View source for Baxter County, Arkansas

{{short description|County in Arkansas, United States}}
{{distinguish|Baxter, Arkansas}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Baxter County
 | state                = Arkansas
 | seal                 = Baxter County, AR Seal.jpg
 | founded year         = 1873
 | founded date         = March 24
 | seat wl              = Mountain Home
 | largest city wl      = Mountain Home
 | area_footnotes       = <ref name="area">{{ cite map |title= Arkansas County Polygons |publisher= Arkansas GIS Office |author1= [[Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department]] in cooperation with the [[U.S. Department of Transportation]] |date= October 16, 2014 |url= https://gis.arkansas.gov/?product=county-boundary-polygon |format=SHP file |access-date= January 1, 2017 }}</ref>
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 586.74
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 554.36
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 32.38
 | area percentage      = 5.5%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 41627
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 43007 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | district             = 1st
 | website              = [http://www.baxtercounty.org/ Baxter County government's website]
 | ex image             = {{Photomontage
 |photo1a = Looking Down at Buffalo City - panoramio.jpg{{!}}Buffalo River winds through bluffs at Buffalo City
 | photo2a              = Baxter County Courthouse.jpg{{!}}Baxter County Courthouse in downtown Mountain Home
 | photo2b              = ChrisLitherlandNorfork.jpg{{!}}Jacob Wolf House
 | photo3a              = Bull Shoals Dam aerial photo.jpg{{!}}Aerial view of Bull Shoals Dam
 | photo3b              = The Sheid at ASUMH.jpg{{!}}Vada Sheid Community Development Center on the campus of ASU-Mountain Home
 | photo4a              = Cotter, AR 010.jpg{{!}}Cotter Bridge at sunset
 | spacing              = 1
 | position             = center
 | color_border         = white
 | color                = white
 | size                 = 266
 | foot_montage         = Clockwise from top: [[Buffalo National River|Buffalo River]] at Buffalo City, the 1825 [[Jacob Wolf House]] at Norfork, Vada Sheid Community Development Center on the campus of [[Arkansas State University–Mountain Home|ASU-Mountain Home]], [[Cotter Bridge]] over the White River at sunset, [[Bull Shoals Dam]], [[Baxter County Courthouse]] in Mountain Home }}
 | ex image cap         =  
 | time zone            = Central
 | named for            = [[Elisha Baxter]]
}}

'''Baxter County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Ozark Mountains]] of [[Arkansas]]. Created as Arkansas's 66th county on March 24, 1873, the county has eight incorporated municipalities, including [[Mountain Home, Arkansas|Mountain Home]], its largest city and [[county seat]]. The county is named for [[Elisha Baxter]], the tenth [[governor of Arkansas]]. It is coterminal with the Mountain Home [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

The county is located in a steep section of the Ozark Mountains sometimes known as the Twin Lakes Area because it is bordered by two of Arkansas's largest lakes, [[Bull Shoals Lake]] and [[Norfork Lake]]. On its southern border are the [[White River (Arkansas–Missouri)|White River]], [[Norfork Tailwater]] and the [[Buffalo National River]]. Occupying 587 square miles (170,000 ha), the county's population was 41,627 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]], ranking Baxter the 66th largest and 16th most populous of the 75 counties in Arkansas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Baxter County, Arkansas|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Baxter_County,_Arkansas?g=0500000US05005|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 19, 2023}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Mountain Home, Arkansas|Mountain Home]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704084002/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=July 4, 2012  }}</ref> The county contains five protected areas, including parts of the [[Buffalo National River]], [[Ozark National Forest]], [[Bull Shoals-White River State Park]], and two [[List of Wildlife Management Areas in Arkansas|Wildlife Management Areas]].  The natural environment of nearby Norfork and Bull Shoals lakes and the surrounding countryside has attracted tourists from around the country for many years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garrett |first1=Thomas |title=Baxter County Tourism: It's something in the water |url=https://www.app.com/story/news/local/2015/03/25/promotion-key-baxter-county-tourism-industry/70463384/ |access-date=July 18, 2023 |work=Asbury Park Press NJ |publisher=USA Today |date=March 25, 2015 |quote=Resorts, motels and guide services all flourished, as well as restaurants and other businesses, as tourism became a driving force for the local, and state, economy.}}</ref> Educational institutions have also played a role in the life of the community.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mulloy|first1=Clement|title=Mountain Home (Baxter County)|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=826|website=Encyclopedia of Arkansas|access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> Other historical features such as the [[Jacob Wolf House]] and [[Cold Water School]] preserve the history and culture of Baxter County.

Baxter County is served by three public school districts: [[Mountain Home School District (Arkansas)|Mountain Home]], [[Cotter School District|Cotter]], and [[Norfork School District|Norfork]], and contains one public community college: [[Arkansas State University–Mountain Home]] (ASUMH). [[Baxter Health]] serves as a healthcare hub for the region. Although no [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate highways]] serve Baxter County, the county has access to two [[Concurrency (road)|concurrent]] [[United States Highway System|United States highways]]: [[U.S. Route 62 in Arkansas|U.S. Highway 62]] (US&nbsp;62) and [[U.S. Route 412 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;412]], and thirteen [[List of state highways in Arkansas|Arkansas state highways]]. Baxter County is served by two public use airports: [[Baxter County Airport]] and [[Gaston's Airport|Gaston's White River Resort Airstrip]], two electric service providers, and fifteen public water systems providing [[potable water]] to customers in the county.

==History==
Baxter County was created by the [[Arkansas General Assembly|19th Arkansas General Assembly]] on March 24, 1873, from parts of [[Fulton County, Arkansas|Fulton]], [[Izard County, Arkansas|Izard]], [[Marion County, Arkansas|Marion]], and [[Searcy County, Arkansas|Searcy]] counties. It was named for [[Elisha Baxter]], who was [[governor of Arkansas]] at the time. The small community of Mountain Home was named temporary county seat; and was later named permanent county seat.<ref name="Annals">{{cite book |last= Herndon |first=Dallas Tabor |title= Annals of Arkansas |year= 1947 |publisher= Historical Record Association |location= [[Hopkinsville, Kentucky]] |volume= 2 |page= 662 |oclc=3920841}}</ref>

In 1945, Baxter County voted to take the county "dry"—liquor sales prohibited—in 1945 by a vote of 548 to 432. The liquor sales prohibition was overturned in 1978 in the heaviest voter turnout in county history to that date, with 6,175 for the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors and 5,991 against. A narrow margin of 184 votes took the county "wet".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edge |first1=Maryanne |title=Chronology of Baxter County History |url=http://www.baxtercountyhistory.org/uploads/Chronology%20of%20Baxter%20County%20History%20-%20By%20Maryanne%20Edge.pdf|website=Baxter County Historical & Genealogical Society |access-date=July 18, 2023}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{See also|Geography of Arkansas|Ozarks}}
Baxter County is located within the [[Ozarks|Salem Plateau]], a subregion of the [[Ozark Mountains]]. Land near [[Bull Shoals Lake]], [[Norfork Lake]], and along the [[White River (Arkansas)|White River]] are within the [[Ozark Highlands (ecoregion)#White River Hills (39c)|White River Hills]] subregion, known for steep, rocky soils, spring-fed mountain streams, and oak-hickory-pine forest. Eastern Baxter County and a small area around Mountain Home are within the [[Ozark Highlands (ecoregion)#Central Plateau (39d)|Central Plateau]] subregion, known for comparatively flatter terrain more suited for hayfields, pastures, and housing, as well as [[karst]].<ref name=ark4>{{USGS|title=Ecoregions of Arkansas |comment=color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs |author1= Woods, A.J. |author2=Foti, T.L. |author3=Chapman, S.S. |author4=Omernik, J.M. |display-authors=etal | url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Level_IV_ecoregions,_Arkansas.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802105344/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Level_IV_ecoregions,_Arkansas.pdf |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The county has a total area of {{convert|586.74|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|554.36|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|32.38|sqmi}} (5.5%) is water.<ref name="area" />

