Hot Spring County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 33,040. The county seat is Malvern. Established on November 2, 1829, in the Arkansas Territory from a part of Clark County; it was named after the hot springs at Hot Springs, Arkansas, which were formerly in the county. The creation of Garland County in 1873 detached the town of Hot Springs to the newly created county.

For nearly 80 years, Hot Spring County was an alcohol prohibition or dry county, though attempts in recent years to locate the county prohibition ordinance were unsuccessful. In November 2022, voters overturned the prohibition, approving a measure to allow countywide retail alcohol sales.

Hot Spring County comprises the Malvern, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Hot Springs-Malvern, AR Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

Hot Spring County is located in Southwest Arkansas, a region composed of the Ouachita Mountains, deep valleys, and the Arkansas Timberlands. Hot Spring County is mostly within the mountainous segment of the region, mostly covered in hardwood and pine forests. One of the six primary geographic regions of Arkansas, the Ouachitas are a mountainous subdivision of the U.S. Interior Highlands. The Ouachita River roughly divides the county. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.16%) is water.

|group=Note Hot Spring County is surrounded by six counties, including the Ouachitas, Central Arkansas, and Lower Arkansas Delta, due to its short and wide shape. The county neighbors Garland County to the north, Saline County in the northeast corner, Grant County to the east, Dallas County to the southeast, Clark County to the south, and a small portion with Montgomery County in the northwest.

Protected areas

Hot Spring County contains two state parks, DeGray Lake Resort State Park and Lake Catherine State Park, and two Wildlife Management Area (WMA), DeGray Lake WMA, and Jack Mountain WMA maintained by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The county also contains of Ouachita National Forest managed by the National Forest Service.

left|thumb|DeGray Lake Resort State Park

DeGray Lake Resort State Park is a in southwest Hot Spring County, and Arkansas's only resort state park. The 94-room DeGray Lodge and Convention Center includes a restaurant and 18-hole championship rated golf course. Traditional state park amenities for camping, hiking, fishing, boating, picnic tables, and horseback riding are also offered. The park is owned and operated by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (ADPT). DeGray Lake WMA essentially bounds the portions of lake shoreline not bounded by the state park. The land is owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and extends into Clark County.

Near Malvern, Lake Catherine State Park is a small state park on the west side of Lake Catherine. The park offers 20 cabins, including five Civilian Conservation Corps cabins of natural wood and stone built in the 1930s, and 70 campsites. In summer, the parks offers a marina, boat rental, visitor center, guided tours, nature center and horseback trail rides.

Demographics

From 2000 to 2010, Hot Spring County saw significant population and income growth. The population increased from 30,353 to 32,923, a gain of 8.5%, with incomes rising and poverty declining for almost every demographic.

2020 Census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 33,040. The median age was 42.1 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 110.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 111.2 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 80.3% White, 10.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.0% from some other race, and 6.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.8% of the population.

There were 12,473 households in the county, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.8% were married-couple households, 18.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. there were 32,923 people, 12,664 households, and 8,969 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 14,332 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 85.6% White, 10.8% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, >0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 2.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,664 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males age 18 and over.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,150, and the median income for a family was $46,090. Males had a median income of $34,111 versus $27,127 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,248. About 8.2% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 census,

Primary and secondary education

right|thumb|Public school district boundaries in Hot Spring County as of July 2016

Five public school districts are based in Hot Spring County: Malvern School District is the largest school district in Hot Spring County, with the Bismarck School District serving the western portion of the county, Ouachita School District serving a small area around Donaldson, Glen Rose School District serving the northeastern area of the county, and Magnet Cove School District around Magnet Cove. Successful completion of the curriculum of these schools leads to graduation from Malvern High School, Bismarck High School, Ouachita High School, Glen Rose High School, and Magnet Cove High School respectively. All five high schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses and are accredited by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE).

Residents outside the five Hot Spring County-based districts are within either the Centerpoint School District or Poyen School District.

Higher education

Hot Spring County contains one institution of higher education, ASU Three Rivers, a public community college in Malvern. Other higher education institutions in the region include National Park College, a public two-year college in Hot Springs, and two four-year liberal arts universities in Arkadelphia, Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University.

Library system

thumb|Mary Cheatham Malvern-Hot Spring County Library

The Malvern-Hot Spring County Library at 202 East Third Street in downtown Malvern was founded in 1928 and became a member library of the Mid-Arkansas Regional Library System in 1974. The facility offers books, e-books, media, reference, youth, business and genealogy services.

Public safety

The Hot Spring County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The agency is led by the Hot Spring County Sheriff, an official elected by countywide vote every two years.

The county is under the jurisdiction of the Hot Spring County District Court, a state district court. State district courts in Arkansas are courts of original jurisdiction for criminal, civil (up to $25,000), small claims, and traffic matters. State district courts are presided over by a full-time District Judge elected to a four-year term by a districtwide election. Hot Spring County District Court is located at 410 Locust Street in Malvern. Circuit courts have the right to refer some matters to state district court at their discretion.

