Population7,923 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Steamboat Stories Across the Wide Grand Prairie
Prairie County, ArkansasPrairie County combines the open agricultural landscape of the Grand Prairie with communities shaped by the White River. Des Arc and DeValls Bluff serve as its two county seats, a useful detail for both visitors and residents. In Des Arc, the Lower White River Museum explains how transportation and river-based trades influenced settlement. Rice farming and the county’s broad lowland setting add another perspective on a place whose history is closely tied to water.
Prairie County at a Glance
Population7,923 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatDes Arc and DeValls Bluff (dual county seats)
Established1846
Total Area, Including Water675.566 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesInterstate 40
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Discover Prairie County
Prairie County
Prairie County was established in 1846 and named for the Grand Prairie region. Its two seats, Des Arc and DeValls Bluff, reflect a county with more than one civic center. Along the White River, steamboats and river commerce helped connect communities to markets and travelers. The Lower White River Museum interprets that economy through subjects including timber, fishing, pearling and button making, showing how the river supported a wider range of work than transportation alone.
Des Arc makes a useful starting point for a museum-focused visit, with the Lower White River Museum offering context for the landscape outside. DeValls Bluff provides another community and courthouse setting farther along the county's river geography. The surrounding farmland introduces the Grand Prairie's agricultural identity. If your visit includes county services, confirm the correct district before traveling; the two seats are separate destinations rather than interchangeable names for the same courthouse.
What Shapes Us
River-Based Work
The Lower White River Museum explores industries such as timber, pearling and button making, connecting everyday work with the river's importance as a transportation route.
Two Civic Centers
Des Arc and DeValls Bluff share county-seat responsibilities, giving Prairie County two courthouse communities and making district information important for anyone planning county business.
Grand Prairie Farming
The county's name connects it with the Grand Prairie, where rice cultivation and broad agricultural fields form an important part of the regional landscape.
Follow the White River through work, travel and memory.
A Closer Look
Prairie County
Places and perspectives from Prairie County
Explore & Connect
County Guides and Public Contacts
Explore county information and find public offices and local resources.
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Explore & Connect
Useful links for planning your next step in Arkansas.
County Guides and Public Contacts
Explore county information and find public offices and local resources.
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Explore Arkansas State Parks
Find parks, trails, camping information, and visitor updates from Arkansas State Parks.
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Discover the Buffalo National River
Plan a river visit with maps, access information, and current notices from the National Park Service.
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Connect with Local Businesses
Browse local business profiles and contact the people serving Arkansas communities.
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Arkansas Government Services
Find state agencies, online services, and public information through Arkansas.gov.
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Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
County Judge
Phone: (870) 256-3741
County office directory and contact details
County Treasurer
Phone: (870) 256-4786
County office directory and contact details
County Collector
Phone: (870) 256-4137
County office directory and contact details
County Assessor
Phone: (870) 256-4692
County office directory and contact details
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Des Arc Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 2100 HICKORY STREET, DES ARC, AR 72040. 870-256-4128.
Hazen Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 200 EAST CLEVELAND, HAZEN, AR 72064. 870-255-4547.
Des Arc High School – High; grades 07-12. 600 MAIN STREET, DES ARC, AR 72040. 870-256-4166.
Hazen High School – High; grades 07-12. 100 EAST CLEVELAND, HAZEN, AR 72064. 870-255-4546.
Hospitals and Health Services
The Arkansas Department of Health provides statewide public-health information, programs, licensing resources, and health guidance. For hospital or facility-specific questions, confirm current services directly with the provider and use official state resources when available.
Public Safety
The Arkansas State Police provides statewide law-enforcement, highway safety, records, criminal investigation, and public-safety services. Local police departments, county sheriffs, and other agencies handle many community-level matters.
Emergency Services
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management supports preparedness, disaster response, recovery, and statewide emergency coordination. Residents should also follow county and local emergency-management agencies for community-specific warnings and instructions.
State Parks
Arkansas State Parks provides information on parks, cabins, campgrounds, trails, lakes, historic sites, events, and outdoor recreation. Check each park’s official page for reservations, fees, closures, and current conditions before traveling.
Trails
Arkansas State Parks and other public-land agencies maintain hiking, biking, paddling, and multiuse trails across the state. Start with Arkansas State Parks trails, then verify current access, weather, water levels, closures, and safety information before heading out.
