Most rural counties in Arkansas

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Arkansas

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Arkansas using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Sharp County

- Rural area: 98.9% (598 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 604 square miles
--- #55 largest county in state, #1,611 nationwide

- Population density: 28.5 people / square mile (17,217 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #1,170 nationwide

#49. Conway County

- Rural area: 99.0% (547 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 552 square miles
--- #71 largest county in state, #1,890 nationwide

- Population density: 37.8 people / square mile (20,895 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #1,418 nationwide

#48. Johnson County

- Rural area: 99.0% (653 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 660 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #1,423 nationwide

- Population density: 40.1 people / square mile (26,475 residents)
--- #51 lowest density county in state, #1,470 nationwide

#47. Hempstead County

- Rural area: 99.0% (720 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 728 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #1,219 nationwide

- Population density: 29.8 people / square mile (21,695 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #1,207 nationwide

#46. Columbia County

- Rural area: 99.0% (759 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 766 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #1,135 nationwide

- Population density: 30.8 people / square mile (23,620 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #1,231 nationwide

#45. Bradley County

- Rural area: 99.1% (643 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 649 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #1,450 nationwide

- Population density: 16.6 people / square mile (10,805 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #790 nationwide

#44. Carroll County

- Rural area: 99.1% (624 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 630 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #1,524 nationwide

- Population density: 44.5 people / square mile (28,062 residents)
--- #53 lowest density county in state, #1,562 nationwide

#43. St. Francis County

- Rural area: 99.1% (629 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 635 square miles
--- #41 largest county in state, #1,506 nationwide

- Population density: 40.1 people / square mile (25,477 residents)
--- #52 lowest density county in state, #1,471 nationwide

#42. Phillips County

- Rural area: 99.1% (690 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 696 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #1,339 nationwide

- Population density: 26.1 people / square mile (18,151 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #1,101 nationwide

#41. Cleburne County

- Rural area: 99.1% (549 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 554 square miles
--- #70 largest county in state, #1,879 nationwide

- Population density: 45.3 people / square mile (25,063 residents)
--- #54 lowest density county in state, #1,584 nationwide

#40. Cross County

- Rural area: 99.2% (612 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 616 square miles
--- #49 largest county in state, #1,572 nationwide

- Population density: 26.9 people / square mile (16,576 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #1,122 nationwide

#39. Desha County

- Rural area: 99.3% (762 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 768 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #1,130 nationwide

- Population density: 15.0 people / square mile (11,538 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #741 nationwide

#38. Sevier County

- Rural area: 99.3% (561 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 565 square miles
--- #67 largest county in state, #1,818 nationwide

- Population density: 30.0 people / square mile (16,947 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #1,214 nationwide

#37. Arkansas County

- Rural area: 99.3% (981 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 989 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #695 nationwide

- Population density: 18.0 people / square mile (17,761 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #827 nationwide

#36. Jackson County

- Rural area: 99.3% (629 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 634 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #1,508 nationwide

- Population density: 26.7 people / square mile (16,908 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #1,114 nationwide

#35. Clark County

- Rural area: 99.3% (860 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 866 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #951 nationwide

- Population density: 25.8 people / square mile (22,341 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #1,092 nationwide

#34. Little River County

- Rural area: 99.3% (529 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 532 square miles
--- #73 largest county in state, #1,961 nationwide

- Population density: 23.2 people / square mile (12,345 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #1,013 nationwide

#33. Logan County

- Rural area: 99.4% (704 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 708 square miles
--- #28 largest county in state, #1,302 nationwide

- Population density: 30.5 people / square mile (21,619 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #1,226 nationwide

#32. Clay County

- Rural area: 99.4% (635 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 639 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #1,487 nationwide

- Population density: 23.0 people / square mile (14,710 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #1,005 nationwide

#31. Lawrence County

- Rural area: 99.4% (584 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 588 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #1,669 nationwide

- Population density: 28.1 people / square mile (16,511 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,157 nationwide

#30. Dallas County

- Rural area: 99.4% (663 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 667 square miles
--- #32 largest county in state, #1,410 nationwide

- Population density: 10.7 people / square mile (7,114 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #596 nationwide

#29. Chicot County

- Rural area: 99.4% (640 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 644 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #1,475 nationwide

- Population density: 16.2 people / square mile (10,433 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #776 nationwide

#28. Howard County

- Rural area: 99.4% (585 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 589 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #1,665 nationwide

- Population density: 22.5 people / square mile (13,267 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #983 nationwide

#27. Grant County

- Rural area: 99.5% (628 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 632 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #1,518 nationwide

- Population density: 28.9 people / square mile (18,229 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #1,180 nationwide

#26. Polk County

- Rural area: 99.5% (853 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 858 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #969 nationwide