{| class="wikitable"

|+Hot Spring County, Arkansas Elected countywide officials

!Position

!Officeholder

!Party

|-style="background-color:#F48882;

|County Judge

|Dennis Thornton

|Republican

|-style="background-color:#F48882;

|County Clerk

|Patty Griggs

|Republican

|-style="background-color:#F48882;

|Circuit Clerk

|Teresa Pilcher

|Republican

|-

|Sheriff

|Richard Tolleson

|(Unknown)

|-style="background-color:#F48882;

|Treasurer

|Glorie Thornton

|Republican

|-style="background-color:#F48882;

|Collector

|Sheri Oden

|Republican

|-style="background-color:#F48882;

|Assessor

|Blake Riggan

|Republican

|-style="background-color:#F48882;

|Coroner

|Jason Chenault

|Republican

|}

The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 10 Republicans and 1 Democrat. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:

  • District 1: James Bryant (D)
  • District 2: Brian Coston (R)
  • District 3: Ralph V. Williams (R)
  • District 4: Darrin Hardy (R)
  • District 5: Mike Scarbrough (R)
  • District 6: Don Hilyard (R)
  • District 7: Jennifer Corley (R) (position now Vacant)
  • District 8: Tony Shnaekel (R)
  • District 9: Jimmy R. Rogers (R)
  • District 10: Wylie Whitley (R)
  • District 11: Jay Sheets (R)

Additionally, the townships of Hot Spring County are entitled to elect their own respective constables, as set forth by the Constitution of Arkansas. Constables are largely of historical significance as they were used to keep the peace in rural areas when travel was more difficult. The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:

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Taxation

Property tax is assessed by the Hot Spring County Assessor annually based upon the fair market value of the property and determining which tax rate, commonly called a millage in Arkansas, will apply. The rate depends upon the property's location with respect to city limits, school district, and special tax increment financing (TIF) districts. This tax is collected by the Hot Spring County Collector between the first business day of March of each year through October 15 without penalty. The Hot Spring County Treasurer disburses tax revenues to various government agencies, such as cities, county road departments, fire departments, libraries, and police departments in accordance with the budget set by the quorum court.

Sales and use taxes in Arkansas are voter approved and collected by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.

Arkansas's statewide sales and use tax has been 6.5% since July 1, 2013. Hot Spring County has an additional sales and use tax of 1.50%, which has been in effect since January 1, 2009. Within Hot Spring County, the City of Malvern has had an additional 1% sales and use tax since January 1, 2009, City of Rockport an additional 2% since January 1, 2012, and the Town of Perla an additional 1% sales and use tax since January 1, 1984. The Arkansas State Treasurer disburses tax revenue to counties and cities in accordance with tax rules.

Communities

Two incorporated cities, four incorporated towns, and one census designated place (CDP) are located within the county. The largest city and county seat, Malvern, is located in the northeast part of the county on I-30. Malvern's population in 2010 was 10,318, and has been increasing since the 2000 Census. Rockport and Perla are adjacent to Malvern, with populations of 755 and 291 in 2010, respectively. The remaining communities are in the south part of the county near the Ouachita River, each with a population under 400 as of 2010: Donaldson, Friendship and Midway.

Hot Spring County has dozens of unincorporated communities and ghost towns within its borders. This is due to early settlers in Arkansas tending to settle in small clusters rather than incorporated towns. For example, communities like Jones Mill have a post office or a collection of buildings. Other communities are simply a few dwellings at a crossroads that have adopted a common place name over time. Some are officially listed as populated places by the United States Geological Survey, and others are listed as historic settlements.

Cities

  • Malvern (County Seat)
  • Rockport

Towns

  • Donaldson
  • Friendship
  • Midway
  • Perla

Census Designated Places

  • Bismarck
  • Jones Mill
  • Magnet Cove

Other unincorporated communities

  • Abco
  • Antioch
  • Beaton
  • Bonnerdale
  • Brown Springs
  • Butterfiield
  • Caney
  • Central
  • De Roche
  • Diamondhead
  • Faber
  • Gifford
  • Glen Rose
  • Harp
  • Lambert
  • Landers
  • Lono
  • Morning Star
  • Mount Moriah
  • Oak Bower
  • Oak Grove
  • Old De Roche
  • Oma
  • Point Cedar
  • Rolla
  • Saginaw
  • Shorewood Hills
  • Social Hill
  • Whittington
  • Witherspoon

Historical communities

  • Cove Creek
  • Duffie
  • Durian
  • Elmore
  • Etta
  • Fleming
  • Sanders
  • Twin Oak
  • Walco
  • Wayside
  • Wyandotte

Townships

thumb|Townships in Hot Spring County, Arkansas as of 2010

  • Antioch
  • Big Creek
  • Bismarck
  • Brown Springs
  • Butterfield (part of Rockport and Malvern)
  • Clear Creek
  • De Roche
  • Dover
  • Fenter (Perla, most of Malvern, part of Rockport)
  • Gifford
  • Harrison
  • Henderson
  • Lone Hill (part of Midway)
  • Magnet (Magnet Cove)
  • Midway
  • Montgomery
  • Ouachita (Donaldson)
  • Prairie (Friendship, most of Midway)
  • Saline
  • Valley

Infrastructure

Aviation

Hot Spring County contains one public owned/public use general aviation airport, Malvern Municipal Airport southeast of Malvern. For the twelve-month period ending July 31, 2015, the facility saw 11,850 general aviation operations and 150 military operations. The nearest commercial service airport is Clinton National Airport in Little Rock.

Major highways

  • 20px Interstate 30
  • 20px U.S. Highway 67
  • 20px U.S. Highway 70
  • 25px U.S. Highway 270
  • 20px Highway 7
  • 20px Highway 9
  • 20px Highway 51
  • 20px Highway 84
  • 25px Highway 128
  • 25px Highway 171
  • 25px Highway 222
  • 25px Highway 283
  • 25px Highway 347

See also

  • List of counties in Arkansas
  • List of lakes of Hot Spring County, Arkansas
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Hot Spring County, Arkansas

Notes

References

Cited works

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; Government

; General information

  • ARGenWeb Hot Spring County, genealogy resources for the county
  • Hot Spring County Historical Society
  • Malvern and Hot Spring County Chamber of Commerce
  • Malvern and Hot Spring County Library

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