Formed December 6, 1850 (52nd county)
Calhoun County (4,742), Hampton (1,184)
The clock tower of this red brick courthouse stands out in this county seat. The 1909 building is located on a square at 2nd, Hunt, 1st, and Main Streets. Main Street is United States Highway 278. The building architect is Frank W. Gibb for this Romanesque Revival style courthouse. The county seat is named for State Senator John R. Hampton. The county for named for United States Vice President John C. Calhoun. Calhoun County was created on December 6, 1850 from parts of Dallas and Ouachita counties as the 52nd county. The only county seat has been at Hampton.
Calhoun County government consists of a sheriff, assessor, treasurer, and coroner (executive). It has 9 Quorum Court members (legislative.) Six Circuit Court Judges serve Calhoun, Cleveland, Columbia, Dallas, Ouachita, and Union counties and a District Court Judge, an Attorney, and a County Clerk serve Calhoun County (judicial.) The county is located in the south central Arkansas just north of El Dorado, Arkansas. The center of the county is 5.6 miles Southwest of Hampton. The county is surrounded clockwise by Dallas, Cleveland, Bradley, Union, and Ouachita counties. The Ouachita River forms the majority of the western border and the entire southern border. The Mayo River forms the eastern border. The county is shaped like a small d. Hampton is slightly east of the county’s center. Hampton is the county seat and the largest city. It is 25.0% of the county population.
The area of the county is 632.5 square miles. It is 48 of 75 in size. It ranks 75 out of 75 in population in the state. It has a density of 7.5 persons per square mile making it 75 out of 75 in the state. Calhoun County has 37.6% of its population in its incorporated areas. United States Highway 79 crosses the northwest corner of the county from Dallas County in the north and exits west into Ouachita County. United States Highway 167 enters joined with United States Highway 79 from Dallas County, splits soon after entering the county, and goes south into Union County. United States Highway 278 crosses east to west from Bradley County to Ouachita County. The county is in the Camden Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Hampton
Harrell
Thornton
Tinsman
