Arkansas's 66th county on March 24, 1873, the county has eight incorporated municipalities, including Mountain Home, its largest city and county seat. The county is named for Elisha Baxter, the tenth governor of Arkansas. It is coterminal with the Mountain Home Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The county is located in a steep section of the Ozark Mountains sometimes known as the Twin Lakes Area because it is bordered by two of Arkansas's largest lakes, Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake. On its southern border are the White River, Norfork Tailwater and the Buffalo National River. Occupying 587 square miles (170,000 ha), the county's population was 41,627 as of the 2020 Census, ranking Baxter the 66th largest and 16th most populous of the 75 counties in Arkansas.[2] The county seat is Mountain Home.[3] The county contains five protected areas, including parts of the Buffalo National River, Ozark National Forest, Bull Shoals-White River State Park, and two Wildlife Management Areas. 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] Other historical features such as the Jacob Wolf House and Cold Water School preserve the history and culture of Baxter County.

Baxter County is served by three public school districts: Mountain Home, Cotter, and Norfork, and contains one public community college: Arkansas State University–Mountain Home (ASUMH). Baxter Health serves as a healthcare hub for the region. Although no Interstate highways serve Baxter County, the county has access to two concurrent United States highways: U.S. Highway 62 (US 62) and US 412, and thirteen Arkansas state highways. Baxter County is served by two public use airports: Baxter County Airport and Gaston's White River Resort Airstrip, two electric service providers, and fifteen public water systems providing potable water to customers in the county.

History

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

See 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

Norfork Tailwater, known for trout fishing
See 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

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

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

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

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

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

Education

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See also: List of newspapers in Arkansas, List of radio stations in Arkansas, and List of television stations in Arkansas

The county newspaper is The Baxter Bulletin, a daily newspaper established in Mountain Home in 1901. The first newspaper published in Baxter County was the Quid Nunc, from 1877 to 1880.[39] The Baxter County Citizen was published in Mountain Home from 1880 until 1937.[40] Mountain Home was also home to briefly operated papers named The North Arkansas Herald (monthly, c. 1890) and The Arkansas News (c. 1897).[39]

Cotter has been home to five newspapers over the years, the longest lasting being the Cotter Courier (1903-c. 1918)[39] and The Cotter Record (1911-1937).[40] Publications lasting only a year or so include The White River Headlight,[39] The Screech Owl, and the Bull Shoals Gazette.[40] The Ozark Clarion was briefly published at Three Brothers around 1912, and Norfork Enterprise ran briefly at Norfork.[39]

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).[41]

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),[42] and one AM radio station: KTLO (AM) (1240 AM).[43]

Government and politics

Quorum court meets in the second floor courtroom at the Baxter County Courthouse
See 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.[44] 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.[45][46]

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).[47]

United States presidential election results for Baxter County, Arkansas[48]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 16,253 77.57% 4,341 20.72% 360 1.72%
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

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 15 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.[49] 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.[50] The Arkansas State Treasurer disburses tax revenue to counties/cities in accordance with tax rules.

Communities

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

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.[51] 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.

Historic communities

Townships

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. [52][53]

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[54][55]

Infrastructure

Aviation

The county contains one public owned/public use airport: Baxter County Airport, a small, rural airport west of Mountain Home with over 11,000 annual operations, almost entirely general aviation.[56] The county contains three private airfields, including Gaston's White River Resort Airstrip, which is available for public use.[57][58] The nearest commercial service airport is Springfield–Branson National Airport.

Major highways

US 62/US 412 serves Mountain Home between two winding, rural segments through the Ozark Mountains

Baxter County is not served by any Interstate highways; the nearest access to the Interstate system is Interstate 44 (I-44) in Springfield, Missouri. The main roadway across the county is a concurrency between US Highway 62 (US 62) and US 412, which run east-west across Baxter County on their route across the northern part of Arkansas. The highway also has two business routes in Baxter County: U.S. Route 62 Business (US 62B) in Mountain Home and US 62B in Cotter.