- Population density: 23.3 people / square mile (19,999 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,015 nationwide

#25. Poinsett County

- Rural area: 99.5% (754 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 758 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #1,158 nationwide

- Population density: 31.3 people / square mile (23,747 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #1,252 nationwide

#24. Randolph County

- Rural area: 99.5% (649 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 652 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #1,446 nationwide

- Population density: 27.5 people / square mile (17,934 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #1,135 nationwide

#23. Franklin County

- Rural area: 99.6% (606 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 609 square miles
--- #52 largest county in state, #1,593 nationwide

- Population density: 29.2 people / square mile (17,785 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #1,189 nationwide

#22. Lee County

- Rural area: 99.7% (600 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 603 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #1,621 nationwide

- Population density: 14.9 people / square mile (8,963 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #735 nationwide

#21. Monroe County

- Rural area: 99.7% (605 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 607 square miles
--- #53 largest county in state, #1,602 nationwide

- Population density: 11.3 people / square mile (6,879 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #616 nationwide

#20. Nevada County

- Rural area: 99.7% (616 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 618 square miles
--- #48 largest county in state, #1,566 nationwide

- Population density: 13.4 people / square mile (8,249 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #683 nationwide

#19. Scott County

- Rural area: 99.7% (890 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 892 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #884 nationwide

- Population density: 11.5 people / square mile (10,269 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #621 nationwide

#18. Yell County

- Rural area: 99.7% (927 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 930 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #773 nationwide

- Population density: 23.0 people / square mile (21,425 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #1,009 nationwide

#17. Fulton County

- Rural area: 99.9% (617 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 618 square miles
--- #47 largest county in state, #1,563 nationwide

- Population density: 19.9 people / square mile (12,301 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #893 nationwide

#16. Marion County

- Rural area: 100.0% (597 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 597 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #1,641 nationwide

- Population density: 27.8 people / square mile (16,586 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #1,149 nationwide

#15. Lincoln County

- Rural area: 100.0% (562 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 562 square miles
--- #68 largest county in state, #1,845 nationwide

- Population density: 23.6 people / square mile (13,278 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,026 nationwide

#14. Izard County

- Rural area: 100.0% (581 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 581 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #1,696 nationwide

- Population density: 23.4 people / square mile (13,596 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #1,020 nationwide

#13. Van Buren County

- Rural area: 100.0% (708 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 708 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #1,301 nationwide

- Population density: 23.4 people / square mile (16,578 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,019 nationwide

#12. Stone County

- Rural area: 100.0% (606 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 606 square miles
--- #54 largest county in state, #1,605 nationwide

- Population density: 20.7 people / square mile (12,582 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #915 nationwide

#11. Madison County

- Rural area: 100.0% (834 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 834 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #1,008 nationwide

- Population density: 19.6 people / square mile (16,393 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #882 nationwide

#10. Perry County

- Rural area: 100.0% (551 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 551 square miles
--- #72 largest county in state, #1,896 nationwide

- Population density: 18.8 people / square mile (10,342 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #852 nationwide

#9. Pike County

- Rural area: 100.0% (601 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 601 square miles
--- #57 largest county in state, #1,627 nationwide

- Population density: 17.8 people / square mile (10,714 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #823 nationwide

#8. Cleveland County

- Rural area: 100.0% (598 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 598 square miles
--- #58 largest county in state, #1,635 nationwide

- Population density: 13.5 people / square mile (8,063 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #690 nationwide

#7. Lafayette County

- Rural area: 100.0% (528 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 528 square miles
--- #75 largest county in state, #1,981 nationwide

- Population density: 12.7 people / square mile (6,728 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #665 nationwide

#6. Prairie County

- Rural area: 100.0% (648 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 648 square miles
--- #37 largest county in state, #1,457 nationwide

- Population density: 12.6 people / square mile (8,138 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #659 nationwide

#5. Searcy County

- Rural area: 100.0% (666 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 666 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #1,412 nationwide

- Population density: 11.9 people / square mile (7,898 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #629 nationwide

#4. Montgomery County

- Rural area: 100.0% (780 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 780 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #1,108 nationwide

- Population density: 11.5 people / square mile (8,964 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #620 nationwide

#3. Woodruff County

- Rural area: 100.0% (587 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 587 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #1,673 nationwide

- Population density: 11.0 people / square mile (6,477 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #608 nationwide

#2. Newton County

- Rural area: 100.0% (821 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 821 square miles
--- #15 largest county in state, #1,032 nationwide

- Population density: 9.4 people / square mile (7,753 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #554 nationwide

#1. Calhoun County

- Rural area: 100.0% (629 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 629 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #1,530 nationwide

- Population density: 8.2 people / square mile (5,160 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #504 nationwide

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