Desha County, Arkansas
Desha County is located along the Mississippi River in southeastern Arkansas and is part of the Delta region, with flatlands stretching across the area. Arkansas City serves as the county seat and was once a busy river port, although it now has fewer than 500 residents.
McGehee is the largest town in Desha County and is home to the Japanese American Internment Museum, which tells an important and lesser-known story of World War II in Arkansas.
The county is a major agricultural producer, with rice, soybeans, and cotton among its key crops. Residents and visitors can also explore the Trusten Holder Wildlife Management Area for hunting and fishing opportunities.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Desha County |
| County Seat | Arkansas City |
| Population | Approximately 10,500 |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Dumas, McGehee, Arkansas City, Reed, Watson, Mitchellville, Rohwer, Snow Lake |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Route 65, U.S. Route 165, U.S. Route 278, State Route 1, State Route 4, State Route 138 |
| FIPS Code | 05-041 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 820 square miles (Land: 768 sq mi, Water: 52 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Arkansas County (North), Phillips County (Northeast), Bolivar County, Mississippi (East), Chicot County (South), Drew County (Southwest), Lincoln County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Standard Time (CST) |
| State | Arkansas |
| Coordinates | 33.8106° N, 91.2846° W |
| Etymology | Named after Benjamin Desha, a territorial legislator and War of 1812 veteran |
| Major Landmarks | Rohwer Japanese American Relocation Center Memorial Cemetery, Lake Chicot State Park, Desha County Courthouse, Arkansas Post National Memorial |
