Pike County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2000, the population is 11,303. The county seat is Murfreesboro.
Pike County, Arkansas was formed on 1 November 1833 and was named for Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered Pike's Peak.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,590 km² (614 mi²). 1,562 km² (603 mi²) of it is land and 28 km² (11 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.77% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 11,303 people, 4,504 households, and 3,265 families residing in the county. The population density is 7/km² (19/mi²). There are 5,536 housing units at an average density of 4/km² (9/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 92.04% White, 3.47% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.60% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 3.57% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,504 households out of which 32.10% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.90% are married couples living together, 8.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% are non-families. 25.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.47 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the county the population is spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 97.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $27,695, and the median income for a family is $32,883. Males have a median income of $27,294 versus $17,266 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,385. 16.80% of the population and 12.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 20.80% are under the age of 18 and 20.20% are 65 or older.