1st Advantage MortgageAshley County households have a median income of $44,266 and median rent of $703 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Who lives in Ashley County
- Ashley County housing compared with Arkansas
- How much Ashley County households make
- Employment and commuting in Ashley County
- Towns and communities in Ashley County
- How Ashley County compares with nearby counties
- Debt-to-income at Ashley County's medians
- Who lives in Ashley County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Ashley County
- Arkansas rules that apply in Ashley County
- Before you sign
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Ashley County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Ashley County's population at 18,429; only 36 of Arkansas's 75 county-level areas are larger. It covers 925 square miles of land, or about 20 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (7 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Crossett, with about 4,639 residents, or 25% of the county.
Ashley County housing compared with Arkansas
Renters in Ashley County pay a median of $703 a month, 26% below the Arkansas figure of $947. By the Census definition, 49% of Ashley County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $91,900, a typical Ashley County house costs 2.1 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 71% of homes. Median construction year: 1977.
| Housing | Ashley County | Arkansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $703/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $91,900 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 20.7% | 11.0% | n/a |
How much Ashley County households make
Half of Ashley County households take in less than $44,266 a year and half take in more, 27% below the Arkansas median of $60,773.
| Income band | Share in Ashley County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 42.1% | +13.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | -0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 13.9% | -7.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.3% | -5.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 15% of Ashley County households make $100,000 or more, and 42% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 22.1%, 6 points higher than the state's 16.0%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Ashley County median.
Employment and commuting in Ashley County
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 15%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 7% locally and 2% for Arkansas. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.5% in Ashley County. About 85% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 8.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Ashley County share | +/- vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.9% | +1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.3% | +2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -2.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.0% | +2.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | +0.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.1% | +4.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Towns and communities in Ashley County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Ashley County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 12,664 people, so roughly 31% of residents live outside any named place. West Crossett has the highest median household income on the list ($55,378) and North Crossett the lowest ($32,917), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Hamburg ($643) and steepest in West Crossett ($1,065). No Ashley County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossett | city | 4,639 | $44,672 | $707 | 12 mi |
| Hamburg | city | 2,886 | $34,234 | $643 | 3 mi |
| North Crossett | CDP | 2,556 | $32,917 | $762 | 9 mi |
| West Crossett | CDP | 1,413 | $55,378 | $1,065 | 14 mi |
| Portland | city | 444 | $46,346 | $625 | 15 mi |
| Wilmot | city | 408 | $26,328 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Montrose | city | 170 | $43,438 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Fountain Hill | town | 81 | $26,667 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Parkdale | city | 67 | $29,167 | n/a | 14 mi |
How Ashley County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Morehouse Parish at 26 miles out to Union Parish at 43. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Ashley County; West Carroll Parish is highest at $49,134 and Chicot County lowest at $39,045. Some neighbors are in Louisiana. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Ashley County resident follows Arkansas rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley County | - | $44,266 | $703/mo | 71% |
| Morehouse Parish, LA | 26 mi | $39,454 | $839/mo | 69% |
| Drew County, AR | 28 mi | $42,824 | $725/mo | 64% |
| Chicot County, AR | 28 mi | $39,045 | $574/mo | 69% |
| Bradley County, AR | 30 mi | $41,476 | $689/mo | 66% |
| West Carroll Parish, LA | 33 mi | $49,134 | $740/mo | 76% |
| Union Parish, LA | 43 mi | $42,885 | $778/mo | 78% |
Debt-to-income at Ashley County's medians
How much room does a median Ashley County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,689 before taxes
- Less median rent of $703, which is 19% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $625 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Ashley County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Ashley County, in numbers
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. 9.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Ashley County | Arkansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.8 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.8% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.3% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.9% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.3% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 22.1% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.5% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.2% |
| 60+ min | 11.8% |
Before borrowing in Ashley County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Ashley County borrowers.
- Manufactured homes. 21% of Ashley County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 22% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Renters under pressure. When 49% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Arkansas rules that apply in Ashley County
The Arkansas State Bank Department is the place to verify any lender's Arkansas license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Arkansas guide.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Ashley County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Arkansas borrowers.
- Ask a Ashley County credit union about member loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Arkansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashley County a high-income county?
Its $44,266 median ranks 61st of 75 Arkansas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Ashley County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $703 a month; 49% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Ashley County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 71% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Ashley County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Crossett, Hamburg, North Crossett, West Crossett, Portland and 4 more.
Does living in Ashley County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Ashley County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.