The county is located approximately {{convert|110|mi|km}} southeast of [[Springfield, Missouri|Springfield]], [[Missouri]], {{convert|152|mi|km}} north of [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], and {{convert|246|mi|km}} southwest of [[St. Louis, Missouri]].{{#tag:ref|Mileages from Baxter County to Springfield, Little Rock, and St. Louis are based on highway miles using Mountain Home for Baxter County.<ref>{{cite web
  |title=Google Maps (Search for Mountain Home, AR)
  |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mountain+Home,+AR/@36.337166,-92.4159165,13z
  |access-date= December 28, 2021 }}</ref>
|group=Note}} Baxter County is surrounded by sparsely populated Ozark counties on all sides: [[Fulton County, Arkansas|Fulton County]] to the east, [[Izard County, Arkansas|Izard County]] to the southeast, [[Stone County, Arkansas|Stone County]] to the south, [[Searcy County, Arkansas|Searcy County]] to the southwest, [[Marion County, Arkansas|Marion County]] to the west, and [[Ozark County, Missouri|Ozark County]], [[Missouri]] to the north.

===Hydrology===
[[File:Norfork Tailwater.jpg|right|thumb|[[Norfork Tailwater]], known for [[trout fishing]]]]
{{See also|List of lakes in Baxter County, Arkansas}}
Baxter County is within the [[White River (Arkansas)|White River]] [[Drainage basin|watershed]]. The river has several important milestones in Baxter County: beginning along the western boundary of Baxter County, the White River is impounded to form the [[Bull Shoals Lake]] [[reservoir]] by [[Bull Shoals Dam]], which spans the Baxter-[[Marion County, Arkansas|Marion county]] line. South of the dam, the White River forms the western boundary of Baxter-Marion county line until [[Buffalo City, Arkansas|Buffalo City]], when the [[Buffalo National River]] empties into the White, with the White continuing across Baxter County from west to east. South of [[Salesville, Arkansas|Salesville]], the [[North Fork River (Missouri–Arkansas)|North Fork of White River]] empties into the White via the [[Norfork Tailwater]] downstream of [[Norfork Dam]].<ref>{{ cite web |author= Office of Water Quality |title= Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Assessment Report |url= https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/planning/integrated/303d/pdfs/2016/final-2016-305b-report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407024740/https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/planning/integrated/303d/pdfs/2016/final-2016-305b-report.pdf |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |url-status=live |publisher= [[Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality]] |location= North Little Rock, Arkansas |year= 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2022 }}</ref> Within the county, Barren Fork, Big Creek, Bruce Creek, Hightower Creek, Leatherwood Creek, and Moccasin Creek are important watercourses.<ref>{{Cite map |publisher = DeLorme |title = Arkansas Atlas & Gazetteer |location = Yarmouth, Maine |edition = Fifth |page = 20, 21, 34 |date = 2018 |scale = 1:127,000 |isbn = 9781946494207 |oclc = 1066245581 }}</ref>

===Protected areas===
Baxter County contains a small section of the [[Buffalo National River]] near Buffalo City where the river empties into the White River. Almost all land in Baxter County south of the White River is part of the [[Ozark National Forest]]. Within this area, a subdivision of the Ozark National Forest known as the [[Leatherwood Wilderness]] is located along [[Arkansas Highway 341|Highway&nbsp;341]] (Push Mountain Road). Another part of the Ozark National Forest is also protected in the Sylamore Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The WMA is known as a destination for hiking, fishing, and hunting [[wild turkey]], bear, squirrel, and [[deer]]. Camping is available at [[Blanchard Springs Caverns]], Gunner Pool, and Barkshed areas and a [[gun range]] is open to the public.<ref>{{ cite web |author=Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |title= Recreation opportunities abound around Sylarmore [sic] |date= April 16, 2021 |work=The Batesville Daily Guard |url=https://www.guardonline.com/news/recreation-opportunities-abound-around-sylarmore/article_36c5c9f6-f361-5af6-bc3d-8d71f95be198.html  |access-date= February 26, 2023 }}</ref> The [[Ozark Highlands Trail]] passes through the Leatherwood Wilderness and Sylamore WMA.

The [[Bull Shoals-White River State Park]] is along the downstream shoreline of [[Bull Shoals Lake]] at the [[Bull Shoals Dam]]. The park contains campgrounds, a marina, and visitor center. The dam tailwater is well known for [[trout fishing]].

Norfork Lake WMA is a series of protected walk-in hunting areas along [[Lake Norfork]] covered in hardwood forest with some pine and ranging topography. The four Baxter County units are Indian Head Unit, Chapin Point Unit, Seward Point Unit, and the Bennett's Creek Unit. The WMA is managed for deer, turkey and small game and attracts waterfowl during migration.<ref>{{Cite web |author= Staff of the AGFC |publisher= Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |title= Norfork Lake WMA |url= https://www.agfc.com/en/zone-map/739/ |location= Little Rock |format= PDF |date=  |access-date= October 10, 2022 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1880 = 6004
| 1890 = 8527
| 1900 = 9298
| 1910 = 10389
| 1920 = 10216
| 1930 = 9519
| 1940 = 10281
| 1950 = 11683
| 1960 = 9943
| 1970 = 15319
| 1980 = 27409
| 1990 = 31186
| 2000 = 38386
| 2010 = 41513
| 2020 = 41627
| estyear = 2024
| estimate = 43007
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 30, 2024}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 25, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 25, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ar190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=August 25, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=August 25, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2016<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/05/05005.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607031622/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/05/05005.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{{Pie chart
 | caption= Racial/Ethnic Makeup of Baxter County treating Hispanics as a Separate Category (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US05005&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=January 1, 2022|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
 |thumb=left
 | label1 = White Non-Hispanic
 | value1 = 91.4 | color2=#36A
 | label2 = Black Non-Hispanic
 | value2 = 0.21 | color1=#6A5
 | label3 = Native American Non-Hispanic
 | value3 = 0.52 | color3=#FF33AC
 | label4 = Asian Non-Hispanic
 | value4 = 0.56 | color4=#1A9
 | label5 = Pacific Islander Non-Hispanic
 | value5 = 0.02 | color5=#E17720
 | label6 = Other Non-Hispanic
 | value6 = 0.002 | color6=#F0FF00
 | label7 = Two or more races Non-Hispanic
 | value7 =  4.73 | color7=#64ECDF
 | label8 = Hispanic Any Race
 | value8 = 2.54 | color8=#9400D3
 }}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 41,627 people and 18,936 households in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|71|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 22,699 housing units at an average density of {{convert|39|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 92.5% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.6% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.0002% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.8% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.3% from two or more races. 2.5% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 18,936 households, out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, and 26.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 17.5% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 18.6% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 31.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.<ref>{{ cite web |author=Staff of the United States Census Bureau |title=Demographic Profile |year=2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Baxter+County,+Arkansas&d=DEC+Demographic+Profile&tid=DECENNIALDP2020.DP1 |work=[[2020 United States census]] |access-date=September 2, 2023 }}</ref>

