This area was historically occupied by members of the Caddoan Confederacy, whose territory extended into present-day Texas and Louisiana.

Colonial French and later European-American settlers also took over lands along the waterways, which formed their basic transportation routes well into the 19th century.

In addition, blacks left in the Great Migration to midwestern and western industrial cities, where they found better work and less social oppression.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,310 people, 3,397 households, and 2,263 families residing in the county.

As of the 2000 United States Census,[13] there were 9,955 people, 3,893 households, and 2,721 families residing in the county.

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.