[citation needed] The Helena-West Helena, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Phillips County.

From September 30 – October 1, 1919, during the Elaine race riot in Phillips County, at least 237 African Americans were killed, attacked at large by armed whites trying to suppress the Progressive Farmers and Household Union of America which was organizing in the county.

[5] As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 16,568 people, 7,485 households, and 4,836 families residing in the county.

Strom Thurmond carried the county in his whites-only Dixiecrat effort in 1948.

At that time, Democrats were composed chiefly of conservative whites, as most blacks had been disenfranchised at the turn of the century.

In modern times, heavy depopulation and the state's strong rightward shift has shrunk the margins for Democrats, though Black voters remain strongly Democratic and thus keep the county safely blue.

[16] Previously the Lake View School District served a portion of the county.

Previously the Elaine School District served another portion of 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.