The median income for a household in the county was $43,504, and the median income for a family was $52,342.<ref>{{ cite web |author=Staff of the United States Census Bureau |title=INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) |year=2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=median+household+income+in+Baxter+County,+Arkansas&t=Income+and+Poverty&y=2020&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1901 |work=2020 American Community Survey |access-date=September 2, 2023 }}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of 2010 Baxter County had a population of 41,513. The racial makeup was 95.96% Non-Hispanic whites, 0.16% blacks, 0.56% Native Americans, 0.41% Asians, 0.04% Pacific Islanders, 1.25% Non-Hispanics reporting more than one race and 1.66% Hispanic or Latino.

===2000 census===
[[Image:USA Baxter County, Arkansas age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|150px|Age pyramid Baxter County<ref>Based on [[2000 United States census|2000 census]] data</ref>]]
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website  }}</ref> there were 38,386 people, 17,052 households, and 11,799 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|69|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 19,891 housing units at an average density of {{convert|36|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.81% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 17,052 households, out of which 22.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.00% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 21.10% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 26.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,106, and the median income for a family was $34,578. Males had a median income of $25,976 versus $18,923 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,859. About 7.90% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.70% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

==Human resources==

===Education===
{{See also|Education in Arkansas}}
The 2019 [[American Community Survey]] found 88.7% of Baxter County residents over age 25 held a high school degree or higher and 17.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Baxter County exceeded statewide and nationwide averages for high school attainment (86.6% and 88.0%, respectively), but lags far behind on bachelor's degree attainment (23.0% and 32.1%, respectively).<ref>{{cite web |title= American Community Survey |year=2015–2019 |url= https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/baxtercountyarkansas,AR,US/PST045221 |publisher= United States Census Bureau |access-date= January 8, 2022 }}</ref>

====Primary and secondary education====

Three public school districts are based in Baxter County; [[Mountain Home School District (Arkansas)|Mountain Home School District]] is the largest school district in Baxter County, with [[Cotter School District]] serving the Cotter-Gassville area and the [[Norfork School District]] serving the southeast side of the county. Successful completion of the curriculum of these schools leads to graduation from [[Mountain Home High School (Arkansas)|Mountain Home High School]], [[Cotter High School (Arkansas)|Cotter High School]], or [[Norfork High School]] respectively. All three high schools are accredited by the [[Arkansas Department of Education]] (ADE).

Small areas in Baxter County are within the boundaries of [[Calico Rock School District]], [[Mountain View School District (Arkansas)|Mountain View School District]], and [[Viola School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st05_ar/schooldistrict_maps/c05005_baxter/DC20SD_C05005.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Baxter County, AR|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2025-01-10}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st05_ar/schooldistrict_maps/c05005_baxter/DC20SD_C05005_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

The Big Flat School District was in the county until July 1, 1985, when it merged with the Fifty Six School District into the [[Tri-County School District (Arkansas)|Tri-County School District]]. On July 1, 1993, the Tri-County district was dissolved, with portions going to various districts, including the Mountain View district.<ref name=Consolfrom1983>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20150912013154/http://www.arkansased.gov/public/userfiles/Legal/ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls]." [[Arkansas Department of Education]]. Retrieved on October 13, 2017.</ref>

====Higher education====
The lone institution of higher education in Baxter County is [[Arkansas State University-Mountain Home]] (ASUMH), a [[public college|public]] [[community college]]. Other nearby institutions include [[Ozarka College]] in [[Melbourne, Arkansas|Melbourne]] and [[North Arkansas College]] in [[Harrison, Arkansas|Harrison]].

====Libraries====
[[File:Donald W Reynolds Library.jpg|thumb|right|Donald W. Reynolds Library]]
The [[Donald W. Reynolds]] Library serving Baxter County was opened in September 2010 at 300 Library Hill in Mountain Home. The library offers books, e-books, media, reference, programs, youth, special collections, and genealogy services.

===Public health===
[[Baxter Health]] in Mountain Home offers acute inpatient care, [[emergency care]], [[diagnosis|diagnostics]], surgery, OB/GYN, rehabilitation, therapy, and senior care services.<ref>{{ cite web |last= Tucker |first= Noah |title= Baxter Regional Medical Center changing its name |publisher=[[KYTV (TV station)|KYTV]] |location= Springfield, MO |date= July 27, 2022 |url=https://www.ky3.com/2022/07/27/baxter-regional-medical-center-changing-its-name/ |access-date=March 11, 2023 }}</ref> The facility is rated as a [[Level 3 Trauma Center]] by the [[Arkansas Department of Health]].

The nearest [[Level 1 Trauma Center]]s are [[CoxHealth]] and [[Mercy (healthcare organization)|Mercy Hospital Springfield]], both in [[Springfield, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Designated Trauma Centers |date= March 7, 2023 |url=https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/Designated_Trauma_Centers.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311154739/https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/Designated_Trauma_Centers.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |publisher= Arkansas Department of Health |location=Little Rock |access-date= March 11, 2023 }}</ref>

===Public safety===
The [[Baxter County Sheriff's Office]] is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The agency is led by the Baxter County Sheriff, an official elected by countywide vote every four years. Police departments in Cotter, Gassville, Lakeview, and Mountain Home provide law enforcement in their respective jurisdictions, with remaining municipalities contracting with the Baxter County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services.

The county is under the jurisdiction of the Baxter County District Court, a [[Arkansas District Court|state district court]].<ref name="dc" >{{cite web |author= Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary |title= District Courts Directory |url= https://www.arcourts.gov/directories/district-courts?field_name_value=&field_district_court_target_id=1209&field_congressional_district_value=All |publisher= Arkansas Judiciary |access-date= January 21, 2023 }}</ref> State district courts in Arkansas are courts of [[original jurisdiction]] for criminal, civil, and traffic matters.<ref name="jd" >{{cite web |author= Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary |title= District Courts |url= https://www.arcourts.gov/courts/district-courts |date= July 1, 2019 |publisher= Arkansas Judiciary |access-date= January 21, 2023 }}</ref> State district courts are presided over by an elected full-time judge. The district court has seven departments, one in each municipality of Baxter County.<ref name="dc" />

Superseding district court jurisdiction is the [[Arkansas Circuit Courts|14th Judicial Circuit Court]], which covers Baxter, Boone, Marion, and Newton counties. The 14th Circuit contains four circuit judges, elected to six-year terms circuitwide.<ref name="cc" >{{cite web |author= Staff of the Arkansas Judiciary |title= Circuit Courts Directory |url= https://www.arcourts.gov/directories/circuit-judges?title=&field_county_circuit_target_id=&field_judicial_circuit_target_id=839 |publisher= Arkansas Judiciary |access-date= January 21, 2023 }}</ref>

