Clarendon is a city in and county seat of Monroe County, Arkansas. Located in the Arkansas Delta, the city’s position on the White River at the mouth of the Cache River has defined the community since first incorporating in 1859. Although the river has brought devastation and disaster to the city infrequently throughout history, it has also provided economic opportunities, transportation, recreation and tourism to the city.

Once home to a variety of industries, today Clarendon’s economy is largely based on agriculture. Similar to many Delta communities, the city’s population has been dwindling since mechanization on the farm reduced the number of agricultural-related jobs in the area. At the 2010 Census, the population was 1,664, the lowest value recorded since 1890.