Thirteen state highway designations serve the traveling public in the county, ranging from short connector routes to long highways traversing the entire county. Some numbers have multiple distinct segments in Baxter County.[Note 2] Arkansas Highway 5 (AR 5) is the only route running continuously across the county from south to north, providing connectivity to Missouri in the north and Little Rock to the south. Highway 14 runs east-west across much of the state, running in southern Baxter County between Marshall and Mountain View. Highway 101 and Highway 201 serve as north-south routes between Salesville and Norfork Dam and Missouri, respectively. Four routes serve as connections to lakes or rivers: Highway 126, Highway 177, Highway 178, Highway 342. Highway 341 (Push Mountain Road) runs in the Ozark National Forest. Arkansas Highway 345 serves to connect Cotter and Gassville. Highway 202 and Highway 263 run in the county only briefly.[58]

Rail

The Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad crosses the county along the White River, including a rail yard in Cotter.[58]

Utilities

Historic Cotter Water Tower listed on the National Register of Historic Places
See also: List of public utilities in Arkansas

The North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, based in Salem, is a non-profit electric utility cooperative serving much of the Arkansas Ozarks, including the rural areas of Baxter County with electric service. Entergy Arkansas provides electricity for Mountain Home, Cotter, Gassville, and nearby populated outlying areas, and the area around Big Flat.[60]

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is responsible for the regulation and oversight of public water systems throughout the state. Nine community water systems are based in Baxter County: Baxter-Marion Rural Water Association No. 1 (BMRWA #1), Big Flat Water System, City of Briarcliff, Community Water Association, City of Cotter, City of Gassville, Lakeview Midway Public Water Authority, City of Mountain Home Water & Wastewater Department, City of Norfork Water Department, and Northeast Public Water Authority. There are also six minor systems serving residential areas: Autumn Acres Mobile Home Park (MHP), Crestwood MHP, Edgewood Bay Association, Laurelwood Homeowners Association, Starlight Estates, and Tall Oaks MHP.[61]

Notable residents

Carolyn D. Wright, poet

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Mileages from Baxter County to Springfield, Little Rock, and St. Louis are based on highway miles using Mountain Home for Baxter County.[9]
  2. ^ Including unsigned state highway designation Arkansas Highway 600.[59]

References

  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. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  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. ^ Public Domain 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. Archived (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.
  14. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  15. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  17. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  20. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  21. ^ Staff of the United States Census Bureau (2020). "Demographic Profile". 2020 United States Census. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  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 May 14, 2011.
  25. ^ "American Community Survey". United States Census Bureau. 2015–2019. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  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.
  39. ^ a b c d e Allsopp, Frederick W. (1922). History of the Arkansas Press for a Hundred Years and More (PDF) (Reprint ed.). Little Rock, Ark: Parke-Harper Pub. Co. pp. 59–60. ISBN 9780893080730. OCLC 3576168 – via Southern Historical Press.
  40. ^ a b c Meriwether, Robert W. (1974). A Chronicle of Arkansas Newspapers Published Since 1922 and of the Arkansas Press Association, 1930-1972. Little Rock, Ark: Arkansas Press Association. pp. 5–6. OCLC 2146483.
  41. ^ "Springfield, MO TV Channels". Station Index. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  42. ^ "Arkansas FM Radio Stations". FM Query Results. Washington DC: Federal Communications Commission. September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  43. ^ "Arkansas AM Radio Stations". AM Query Results. Washington DC: Federal Communications Commission. September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  44. ^ "Baxter County". Association of Arkansas Counties. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  45. ^ 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.
  46. ^ 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.
  47. ^ Arkansas Economic Development Institute. Arkansas District Finder (Map). Various. Little Rock: University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  48. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  49. ^ "State Tax Rates". Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. January 1, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  50. ^ "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.
  51. ^ 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.
  52. ^ 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.
  53. ^ "Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  54. ^ "County Subdivisions: Arkansas". Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (TXT) on May 31, 2014.
  55. ^ "Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
  56. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for BPK PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective April 18, 2024.
  57. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for 3M0 PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective April 18, 2024.
  58. ^ a b c Transportation Planning and Policy Division (December 28, 2016) [May 30, 2002]. General Highway Map, Baxter County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map) (Revised ed.). 1:62,500. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. OCLC 909039471. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  59. ^ Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (2015). "Arkansas Road Log Database" (MDB). Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  60. ^ Electric Utility Service Territories (polygon) (Map) (Update ed.). Arkansas GIS Office. April 3, 2023 [June 5, 2009]. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  61. ^ "Community Water System Data". Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Health, Engineering Section. Retrieved May 4, 2024.

Further reading

See 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.

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

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