[[Fire protection]] is provided by nineteen agencies in Baxter County, together covering the entire county except areas within the major lakes. Cotter, Gassville, Norfork, and Mountain Home, each provide fire protection, in some cases extending beyond corporate limits. Rural areas are served by the Buford Volunteer, Clarkridge Volunteer, Cotter-Gassville Rural, Gamaliel, Grover Township, Hand Cove Fire Protection District, Henderson, Lone Rock Volunteer, Midway Volunteer, Northeast Lakeside, Oakland-Promise Land Volunteer, Rodney Volunteer, Salesville, Tracy Area, and the [[United States Forest Service#Fighting fires|United States Forest Service]].<ref>{{ cite map |author= GIS Applications Laboratory |title= Arkansas Fire Districts |year= 2022 |url=https://gislabualr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d54f8061ddaf444b8321bcaedb125d4c |format= SHP |publisher=[[Arkansas Economic Development Institute]], [[University of Arkansas at Little Rock]] |scale= Various |location= Little Rock, Arkansas |access-date= January 21, 2023 }}</ref>

==Culture and contemporary life==
[[File:Cotter, Ark PA240383.jpg|right|thumb|Completion of the [[Cotter Bridge]] brought transportation to an insular area of the Ozark Mountains]]
{{Main|Culture of Arkansas}}
Baxter County has several facilities, monuments, and museums dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the area. Perhaps one of the most recognizable and important historic structures in Baxter County is the [[Cotter Bridge]] over the White River. Upon opening in 1930, the bridge opened Baxter County and north Arkansas to economic development and tourism by providing reliable transportation across the White River.

Two facilities interpret the county's history and heritage: the [[Jacob Wolf House]], a historic [[log cabin]] built in 1825, is operated as a [[historic house museum]] by the [[Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism]], and the Baxter County Heritage Center, located in the former [[Rollins Hospital]] in downtown Gassville. Five [[National Register of Historic Places]] (NRHP, [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Baxter County, Arkansas|complete county list]]) properties in the county relate to the history of education: [[Buford School Building]], [[Cold Water School]], and the [[Horace Mann School Historic District]], as well as [[Big Flat School Gymnasium]], [[Old Cotter High School Gymnasium]]. Several buildings are preserved for connections to the county's economic and cultural history: [[Baxter County Courthouse]], the [[Sid Hutcheson Building]] in Norfork, and several structures in the [[Mountain Home Commercial Historic District]].

===Annual cultural events===
Trout fishing enthusiasts visit the White River in Baxter County year-round,<ref>{{ cite web|last=Powell |first=Sam |title=Browns, Rainbows in White Trout Fishing a Paradise On This River in Arkansas |work=Tulsa World |location= Tulsa, OK |date= February 25, 1997 |page= B1 |via=NewsBank |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0EB54939AA895AEE |access-date=September 2, 2023 }}</ref> with several annual events also celebrating trout fishing: the [[Cotter, Arkansas|Cotter]] Trout Festival in Big Spring Park and the Sowbug Roundup at the Baxter County Fairgrounds are held in May,<ref>{{ cite news |title=Great Cotter Trout Festival begins May 4 |work=Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette |date=April 26, 2012 |url=https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2012/apr/26/cotter-host-trout-festival-20120426/ |access-date=September 2, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite news |title= Arkansas Fishing Report |work=The Courier |location=[[Russellville, AR]] |date=April 21, 2023 |via=NewsBank |url= https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/1910F4761A60A7B0 |access-date=September 2, 2023 }}</ref> and the Southern Council Federation of Flyfishers Fair is held on campus at ASUMH in September.<ref>{{ cite news |title=Fly fishermen to gather in northern Arkansas |work=[[The Joplin Globe]] |location=[[Joplin, MO]] |date=September 24, 2006 |via=NewsBank |url= https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/1145EC0FCD9036B8 |access-date=September 2, 2023 }}</ref>

The Mountain Home Farmer's Market operates on the downtown square on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April–November.<ref>{{ cite news |first=Julie |last=Stewart |title=Mountain Home looks to separate local, carted-in produce at market |work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette |location=Little Rock, AR |date=February 24, 2007 |page=13 |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/feb/24/mountain-home-looks-separate-local-carted-20070224/ |access-date=September 2, 2023 }}</ref> The Baxter County Fair is one of the most well-attended in Arkansas, and begins with a popular parade through downtown Mountain Home.<ref>{{ cite news |first=Julie |last= Stewart |title=After parade, mayor in lather over manure |work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette |location=Little Rock, AR |date=September 20, 2006 |pages= 9, 20 |via=NewsBank |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/16ACA82DB4E8C4F0 |access-date=September 2, 2023 }}</ref> Norfork Pioneer Days Heritage Festival is held annually on the third Saturday in May at the Jacob Wolf House.

The David's Trail Endurance Run was founded in 2017 as an [[ultramarathon]] around Lake Norfork in January.<ref>{{ cite news |work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette |first=Byrd |last= Conley III |title=David's Trail runs set for Friday, Saturday |location=Little Rock, AR |date=January 15, 2018 |page=20 |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/jan/15/david-s-trail-runs-set-for-friday-satur/ |access-date=September 2, 2023 }}</ref>

===Media===
{{see also|List of newspapers in Arkansas|List of radio stations in Arkansas|List of television stations in Arkansas}}
The county newspaper is ''[[The Baxter Bulletin]]'', a daily newspaper established in Mountain Home in 1901. The first newspaper published in Baxter County was the ''Quid Nunc'', from 1877 to 1880.<ref name="fwa">{{cite book |last= Allsopp |first= Frederick W. |url=https://www.archive.org/stream/historyofarkansa00allsuoft |format= PDF |title= History of the Arkansas Press for a Hundred Years and More |year=1922 |publisher=Parke-Harper Pub. Co. |via=Southern Historical Press |author-link=Frederick W. Allsopp |location= Little Rock, Ark |edition=Reprint |isbn=9780893080730 |oclc=3576168 |pages=59–60 }}</ref> The ''Baxter County Citizen'' was published in Mountain Home from 1880 until 1937.<ref name="harvp">{{cite book |last= Meriwether |first= Robert W. |title= A Chronicle of Arkansas Newspapers Published Since 1922 and of the Arkansas Press Association, 1930-1972 |year=1974 |publisher=Arkansas Press Association |location= Little Rock, Ark |oclc=2146483 |pages=5–6 }}</ref> Mountain Home was also home to briefly operated papers named ''The North Arkansas Herald'' (monthly, {{c.|1890}}) and ''The Arkansas News'' ({{c.|1897}}).<ref name="fwa" />

Cotter has been home to five newspapers over the years, the longest lasting being the ''Cotter Courier'' (1903-c. 1918)<ref name="fwa" /> and ''The Cotter Record'' (1911-1937).<ref name="harvp" /> Publications lasting only a year or so include ''The White River Headlight'',<ref name="fwa" /> ''The Screech Owl'', and the ''Bull Shoals Gazette''.<ref name="harvp" /> ''The Ozark Clarion'' was briefly published at [[Three Brothers, Arkansas|Three Brothers]] around 1912, and ''Norfork Enterprise'' ran briefly at Norfork.<ref name="fwa" />

