It is one of several dry counties within the state of Arkansas, in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is largely prohibited.

Napoleon maintained grandiose plans to establish a vast French Empire in Louisiana but the Royal Navy prevented him from transferring troops or settlers to the acquired territories.

Fear was high in the United States that Napoleon would attempt to close the Mississippi River to American trade.

President Thomas Jefferson inquired about purchasing an area near the mouth of the river to ensure that it would stay open to American goods.

Napoleon, needing money, offered to sell the United States the entire territory of Louisiana for $23,213,568.

This situation persisted until 1850 when residents of the area complained about the distance to the Poinsett County seat.

In 1858, State Senator William A. Jones campaign platform included a promise to seek the formation of a new county for the area.

Lake City, just across the St. Francis River from the Buffalo Island area, was added as a second county seat in 1883.

In the early 20th century, Clay, Greene, and Craighead counties had sundown town policies forbidding African Americans from living in the area.

Craighead County has voted Republican in the majority of presidential elections since 1960; prior to that it was solidly Democratic.

Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries.

However, the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions").

Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications.