Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population is 25,603. The county seat is Magnolia.
Columbia County was formed on 17 December 1852 and was named for the goddess Columbia, which is representative of America.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,986 km² (767 mi²). 1,984 km² (766 mi²) of it is land and 2 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.10% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 25,603 people, 9,981 households, and 6,747 families residing in the county. The population density is 13/km² (33/mi²). There are 11,566 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (15/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 62.08% White, 36.06% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 9,981 households out of which 30.10% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.90% are married couples living together, 15.10% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% are non-families. 29.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.80% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 3.03.
In the county the population is spread out with 25.10% under the age of 18, 12.30% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 90.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $27,640, and the median income for a family is $36,271. Males have a median income of $31,313 versus $20,099 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,322. 21.10% of the population and 15.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 28.70% are under the age of 18 and 20.00% are 65 or older.