Baxter County is within the [[Springfield, Missouri]] [[designated market area]] with the following local TV stations: [[KYTV (TV station)|KYTV]] ([[NBC]], [[KSPR-LD|33.1]] [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], [[KYCW-LD|33.2]] [[The CW|CW]] SD), [[KOLR]] ([[CBS]]), [[KOZK]] ([[PBS]]), [[KOZL-TV]], [[KWBM]], [[KSPR-LD]] (ABC), [[KBNS-CD]], and [[KRBK]] ([[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]).<ref>{{ cite web |title=Springfield, MO TV Channels |work=Station Index |url= https://www.stationindex.com/tv/markets/Springfield,+MO |access-date= September 2, 2023 }}</ref>

The county is home to four FM radio stations: [[KCMH (FM)]] (91.5 FM, "Keep Christ Most High"), [[KKTZ]] (107.5 FM), [[KTLO-FM]] (97.9 FM), and [[KPFM (FM)]] (105.5&nbsp;MHz),<ref>{{ cite web |title= Arkansas FM Radio Stations |publisher= [[Federal Communications Commission]] |location= [[Washington DC]] |work= FM Query Results |date= September 2, 2023 |access-date= September 2, 2023 |url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?state=AR }}</ref> and one AM radio station: [[KTLO (AM)]] (1240 AM).<ref>{{ cite web |title= Arkansas AM Radio Stations |publisher= Federal Communications Commission |location= Washington DC |work= AM Query Results |date= September 2, 2023 |access-date= September 2, 2023 |url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?state=AR }}</ref>

==Government==
[[File:Baxter County Courthouse Courtroom.jpg|thumb|Quorum court meets in the second floor courtroom at the Baxter County Courthouse]]
{{See also|Government of Arkansas|County judge|Quorum Court}}
The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the [[Constitution of Arkansas]] and the Arkansas Code. The quorum court is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are called ''justices of the peace'' and are elected from county districts every even-numbered year. The number of districts in a county vary from nine to fifteen based on population, and district boundaries are drawn by the Baxter County Election Commission. The Baxter County Quorum Court has eleven members.<ref>{{cite web |title= Baxter County |url= http://www.arcounties.org/counties/baxter/ |publisher= Association of Arkansas Counties |access-date= April 30, 2017 }}</ref> Presiding over quorum court meetings is the ''county judge'', who serves as the [[chief operating officer]] of the county. The county judge is elected at-large and does not vote in quorum court business, although capable of vetoing quorum court decisions.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title= Quorum Courts |url= http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=6348 |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]] |publisher= [[Butler Center for Arkansas Studies]] at the [[Central Arkansas Library System]] |date= March 24, 2014 |last= Teske |first= Steven |access-date= January 23, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title= Office of County Judge |url= http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=5720 |encyclopedia= [[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]] |publisher= Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System |date= August 28, 2015 |last= Goss |first= Kay C. |access-date= January 23, 2016 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Baxter County, Arkansas, elected countywide officials<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Baxter County Government |url=https://www.baxtercountyar.gov/contact_us.php |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=www.baxtercountyar.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Baxter {{!}} Association of Arkansas Counties |url=https://www.arcounties.org/counties/baxter/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=www.arcounties.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 General Election County, District Officials |url=https://www.arcounties.org/site/assets/files/6033/november_races.pdf |website=www.arcounties.org}}</ref>
!Position
!Officeholder
!Party
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|[[County judge|County Judge]]
|Kevin Litty
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|[[Municipal clerk|County]]/[[Court clerk|Circuit Clerk]]
|Canda Reese
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|[[Sheriff]]
|John Montgomery
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|[[Treasurer]]
|Jenay Mize
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|[[Tax collector|Collector]]
|Teresa Smith
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|[[Tax assessment|Assessor]]
|Jayme Nicholson
|Republican
|-style="background-color:#F48882;
|[[Coroner]]
|Brad Hays
|Republican
|-
|[[Surveying|Surveyor]]
|Charles Slater
|(Unknown)
|}
The composition of the Quorum Court following the 2024 elections is 11 Republicans. Justices of the Peace (members) of the Quorum Court following the elections are:<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Baxter County, Arkansas, elections, 2024 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Baxter_County,_Arkansas,_elections,_2024 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref>

* District 1: Dennis Frank (R) of Lakeview
* District 2: Mike McDonald (R) of Mountain Home
* District 3: Rick Steiner (R) of Mountain Home
* District 4: Dirk Waldrop (R) of Mountain Home
* District 5: Maryanne Edge (R) of Mountain Home
* District 6: Lisa House (R) of Gassville
* District 7: Bob Nault (R) of Mountain Home
* District 8: Eddie Griffin (R) of Mountain Home
* District 9: Cameron Davis (R) of Mountain Home
* District 10: Shannon Walker (R) of Gassville
* District 11: Eric Payne (R) of Norfork

Additionally, the townships of Baxter County are entitled to elect their own respective constables, as set forth by the [[Constitution of Arkansas]]. Constables are largely of historical significance as they were used to keep the peace in rural areas when travel was more difficult.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is a Constable? |url=https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/ced-blog/posts/2022/may/what-is-a-constable.aspx |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=What is a Constable? |language=en}}</ref> The township constables as of the 2024 elections are:<ref name=":1" />

* District 1: Douglas Stephenson (R)
* District 2: Nathan Horn (R)
* District 3: Kaleb Johnson (R)
* District 4: Julie Little (R)
* District 5: Bradley Beard (R)
* District 6: Ryan Beasley (R)
* District 7: Cade Seal (R)
* District 8: Tyler Brown (R)
* District 9: Billy Cox (R)
* District 10: Ronald Weaver (R)
* District 11: Frankie Baker (R)

==Politics==
In the [[Arkansas Senate]], Baxter County is within the 23rd District, which also contains Marion County and parts of Boone, Fulton, and Izard counties, and has been represented by [[Scott Flippo]] (R) since 2015. In the [[Arkansas House of Representatives]], Baxter County is split among three districts: the 3rd District ([[Stetson Painter]], R, since 2023), the 4th District ([[Jack Fortner]], R, since 2023), and the 27th ([[Steven Walker (politician)|Steven Walker]], R, since 2023).<ref>{{cite map|author=[[Arkansas Economic Development Institute]]|title=Arkansas District Finder|publisher=[[University of Arkansas at Little Rock]]|location=Little Rock|scale=Various|url=https://districtfinder.youraedi.com/|access-date=September 4, 2023}}</ref>

At the presidential level, Baxter County was ancestrally reliably Democratic, voting for the Democratic nominee in every election through 1952. In 1956, Baxter County backed Republican [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], and ever since it has grown increasingly Republican, being one of only three counties in the state to support [[Gerald Ford]] against [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1976. The only Democrat after 1948 to win a majority was [[Lyndon Johnson]] in 1964, and the only subsequent Democrat to carry Baxter County was Arkansas native Bill Clinton in 1992.
{{PresHead|place=Baxter County, Arkansas|source=<ref name="DL">{{cite web|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|262|980|2|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|287|723|5|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|236|426|24|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|300|607|69|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|142|536|318|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|318|914|0|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|484|707|70|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|301|640|162|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|504|665|11|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|194|1,039|21|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|375|773|7|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|489|859|7|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|572|796|4|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|553|1,098|109|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,387|1,388|18|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,721|1,451|20|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,108|1,694|77|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,986|2,900|5|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,401|1,952|1,513|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,754|2,677|129|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|5,885|5,766|0|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|9,684|4,789|674|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|10,870|4,528|166|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|8,614|4,808|175|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|5,640|6,991|3,101|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|6,877|6,703|1,925|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|9,538|6,516|654|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|11,128|7,129|273|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|12,852|6,539|590|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|13,688|5,172|479|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|14,682|4,169|915|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|15,836|4,635|536|Arkansas}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|16,253|4,341|360|Arkansas}}
{{PresFoot}}

===Taxation===
{{See also|Taxation in the United States}}
[[Property tax]] is assessed by the Baxter County Assessor annually based upon the fair market value of the property and determining which tax rate, commonly called a ''millage'' in Arkansas, will apply. The rate depends upon the property's location with respect to city limits, school district, and special [[tax increment financing]] (TIF) districts. This tax is collected by the Baxter County Collector between the first business day of March of each year through October 15 without penalty. The Baxter County Treasurer disburses tax revenues to various government agencies, such as cities, county road departments, fire departments, libraries, and police departments in accordance with the budget set by the quorum court.

Sales and use taxes in Arkansas are voter approved and collected by the [[Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration]].
Arkansas's statewide [[sales tax|sales]] and [[use tax]] has been 6.5% since July 1, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title= State Tax Rates |date= January 1, 2019 |url= https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/taxes/excise-tax-administration/sales-use-tax/sales-use-tax-rates/state-sales-use-tax-rates/ |publisher= Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration |access-date= September 2, 2023 }}</ref> Baxter County has an additional sales and use tax of 1.25% since January 1, 2019. Within Baxter County, the City of Mountain Home has had an additional 2.125% sales and use tax since July 1, 2021, and Cotter has had an additional 2% since January 1, 2022, with the remaining incorporated communities having 1.00% sales and use tax rates.<ref>{{cite web |title= List of Cities and Counties with Local Sales and Use Tax |date= July–September 2023 |url= https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/taxes/excise-tax-administration/sales-use-tax/sales-use-tax-rates/city-and-county-sales-use-tax-rates/ |publisher= Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration |access-date= September 2, 2023 }}</ref> The [[Arkansas State Treasurer]] disburses tax revenue to counties/cities in accordance with tax rules.

==Communities==
Seven incorporated cities and one town are located within the county. The largest city and county seat is [[Mountain Home, Arkansas|Mountain Home]], located centrally between Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Norfork. Mountain Home had a population of 12,825 at the 2020 census and is the focal point of the Mountain Home, AR, [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which includes all of Baxter County. [[Cotter, Arkansas|Cotter]] and [[Gassville, Arkansas|Gassville]] are located west of Mountain Home. [[Briarcliff, Arkansas|Briarcliff]], [[Norfork, Arkansas|Norfork]], and [[Salesville, Arkansas|Salesville]] are small towns with populations under 1,000 south of Mountain Home. [[Lakeview, Arkansas|Lakeview]] is a small municipality on Bull Shoals Lake. The small town of [[Big Flat, Arkansas|Big Flat]] is located in the southern part of Baxter County, and partly in Searcy County.

The United States Census Bureau has also designated four unincorporated communities as [[Census-designated place]]s: [[Gamaliel, Arkansas|Gamaliel]] and [[Henderson, Arkansas|Henderson]] near Norfork Lake, [[Buffalo City, Arkansas|Buffalo City]] near the Buffalo National River, and [[Midway, Baxter County, Arkansas|Midway]] between Mountain Home and Lakeview.

===Other unincorporated communities===
Baxter County has dozens of unincorporated communities and ghost towns within its borders. This is due to early settlers in Arkansas tending to settle in small clusters rather than incorporated towns. Some communities, including Bennett's, Cumi, Custer, and Hand were inundated during creation of Lake Norfork.<ref>{{ cite book |last=Messick |first=Mary Ann |title= History of Baxter County |year=1973 |edition=Centennial |publisher=Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce |page=82 |location=Mountain Home, Arkansas |lccn=73-82235 |oclc=724611 }}</ref> For example, communities like [[Clarkridge, Arkansas|Clarkridge]] and [[Monkey Run, Arkansas|Monkey Run]] had a post office or other buildings at some point in their history. Other communities are simply a few dwellings at a crossroads, or a residential area near a cove or point on the lake that have adopted a common place name over time. Some are officially listed as populated places by the United States Geological Survey, and others are listed as historic settlements.

{{div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Advance, Arkansas|Advance]]
* [[Amos, Arkansas|Amos]]
* [[Arkana, Baxter County, Arkansas|Arkana]]
* [[Arkawana, Arkansas|Arkawana]]
* [[Buford, Arkansas|Buford]]
* [[Cartney, Arkansas|Cartney]]
* [[Colfax, Arkansas|Colfax]]
* [[County Line, Arkansas|County Line]]
* [[Culp, Arkansas|Culp]]
* [[Diamond Bay, Arkansas|Diamond Bay]]
* [[Dogwood Park, Arkansas|Dogwood Park]]
* [[Fawn Park, Arkansas|Fawn Park]]
* [[Heritage Estates, Arkansas|Heritage Estates]]
* [[Holiday Hills, Arkansas|Holiday Hills]]
* [[Hopewell, Baxter County, Arkansas|Hopewell]]
* [[Jordan, Arkansas|Jordan]]
* [[Kingswood Estates, Arkansas|Kingswood Estates]]
* [[Lakeside Terrace, Arkansas|Lakeside Terrace]]
* [[Lone Rock, Arkansas|Lone Rock]]
* [[Mallard Point, Arkansas|Mallard Point]]
* [[McPhearson, Arkansas|McPhearson]]
* [[Norfork Lake Estates, Arkansas|Norfork Lake Estates]]
* [[Norfork Village, Arkansas|Norfork Village]]
* [[Old Joe, Arkansas|Old Joe]]
* [[Rodney, Arkansas|Rodney]]
* [[Shady Grove, Baxter County, Arkansas|Shady Grove]]
* [[Shipp, Arkansas|Shipp]]
* [[Spring Lake Estates, Arkansas|Spring Lake Estates]]
* [[Sycamore Heights, Arkansas|Sycamore Heights]]
* [[Sycamore Spring, Arkansas|Sycamore Spring]]
* [[Three Brothers, Arkansas|Three Brothers]]
* [[Timber Lane Manor, Arkansas|Timber Lake Manor]]
* [[Whiteville, Arkansas|Whiteville]]
* [[Woods Point Landing, Arkansas|Woods Point Landing]]
{{div col end}}

===Historic communities===
{{div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Berry, Arkansas|Berry]]
* [[Casteel, Arkansas|Casteel]]
* [[Chastain, Arkansas|Chastain]]
* [[Conville, Arkansas|Conville]]
* [[Covey, Arkansas|Covey]]
* [[Herron, Arkansas|Herron]]
* [[Independence, Arkansas|Independence]]
* [[Jonesdale, Arkansas|Jonesdale]]
* [[Laytonville, Arkansas|Laytonville]]
* [[Spencer, Arkansas|Spencer]]
* [[Wake, Arkansas|Wake]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
[[File:Baxter County Arkansas 2010 Township Map large.jpg|thumb|Townships in Baxter County, Arkansas, as of 2010]]

