Major highways

• Future Interstate 49
• U.S. Highway 59
• U.S. Highway 71
• Highway 32
• Highway 41
• Highway 108

Adjacent counties

• Sevier County (north)
• Howard County (northeast)
• Hempstead County (east)
• Miller County (southeast)
• Bowie County, Texas (south)
• McCurtain County, Oklahoma (west)

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,026 people, 5,363 households, and 3,523 families residing in the county.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,^[16] there were 13,628 people, 5,465 households, and 3,912 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10 people/km²). There were 6,435 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (4.6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 74.52% White, 21.27% Black or African American, 1.45% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. 1.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,465 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,417, and the median income for a family was $36,207. Males had a median income of $32,489 versus $18,435 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,899. About 11.90% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.80% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

• Ashdown (county seat)
• Foreman
• Winthrop

Towns

• Ogden
• Wilton

Census-designated places

• Alleene
• Yarborough Landing

Other unincorporated places

• Comet
• Richmond
• Rocky Comfort
• Cerro Gordo

Townships

Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions"). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications. The townships of Little River County are listed below; listed in parentheses are the cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. ^[18][19]