1st Advantage MortgageCleveland County households have a median income of $54,794 and median rent of $536 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Arkansas before sharing details.
On this page
- Cleveland County at a glance
- How much Cleveland County households make
- Housing costs in Cleveland County
- Employment and commuting in Cleveland County
- Counties near Cleveland County
- Places inside Cleveland County
- Cleveland County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Cleveland County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Cleveland County median
- Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
- Four steps for Cleveland County borrowers
- More guides for Cleveland County
- Frequently asked questions
Cleveland County at a glance
With an estimated 7,453 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Cleveland County ranks 69th of 75 in Arkansas for population. It covers 598 square miles of land, or about 12 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Cleveland County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (2 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Rison, with about 1,019 residents, or 14% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Cleveland County figure on this page as a rough guide.
How much Cleveland County households make
The median household income in Cleveland County is $54,794; statewide it is $60,773, so Cleveland County runs 10% below Arkansas as a whole. In the state ranking that is 28th of 75.
| Income band | Share in Cleveland County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.5% | +6.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.5% | -4.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.2% | -0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -1.9 pts |
Some 36% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 26% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 15.8% of Cleveland County residents in poverty, against 16.0% across Arkansas. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.483 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Cleveland County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Cleveland County
Renters in Cleveland County pay a median of $536 a month, 43% below the Arkansas figure of $947. By the Census definition, 61% of Cleveland County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $137,600, about 2.5 times the median household income. 83% of Cleveland County households own their home and 17% rent. Median construction year: 1987.
| Housing | Cleveland County | Arkansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $536/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $137,600 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 61% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 14% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Employment and commuting in Cleveland County
Education and health care employs 29% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 14%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 7% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Cleveland County | Gap to Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.5% | +4.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.3% | +1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.9% | +2.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.1% | +0.8 pts |
| Other services | 7.4% | +2.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.4% | +5.1 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Counties near Cleveland County
Lincoln County is closest, 26 miles from center to center; the sixth, Jefferson County, is 30 miles off. Grant County leads the group on income ($71,549), Bradley County trails ($41,476), and Cleveland County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland County | - | $54,794 | $536/mo | 83% |
| Lincoln County, AR | 26 mi | $51,778 | $744/mo | 76% |
| Dallas County, AR | 27 mi | $42,500 | $627/mo | 73% |
| Bradley County, AR | 30 mi | $41,476 | $689/mo | 66% |
| Calhoun County, AR | 30 mi | $66,809 | $769/mo | 88% |
| Grant County, AR | 30 mi | $71,549 | $788/mo | 81% |
| Jefferson County, AR | 30 mi | $51,096 | $888/mo | 62% |
Places inside Cleveland County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Cleveland County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 2,182 people, so roughly 71% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Cleveland County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rison | city | 1,019 | $35,855 | $505 | 5 mi |
| Kingsland | city | 406 | $27,500 | $850 | 7 mi |
| Rye | CDP | 223 | $72,875 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Woodlawn | CDP | 197 | $68,313 | n/a | 10 mi |
| New Edinburg | CDP | 182 | $73,947 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Staves | CDP | 155 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Cleveland County residents: age, schooling, coverage
20% of Cleveland County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 4% go without health insurance.
| Cleveland County | Arkansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.1 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.7% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.4% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.0% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.8% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.2% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 16.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.5% |
| 60+ min | 5.6% |
Reading the Cleveland County data as a borrower
Based on the Cleveland County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Long drives. With 18% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Cleveland County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 29% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Tight rental budgets. With 61% of Cleveland County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Budget math at the Cleveland County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Cleveland County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $4,566 gross per month ($54,794 / 12)
- Less median rent of $536, which is 12% of it
- Under a 43% cap, $1,963 total minus rent leaves $1,427
If your rent is above $536, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
The Arkansas State Bank Department is the place to verify any lender's Arkansas license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Arkansas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Cleveland County borrowers
Quick steps for Cleveland County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Arkansas borrowers.
- Ask a Cleveland County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Cleveland County
The Arkansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cleveland County a high-income county?
Its $54,794 median ranks 28th of 75 Arkansas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Cleveland County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $536 a month; 61% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Cleveland County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 83% of Cleveland County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Cleveland County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Rison, Kingsland, Rye, Woodlawn, New Edinburg and 1 more.
Can Cleveland County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Arkansas county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.