Yell County

Yell County, Arkansas

Yell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population was 21,139. The county has two county seats, Dardanelle and Danville. Yell County is Arkansas's 41st county, formed on 5 December 1840 and named after Archibald Yell, who was the state's first member of the United States House of Representatives and the second governor of Arkansas; he later fell in combat at the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican-American War. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

Yell County is part of the Russellville Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 949 square miles (2,457 km²), of which, 928 square miles (2,403 km²) of it is land and 21 square miles (54 km²) of it (2.21%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Pope County (north)
Conway County (northeast)
Perry County (east)
Garland County (southeast)
Montgomery County (south)
Scott County (west)
Logan County (northwest)

National protected areas

Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge (part)
Ouachita National Forest (part)
Ozark National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 21,139 people, 7,922 households, and 5,814 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 9,157 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.63% White, 1.47% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 8.99% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. 12.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 12.00% reported speaking Spanish at home

There were 7,922 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,916, and the median income for a family was $33,409. Males had a median income of $23,172 versus $18,148 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,383. About 11.70% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.20% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Notable natives & trivia

Professional golfer John Daly was raised in Yell County, moving there from California with his family when he was 5. He owns the Lion's Den Golf Course near Dardanelle.

In the 1969 Hollywood movie True Grit, starring John Wayne, actress Kim Darby played character Mattie Ross, who was constantly speaking of herself being from Yell County, near Dardanelle.

First Sergeant William Elise of Company K, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor and bravery above and beyond the call of duty at Dardanelle, Arkansas. He was the first Arkansan to earn the Army Medal of Honor. At 10 a.m. on January 14, 1865, approximately 1,500 Confederates attacked the Union forces entrenched on the outskirts of the town and a fierce four-hour battle was waged. In the end Confederate Colonel William H. Brooks was unable to overcome the Union defenders of the town and was forced to retreat. It was during this battle that Sgt. Elise held his position even after receiving three wounds and would not withdraw for medical attention until he received a fourth wound and was ordered to retire by his commanding officer.