Saline County

Saline County is named for large geologic salt formations found within the county borders. The county was formed in 1835 from portions of Hempstead and Pulaski counties. Neighboring counties include Pulaski County, Grant County, Hot Springs County, Garland County, and Perry County.

History

Saline County was established on November 2, 1835. The county is famous for its rich mineral resources. Early salt works in the county supplied the precious mineral to places throughout the mid-south. Bauxite was discovered in 1887.

Geography

Saline County, 725 square miles in size, is generally hilly and forested. The Saline River flows through the county.

Transportation infrastructure

Interstate 30 passes through the county from the northeast to the southwest. Arkansas Highway 9 enters the county at the northern border, and passes through Paron before dead-ending at Arkansas Highway 5 in Crows.

Economy

The mineral resources of Saline County have long been important to the economy of the county. Salt exports were superseded in commodity value by bauxite. About 97 percent of the bauxite in the country was at one time mined in Saline County. Bauxite is used to make aluminum.

Law, government, and politics

The county judge is Lanny Fite. The county seat of Saline County is Benton. The Benton County Courthouse was used in the filming of parts of the 1972 film White Lightning starring Burt Reynolds.

Places of interest

The Gann Museum of Saline County is constructed from bauxite boulders and contains exhibits on county history.

Demographics

According to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau the population of the county was 83,529.

• 1980 - 53,088
• 1990 - 64,183
• 2000 - 83,529
• 2005 - 91,188

Communities

Saline County has a number of incorporated cities within its boundaries: Benton, Bryant, and Haskell. Incorporated towns in the county are Alexander, Bauxite, Traskwood, and Tull.

Other populated places in Saline County:

• Altharp (historical)
• Alum (historical)
• Avilla
• Bauxite Junction
• Bland
• Blocher
• Brooks
• Brooks (historical)
• Bryant Oaks
• Careywood
• Cold Springs (historical)
• Collegeville
• Congo
• Crows
• Cunningham (historical)
• Curtis (historical)
• Detonti
• Dirtdauber (historical)
• East End
• Edgewood
• Electric (historical)
• Evergreen
• Fairplay (historical)
• Gibbons (historical)
• Goodman
• Grape
• Hurricane (historical)
• Kentucky
• Klondike (historical)
• Lakeside
• Lena
• Lignite
• Nance
• Opitz (historical)
• Owensville
• Paron
• Pine Haven
• Raintree Acres
• Reform
• Richardson Place
• Rubicon
• Salem
• Sardis
• Shannon Hills
• Shaw
• Sherwood Estates
• Slocomb (historical)
• Springhill
• Tatumville (historical)
• Twin Oaks
• Vimy Ridge
• Whitlock (historical)
• Woodland (historical)
• Woodland Hills