{{Arkansas Townships About|County = Baxter}}
<ref>{{Cite map
 | publisher = U. S. Census Bureau
 | title = 2011 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS): Baxter County, AR
 | url = http://www2.census.gov/geo/pvs/bas/bas11/st05_ar/cou/c05005_baxter/BAS11C20500500000_000.pdf
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121019104620/http://www2.census.gov/geo/pvs/bas/bas11/st05_ar/cou/c05005_baxter/BAS11C20500500000_000.pdf
 | url-status = dead
 | archive-date = October 19, 2012
 | access-date = July 26, 2011
 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/block/2010/cousub/dc10blk_st05_cousub.html#B | title = Arkansas: 2010 Census Block Maps - County Subdivision | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date = May 27, 2014}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;"
|- style="background:#ccf;"
! Township
! [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS]]&nbsp;code
! [[American National Standards Institute|ANSI]]&nbsp;code<br />([[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]]&nbsp;ID)
! Population<br />center(s)
! Pop.<br />([[2010 United States Census|2010]])
! Pop.<br />density<br />(/mi<sup>2</sup>)
! Pop.<br />density<br />(/km<sup>2</sup>)
! Land area<br />(mi<sup>2</sup>)
! Land area<br />(km<sup>2</sup>)
! Water area<br />(mi<sup>2</sup>)
! Water area<br />(km<sup>2</sup>)
! Geographic coordinates
|-
| [[Bayou Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Bayou]]
| {{FIPS|05|90165|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069555}}
|
| 360
| 13.90
| 5.37
| {{convert|25.900|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|1.045|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.467714|N|92.209491|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Big Flat Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Big Flat]]
| {{FIPS|05|90288|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069556}}
| [[Big Flat, Arkansas|Big Flat]]
| 198
| 4.15
| 1.6
| {{convert|47.761|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|0.021|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.026753|N|92.358551|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Buckhorn Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Buckhorn]]
| {{FIPS|05|90525|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069557}}
| [[Briarcliff, Arkansas|Briarcliff]], [[Norfork, Arkansas|Norfork]], [[Salesville, Arkansas|Salesville]]
| 969
| 58.71
| 22.67
| {{convert|16.504|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|0.739|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.237454|N|92.291449|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Buford Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Buford]]
| {{FIPS|05|90540|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069558}}
|
| 1295
| 32.86
| 12.69
| {{convert|39.415|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|0.553|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.232621|N|92.418200|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Greenwood Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Greenwood]]
| {{FIPS|05|91524|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069559}}
|
| 164
| 4.32
| 1.67
| {{convert|37.929|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|0.300|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.110093|N|92.256098|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Grover Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Grover]]
| {{FIPS|05|91548|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069560}}
| [[Lakeview, Arkansas|Lakeview]], [[Midway, Baxter County, Arkansas|Midway]]
| 2438
| 186.23
| 71.92
| {{convert|13.091|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|2.123|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.380141|N|92.529738|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Independence Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Independence]]
| {{FIPS|05|91818|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069561}}
| [[Midway, Baxter County, Arkansas|Midway]], [[Mountain Home, Arkansas|Mountain Home]]
| 1891
| 59.06
| 32.3
| {{convert|32.018|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|0.027|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.352625|N|92.474704|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Logan Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Logan]]
| {{FIPS|05|92247|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069562}}
| [[Midway, Baxter County, Arkansas|Midway]]
| 1566
| 38.29
| 14.78
| {{convert|40.898|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|0.092|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.443895|N|92.473419|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Lone Rock Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Lone Rock]]
| {{FIPS|05|92265|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069563}}
|
| 415
| 15.05
| 5.81
| {{convert|27.566|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|0.490|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.167387|N|92.319143|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Matney Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Matney]]
| {{FIPS|05|92424|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069564}}
|
| 107
| 4.40
| 1.70
| {{convert|24.297|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|0.186|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.140874|N|92.401774|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Mill Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Mill]]
| {{FIPS|05|92460|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069565}}
|
| 2478
| 58.82
| 22.71
| {{convert|42.125|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|9.032|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.392563|N|92.228985|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Mountain Home Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Mountain Home]]
| {{FIPS|05|92616|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069566}}
| [[Mountain Home, Arkansas|Mountain Home]]
| 19659
| 376.61
| 145.40
| {{convert|52.200|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|0.090|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.335503|N|92.370086|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[North Fork Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|North Fork]]
| {{FIPS|05|92709|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069567}}
| [[Norfork, Arkansas|Norfork]]
| 1574
| 37.66
| 14.54
| {{convert|41.793|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|1.259|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.199399|N|92.222462|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Pigeon Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Pigeon]]
| {{FIPS|05|92877|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069568}}
|
| 1850
| 35.87
| 13.85
| {{convert|51.570|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|3.516|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.446831|N|92.352986|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Union Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Union]]
| {{FIPS|05|94062|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069099}}
| [[Briarcliff, Arkansas|Briarcliff]]
| 1856
| 44.08
| 17.02
| {{convert|42.101|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|12.305|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.282254|N|92.221680|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| [[Whiteville Township, Baxter County, Arkansas|Whiteville]]
| {{FIPS|05|94035|005}}
| {{GNIS4|00069570}}
| [[Cotter, Arkansas|Cotter]], [[Gassville, Arkansas|Gassville]], [[Mountain Home, Arkansas|Mountain Home]]
| 4693
| 164.48
| 63.50
| {{convert|28.533|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{convert|0.591|sqmi|sqkm|disp=table|sigfig=4}}
| {{Coord|36.296363|N|92.492255|W|region:US-AR}}
|-
| colspan=11 | ''Source: U.S. Census Bureau''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/county_sub_list_05.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531142556/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/county_sub_list_05.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 31, 2014 |work=Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files |title=County Subdivisions: Arkansas |format=[[Text file|TXT]] |publisher=United States Census Bureau }}</ref><ref>
{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer2010.html | title = Census 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files | publisher = United States Census Bureau }}</ref>
|}

==Infrastructure==
===Aviation===
The county contains one public owned/public use airport: [[Baxter County Airport]], a small, rural airport west of Mountain Home with over 11,000 annual operations, almost entirely [[general aviation]].<ref>{{FAA-airport|ID=BPK|use=PU|own=PU|site=01104.4*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective April 18, 2024.</ref> The county contains three private airfields, including [[Gaston's Airport|Gaston's White River Resort Airstrip]], which is available for public use.<ref>{{FAA-airport|ID=3M0|use=PU|own=PR|site=01042.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective April 18, 2024.</ref><ref name="bax">{{Cite map |author= ((Transportation Planning and Policy Division)) |sections= |publisher= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title= General Highway Map, Baxter County, Arkansas |location= Little Rock |url= https://ardot-gis-imagery.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/PLAN/GIS/MAPS/COUNTY_MAPS_GHM/BaxterCounty.pdf |orig-year=May 30, 2002 |date=December 28, 2016 |edition=Revised |scale= 1:62,500 |oclc=909039471 |access-date= May 4, 2024 }}</ref> The nearest [[commercial service airport]] is [[Springfield–Branson National Airport]].