Utilities
The Arkansas Public Service Commission regulates many public utilities and utility services in the state. Municipal utilities, cooperatives, and local providers may operate under different structures, so confirm service directly for the exact address and community.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Prairie County Library – 201 Us Hwy 70 East, Hazen, AR 72064. 870-255-3570.
Des Arc Public Library – 408 Curran Street, Des Arc, AR 72040. 870-256-1456.
Devalls Bluff Public Library – 173 Market Street, Devalls Bluff, AR 72041. 870-998-1315.
Courts
The Arkansas Judiciary provides court information, forms, opinions, rules, directories, case-related resources, and links to courts across the state. Verify the correct court and jurisdiction before filing documents or relying on deadlines.
DMV
Arkansas — Vehicle tag renewal
Arkansas — Revenue office locations
Transportation
The Arkansas Department of Transportation provides highway, construction, safety, travel, and road information. Use official ARDOT resources for projects, closures, traffic conditions, maps, and transportation updates before longer trips across the state.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Prairie County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Prairie County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
7,923 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
675.566 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Des Arc and DeValls Bluff are both county seats. Determine the appropriate district and department before visiting a courthouse. Prairie County office directory.
The museum in Des Arc explains the White River’s role in transportation and work, including steamboats, timber, fishing, pearling and button making. Lower White River Museum State Park.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Prairie County was established in 1846 and named for the Grand Prairie region. Its two seats, Des Arc and DeValls Bluff, reflect a county with more than one civic center. Along the White River, steamboats and river commerce helped connect communities to markets and travelers. The Lower White River Museum interprets that economy through subjects including timber, fishing, pearling and button making, showing how the river supported a wider range of work than transportation alone.
Des Arc makes a useful starting point for a museum-focused visit, with the Lower White River Museum offering context for the landscape outside. DeValls Bluff provides another community and courthouse setting farther along the county's river geography. The surrounding farmland introduces the Grand Prairie's agricultural identity. If your visit includes county services, confirm the correct district before traveling; the two seats are separate destinations rather than interchangeable names for the same courthouse.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 647.520 square miles of land and 28.046 square miles of water in Prairie County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Prairie County had an estimated 8,247 residents on July 1, 2020, and 7,923 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population decreased by 324 residents, or about 3.9%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Directory
Find Businesses and Community ContactsBrowse the local listings below. Contact organizations directly for current hours and availability.
Community Contacts
- United States Postal Svc ● 506 W Sportsman Dr ● Biscoe ● (870) 319-2345
- De Valls Blf Pubc Library ● 173 Market St ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-7010
- De Valls Blf Volunteer Fire ● 7688 Highway 70 E ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-2301
- De Valls Bluff City Hall ● 977 E Cypress ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-2577
- De Valls Bluff City Office ● 977 E Cypress ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-2301
- Devalls Bluff Housing Auth ● 809 E Walnut St ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-2812
- Human Services Dept ● 633 E Market St ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-2581
- Peppers Lake Volunteer Fire ● 7416 Highway 302 E ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-7890
- Prairie County Office ● 183 W Prairie St ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-1304
- United States Postal Svc ● 1 Newt Park Dr ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-2665
- City Of Des Arc ● 107 S 3rd St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4316
- County Jail ● 200 Court House Sq # 101 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4137
- County Judge ● 605 Highway 38 # 1 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-3741
- County Sheriff ● 200 Court House Sq # 101 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4137
- County Treasurer ● 200 Court House Sq # 103 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4786
- Des Arc Police Dept ● 107 S 3rd St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-3011
- Des Arc Prairie County Offices ● 605 Highway 38 # 1 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-3741
- Des Arc Pubc Library Prairie ● 504 Main St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-1456
- Des Arc Water Dept ● 107 S 3rd St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4316
