Columbia County, Arkansas
Columbia County is located in southwest Arkansas and has a strong connection to the region’s oil industry. Magnolia serves as the county seat and is home to Southern Arkansas University. The county was named in honor of Christopher Columbus.
Magnolia is known for the World’s Longest Barbecue on Wheels. Nearby Emerson hosts the annual PurpleHull Pea Festival and World Championship Rotary Tiller Race, one of the area’s most unusual and entertaining traditions.
Visitors can explore Lake Columbia and Logoly State Park, Arkansas’s first environmental education state park. The county also hosts the Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cook-Off, which draws visitors for food, entertainment, and community celebrations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Columbia County |
| County Seat | Magnolia |
| Population | Approximately 23,000 |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Magnolia, Waldo, Emerson, McNeil, Taylor |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Route 79, U.S. Route 82, U.S. Route 371, State Route 19, State Route 160, State Route 98 |
| FIPS Code | 05-027 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 767 square miles (Land: 764 sq mi, Water: 3 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Nevada County (North), Ouachita County (Northeast), Union County (East), Claiborne Parish, Louisiana (Southeast), Webster Parish, Louisiana (South), Lafayette County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Standard Time (CST) |
| State | Arkansas |
| Coordinates | 33.2283° N, 93.1772° W |
| Etymology | Named after Christopher Columbus, the famous explorer |
| Major Landmarks | Southern Arkansas University, Logoly State Park, Columbia County Courthouse, Magnolia Blossom Festival, Lake Columbia |
