1st Advantage MortgageArkansas County households have a median income of $53,164 and median rent of $843 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Arkansas County
- Jobs and commutes in Arkansas County
- Household income in Arkansas County
- Arkansas County housing compared with Arkansas
- How Arkansas County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Arkansas County
- Debt-to-income at Arkansas County's medians
- Arkansas County households compared
- Local borrowing considerations for Arkansas County
- A Arkansas County borrower's checklist
- Arkansas rules that apply in Arkansas County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Arkansas County
Arkansas County is home to about 16,515 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 46th most populous of 75 county-level areas in Arkansas. It covers 992 square miles of land, or about 17 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Arkansas County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Stuttgart is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 7,903 people (48% of the county total).
Jobs and commutes in Arkansas County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Arkansas County residents work in manufacturing and 20% in education and health care. Manufacturing stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 8.1% in Arkansas County. 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 3% work from home. 8.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Arkansas County | Compared with Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 20.0% | +7.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.6% | -4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -2.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.8% | +1.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.3% | +6.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.1% | -1.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Household income in Arkansas County
At $53,164, the typical Arkansas County household income is 19% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 34th of 75.
| Income band | Share in Arkansas County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.7% | +5.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | -0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.5% | -1.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.0% | -3.7 pts |
Some 35% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 22% have six-figure incomes. 19.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.0%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.451 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $53,164 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Arkansas County housing compared with Arkansas
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $843 in Arkansas County versus $947 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 47% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $138,100, about 2.6 times the median household income. 65% of Arkansas County households own their home and 35% rent.
| Cost | Arkansas County | Arkansas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $843/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $138,100 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.3% | 11.0% | n/a |
How Arkansas County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Arkansas County's, from 29 to 39 miles away. Lincoln County leads the group on income ($51,778), Desha County trails ($37,662), and Arkansas County out-earns 6 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas County | - | $53,164 | $843/mo | 65% |
| Monroe County, AR | 29 mi | $43,214 | $614/mo | 63% |
| Lincoln County, AR | 31 mi | $51,778 | $744/mo | 76% |
| Phillips County, AR | 31 mi | $40,134 | $737/mo | 51% |
| Jefferson County, AR | 32 mi | $51,096 | $888/mo | 62% |
| Desha County, AR | 33 mi | $37,662 | $718/mo | 57% |
| Prairie County, AR | 39 mi | $51,646 | $625/mo | 76% |
The communities that make up Arkansas County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Arkansas County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 11,610 people, so roughly 30% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Arkansas County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuttgart | city | 7,903 | $49,399 | $872 | 17 mi |
| DeWitt | city | 2,933 | $47,798 | $853 | 2 mi |
| Gillett | city | 378 | $67,321 | n/a | 12 mi |
| St. Charles | town | 250 | $73,750 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Almyra | town | 146 | $75,875 | n/a | 8 mi |
Debt-to-income at Arkansas County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Arkansas County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $4,430 a month: gross income for a household at the Arkansas County median
- 19% goes to median rent ($843)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $929 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $843, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Arkansas County households compared
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. 9.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Arkansas County | Arkansas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.4 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.6% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.5% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.7% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.7% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.8% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.0% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.1% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Arkansas County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 59.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.5% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Arkansas County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Arkansas County borrowers.
- 13% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Free help first. 19% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Tight rental budgets. With 47% of Arkansas County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
A Arkansas County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Arkansas borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Arkansas rules that apply in Arkansas County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Arkansas County borrowers answers to the Arkansas State Bank Department. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Arkansas guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Arkansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Arkansas County household make?
About $53,164 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 13% below the Arkansas median.
How does Arkansas County rent compare with Arkansas?
$843 locally versus $947 for the state, 11% below.
Which towns does the Arkansas County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Stuttgart, DeWitt, Gillett, St. Charles, Almyra.
Will a Arkansas County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Arkansas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Arkansas County check a lender's license?
With the Arkansas State Bank Department. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.