Elections
Pope County, AR, had 40,671 registered voters as of 2024. The county administers primary, general, and special elections, with the 2022 general election seeing a 52% turnout. Polling locations include the Pope County Courthouse and Dover City Hall. The Republican Party dominates, winning 68% of local votes in 2022, while Democrats received 29%. Key issues include economic development and infrastructure. Voter registration is managed by the Pope County Clerk’s office, with online and in-person options. There are 18 voting precincts. Election results and polling sites are published at https://www.popecountyar.gov.
Education, Employment and Housing
Pope County, AR, hosts 23 public schools, including 4 high schools, with a high school graduation rate of approximately 88%. About 19.5% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average standardized test scores are slightly above the state average, with a GreatSchools rating of 6/10. The county prioritizes school safety through resource officers and anti-bullying programs. Adult education is supported by Arkansas Tech University, which enrolls over 12,000 students. Educational programs feature career and technical education, advanced placement, and special needs resources, contributing to a supportive learning environment.
As of 2022, Pope County, AR had an employment rate of approximately 55.3%. Key industries include Health Care & Social Assistance (16.4%), Manufacturing (15.2%), and Retail Trade (13.9%). The most common occupations are Office & Administrative Support (13.7%), Production (12.2%), and Sales (10.4%). A significant majority (over 80%) of employed residents work within Pope County, with an average commute time of 19.5 minutes. Notable employment hubs include the city of Russellville, which hosts Arkansas Tech University and several manufacturing employers.
Pope County, AR, has a homeownership rate of about 67%, with median home values around $170,000 in 2023. The median gross rent is approximately $810 per month. The housing market has seen steady appreciation, with property values rising about 5% annually since 2020. Housing types include single-family homes, some apartments, and mobile homes, with neighborhoods like Russellville and Atkins being popular. Property tax rates average 0.6%, lower than the national average, making homeownership more affordable.
County Crime & Safety
Pope County, AR, has a crime rate slightly above the national average, with 2022 data indicating a violent crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 27.1 per 1,000. The county reported approximately 263 violent crimes and 1,648 property crimes in 2022. Russellville, the largest city, accounts for most incidents. Law enforcement encourages reporting through local hotlines and online systems. Overall, while property crime is a concern, local agencies actively pursue community safety initiatives to reduce incidents.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Pope County, Arkansas, had a population of approximately 63,381. The median age is 36.9 years, with 49.6% male and 50.4% female. The racial and ethnic makeup is 83.4% White, 4.9% Black or African American, 1.1% Asian, 0.7% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.7% two or more races, and 8.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Popular names
- James Smith
- Charles Davis
- Amanda Smith
- Daniel Smith
- Gregory Clark
- James Freeman
- Michael Johnson
- Michael Martin
- James Duvall
- Jennifer Taylor
- Justin Brown
- Mark Smith
- Mary Brown
- Michael Brown
- Angela Smith
- David Brown
- Gary Jones
- Gary Williams
- James Standridge
- Jerry Brown
- John Freeman
- Kevin Jones
- Linda Smith
- Mary Johnson
- Michael Miller
- Michael Smith
- Richard Price
- Robert Smith
- Amanda Duvall
- Amanda Freeman
- Amanda Taylor
- David Smith
- Dustin Curtis
- Elizabeth Brown
- James Brown
- James Moore
- James Taylor
- James Williams
- John Jones
- Joshua Smith
- Linda Jones
- Michael Williams
- Steven Davis
- William Freeman
- William Smith
- Amanda Jones
- Amy Wilson
- Anthony Brown
- Ashley Allen
- Ashley Harris
- Blake Smith
- Charles Lee
- Charles Smith
- Daniel Johnson
- David Johnson
- Dennis Harris
- Dustin Duvall
- Eric Kennedy
- James Bowden
- James Johnson
Other Counties in Arkansas
- Arkansas
- Ashley
- Baxter
- Benton
- Boone
- Bradley
- Calhoun
- Carroll
- Chicot
- Clark
- Clay
- Cleburne
- Cleveland
- Columbia
- Conway
- Craighead
- Crawford
- Crittenden
- Cross
- Dallas
- Desha
- Drew
- Faulkner
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Garland
- Grant
- Greene
- Hempstead
- Hot Spring
- Howard
- Independence
- Izard
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Johnson
- Lafayette
- Lawrence
- Lee
- Lincoln
- Little River
- Logan
- Lonoke
- Madison
- Marion
- Miller
- Mississippi
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Nevada
- Newton