===Major highways===
[[File:US 62 and US 412 in Mountain Home.jpg|right|thumb|US&nbsp;62/US&nbsp;412 serves Mountain Home between two winding, rural segments through the Ozark Mountains]]
Baxter County is not served by any Interstate highways; the nearest access to the Interstate system is [[Interstate 44]] (I-44) in Springfield, Missouri. The main roadway across the county is a [[Concurrency (road)|concurrency]] between [[U.S. Route 62 in Arkansas|US Highway&nbsp;62]] (US&nbsp;62) and [[U.S. Route 412 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;412]], which run east-west across Baxter County on their route across the northern part of Arkansas. The highway also has two [[business route]]s in Baxter County: [[U.S. Route 62 Business (Mountain Home, Arkansas)|U.S. Route 62 Business]] (US&nbsp;62B) in Mountain Home and [[U.S. Route 62 Business (Cotter, Arkansas)|US&nbsp;62B]] in Cotter.

Thirteen [[List of state highways in Arkansas|state highway]] designations serve the traveling public in the county, ranging from short connector routes to long highways traversing the entire county. Some numbers have multiple distinct segments in Baxter County.{{#tag:ref|Including unsigned state highway designation [[Arkansas Highway 600]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Road-Log-Database.zip |title = Arkansas Road Log Database |author = Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |year = 2015 |publisher = Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |format = MDB |access-date = March 27, 2016 }}</ref>|group=Note}} [[Arkansas Highway 5]] (AR&nbsp;5) is the only route running continuously across the county from south to north, providing connectivity to Missouri in the north and Little Rock to the south. [[Arkansas Highway 14|Highway&nbsp;14]] runs east-west across much of the state, running in southern Baxter County between [[Marshall, Arkansas|Marshall]] and [[Mountain View, Arkansas|Mountain View]]. [[Arkansas Highway 101|Highway&nbsp;101]] and [[Arkansas Highway 201|Highway&nbsp;201]] serve as north-south routes between Salesville and Norfork Dam and Missouri, respectively. Four routes serve as connections to lakes or rivers: [[Arkansas Highway 126|Highway&nbsp;126]], [[Arkansas Highway 177|Highway&nbsp;177]], [[Arkansas Highway 178|Highway&nbsp;178]], [[Arkansas Highway 342|Highway&nbsp;342]]. [[Arkansas Highway 341|Highway&nbsp;341]] (Push Mountain Road) runs in the Ozark National Forest. [[Arkansas Highway 345]] serves to connect Cotter and Gassville. [[Arkansas Highway 202|Highway&nbsp;202]] and [[Arkansas Highway 263|Highway&nbsp;263]] run in the county only briefly.<ref name="bax" />

===Rail===
The [[Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad]] crosses the county along the White River, including a [[rail yard]] in Cotter.<ref name="bax" />

===Utilities===
[[File:Cotter Water Tower.JPG|right|thumb|upright|Historic [[Cotter Water Tower]] listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]]]
{{See also|List of public utilities in Arkansas}}
The [[North Arkansas Electric Cooperative]], based in [[Salem, Fulton County, Arkansas|Salem]], is a non-profit electric [[utility cooperative]] serving much of the Arkansas Ozarks, including the rural areas of Baxter County with electric service. [[Entergy|Entergy Arkansas]] provides electricity for Mountain Home, Cotter, Gassville, and nearby populated outlying areas, and the area around Big Flat.<ref>{{ cite map |title=Electric Utility Service Territories (polygon) |date= April 3, 2023 |orig-year=June 5, 2009 |edition= Update |url= http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgis.arkansas.gov%2Farcgis%2Frest%2Fservices%2FFEATURESERVICES%2FUtilities%2FFeatureServer%2F11&source=sd |publisher= Arkansas GIS Office |access-date= May 4, 2024 }}</ref>

The [[Arkansas Department of Health]] (ADH) is responsible for the regulation and oversight of public water systems throughout the state. Nine community water systems are based in Baxter County: Baxter-Marion Rural Water Association No. 1 (BMRWA #1), Big Flat Water System, City of Briarcliff, Community Water Association, City of Cotter, City of Gassville, Lakeview Midway Public Water Authority, City of Mountain Home Water & Wastewater Department, City of Norfork Water Department, and Northeast Public Water Authority. There are also six minor systems serving residential areas: Autumn Acres Mobile Home Park (MHP), Crestwood MHP, Edgewood Bay Association, Laurelwood Homeowners Association, Starlight Estates, and Tall Oaks MHP.<ref>{{cite web |title= Community Water System Data |publisher= Arkansas Department of Health, Engineering Section |location= Little Rock |url= https://www.ark.org/health/eng/autoupdates/data.xls |access-date= May 4, 2024 }}</ref>

==Notable residents==
[[Image:C D Wright by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Carolyn D. Wright]], poet]]

* [[Richard Antrim]], naval rear admiral, World War II veteran and [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
* [[Lonnie D. Bentley]], professor and the head of the Department of Computer and Information Technology at [[Purdue University]]
* [[Robbie Branscum]], writer of children's books and young adult fiction
* [[William U. McCabe]], represented Baxter County in the [[Arkansas Senate]] from 1921 to 1924, and in the [[Arkansas House of Representatives]] in 1931 until his death
* [[Vada Sheid]], longtime member of the [[Arkansas General Assembly]] representing Baxter County
* [[Carolyn D. Wright]] – poet, born in Mountain Home

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Baxter County, Arkansas]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Arkansas books}}
*{{ cite book |author=Baxter County Historical Society Book Committee |title=History and families of Baxter County, Arkansas |year=2003 |location=Paducah, Kentucky |publisher=Turner Publishing Co. |isbn=9781563119224 |oclc=865999618 }}
*{{ cite book |last=Messick |first=Mary Ann |title= History of Baxter County |year=1973 |edition=Centennial |publisher=Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce |location=Mountain Home, Arkansas |lccn=73-82235 |oclc=724611 }}
*{{ cite book |title= Schoolcraft in the Ozarks |first= Henry Rowe |last=Schoolcraft |editor-first=Hugh |editor-last=Park |year=1955 |publisher= Press-Argus Printers |location=Van Buren, Arkansas |edition=Reprint |oclc=2583865 }}
*{{ cite book |first=Frances H. |last=Shiras |title= History of Baxter County |year=1939 |edition=First |publisher=J.W. Daniel and Shiras Bros. Print Shop |oclc=2481304 }}

==External links==
* [http://www.baxtercounty.org/ Baxter County government's website]
* [http://www.k5ozk.net/ Ozark Amateur Radio Club - website]
{{Geographic Location
| Centre    = Baxter County, Arkansas
| North     = [[Ozark County, Missouri]]
| Northeast =
| East      = [[Fulton County, Arkansas|Fulton County]]
| Southeast = [[Izard County, Arkansas|Izard County]]
| South     = [[Stone County, Arkansas|Stone County]]
| Southwest = [[Searcy County, Arkansas|Searcy County]]
| West      = [[Marion County, Arkansas|Marion County]]
| Northwest =
}}

{{Baxter County, Arkansas}}
{{Arkansas}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|36|18|25|N|92|21|17|W|region:US-AR_type:adm2nd_source:dewiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Baxter County, Arkansas| ]]
[[Category:1873 establishments in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1873]]