About Us
Formed in December 1818 at the same time that Pulaski and Clark counties were formed. Hempstead County has a total area of 741 miles (1920 km) of which 728 sq/miles (1890 km) is land and 14 sq/miles (36km) is water.
Scroll down for additional information about our county!

Hempstead County
Founded: December 15, 1818
Population: 21,532 (2019)
County seat: Hope
Cities: Hope, Washington, Fulton, Blevins, Ozan, Perrytown, McCaskill, Patmos, Oakhaven, McNab

Points of Interest
- Historic Washington State Park
- President William Jefferson Clinton birthplace
- Beard’s Bluff Park / Use Area
- Klipsch Museum of Audio History
- Fair Park
- Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Conservation
- Hope City Visitor Center
- Millwood Lake
Demographics
As of the 2000 census, there were 23,587 people, 8,959 households, and 6,378 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 10,178 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 63.28% White, 30.36% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. 8.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,959 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples living together, 15.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.30% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,622, and the median income for a family was $34,082. Males had a median income of $25,830 versus $17,383 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,103. About 16.00% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.20% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.