- Emergency Services ● 605 Highway 38 # 3 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4851
- Oak Prairie Volunteer Fire Dpt ● 100 Letchworth Rd ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-3369
- Prairie County Assessors Ofc ● 200 Court House Sq # 102 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-1311
- Prairie County Circuit Clerk ● 200 Court House Sq # 104 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4434
- Prairie County Health Dept ● 204 Main St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4430
- Prairie County Juvenile Court ● 214 Main St # 101 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4990
- Prairie County Prosecutor ● 200 Court House Sq # 205 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-3171
- Prairie County Tax Collector ● 200 Court House Sq # 101 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4764
- Tax Assessor's Office ● 200 Court House Sq # 102 ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4692
- United States Postal Svc ● 109 S 4th St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4519
- Hazen City ● 111 N Hazen Ave ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4521
- Hazen Fire Dept ● 111 North Hazen Avenue ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4521
- Hazen Gas & Sewer Dept ● 111 N Hazen Ave ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4521
- Hazen Mayor's Office ● 111 N Hazen Ave ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4522
- Hazen Police Dept ● 96 W Front St ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4513
- Hazen Public Library Prairie ● 201 Highway 70 E ● Hazen ● (870) 255-3570
- Highway Department ● 106 S Orlicek ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4876
- Prairie County Historical Ctr ● PO Box 524 ● Hazen ● Not Available
- Tollville Fire Dept ● W Front St ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4513
- United States Postal Svc ● 109 N Chester St ● Hazen ● (870) 319-3998
- US Dept Agriculture ● 1600 Industrial St ● Hazen ● (870) 255-3573
- Water Plant Office ● 111 N Hazen Ave ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4523
- United States Postal Svc ● 9992 Highway 38 W ● Hickory Plains ● (870) 854-4565
- Arkansas Forestry Commission ● 1302 Airport Rd ● Stuttgart ● (870) 673-2851
- Army National Guard ● 1214 Military Rd ● Stuttgart ● (870) 673-3381
- City Hall ● 187 S Main St ● Ulm ● (870) 241-3791
- Ulm Volunteer Fire Dept ● 205 Main St ● Ulm ● (870) 241-3791
- United States Postal Svc ● 127 W 2nd St ● Ulm ● (870) 241-3251
Restaurants
- Craig Bros Cafe ● 15 Walnut St ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-2616
- Railroad Takeout ● 216 N Main St ● De Valls Bluff ● Not Available
- White River Dairy Bar ● 7759 Twin City Park Rd ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 998-7047
- Dondie's White River Princess ● 203 Curran St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-3311
- Kountry Kitchen ● 215 Main St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4695
- Pizza Pro ● 1301 Main St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4847
- Sno-White Dairy Bar ● 405 Main St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-3306
- Subway ● 1301 Main St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4847
- Tortugas Mexican Grill ● 402 Highway 11 N ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-1266
- Chester's ● 282 Hwy 11 North ● Hazen ● (870) 255-3414
- Chester's ● 3404 Highway 63 N ● Hazen ● (870) 255-1395
- Chester's ● 707 Highway 70 W ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4815
- El Amigo ● 1304 E Mammoth St ● Hazen ● (870) 255-2626
- Godfather's Pizza Express ● 3404 Highway 63 N ● Hazen ● (870) 255-2233
- Hornet Dairy Bar ● 405 Highway 70 W ● Hazen ● (870) 255-2235
- Hurley House Cafe ● 200 S Maple St ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4679
- Love's Travel Stop ● 3404 Highway 63 N ● Hazen ● (870) 255-1395
- Subway ● 3404 Highway 63 N ● Hazen ● (870) 255-1395
Shopping & Retail
- Bobby Derden Heat & Air ● 6077 Highway 86 E ● De Valls Bluff ● (870) 255-4510
- Dollar General ● 306 S Main St ● De Valls Bluff ● (501) 424-0945
- Dollar General ● 1006 Main St ● Des Arc ● (501) 476-7585
- Family Dollar Dollar Tree ● 1602 Main St ● Des Arc ● (870) 724-4588
- Greenway Equipment Inc ● 1806 Main St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4121
- Kristi's Kitchen-White-Son ● 409 Main St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4450
- Riverbend Air Conditioning ● 2009 Highway 38 W ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-1247
- Chillers Liquor Store ● 1507 Highway 70 E ● Hazen ● (870) 255-3651
- Dollar General ● 749 Highway 63 N ● Hazen ● (501) 415-2370
- Family Dollar Dollar Tree ● 206 Hwy 63 North ● Hazen ● (870) 251-8112
- Hart's Liquor Store ● 123 Highway 70 W ● Hazen ● (870) 255-3374
- Smoker Friendly ● 28 S Hazen Ave ● Hazen ● (870) 255-3550
Schools
- Des Arc Elementary School ● 2100 Hickory St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4128
- Des Arc High School ● 600 Main St ● Des Arc ● (870) 256-4166
- Hazen Elementary School ● 200 E Cleveland St ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4547
- Hazen High School ● 100 E Cleveland St ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4546
- Hazen School District ● 100 E Cleveland St ● Hazen ● (870) 255-4546
A New Stop, a Local ConnectionExplore the Listings Below