1st Advantage Mortgage29% of Craighead County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $59,548 (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Craighead County, and confirm each one's Arkansas license.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Craighead County
- Craighead County housing compared with Arkansas
- Paychecks and income spread in Craighead County
- How Craighead County ranks in Arkansas
- Craighead County industries and commutes
- Census places in Craighead County
- Regional comparison for Craighead County
- Age, degrees and coverage in Craighead County
- What the numbers mean for Craighead County borrowers
- Room for a loan payment in Craighead County
- Before you sign
- Arkansas lender licensing
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Craighead County
Craighead County is home to about 113,249 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 7th most populous of 75 county-level areas in Arkansas. It covers 707 square miles of land, or about 160 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Jonesboro, AR metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Largest place: Jonesboro, about 80,137 residents (71% of Craighead County); 11 Census places in all.
Craighead County housing compared with Arkansas
$958 a month is the median gross rent in Craighead County. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 51% in Craighead County, 45% statewide. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $210,400, about 3.5 times the median household income. 60% of Craighead County households own their home and 40% rent. The median year built is 1992. Nationally, Craighead County's $958 rent is 9% above the middle county.
| Craighead County | Arkansas | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 4.5% | 11.0% | -6.5 pts |
| Owners | 60% | 66% | -6.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 45% | +6.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | -3.7 pts |
| Median home value | $210,400 | $188,000 | 12% higher |
| Median gross rent | $958/mo | $947/mo | level |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Paychecks and income spread in Craighead County
Craighead County households have a median income of $59,548 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 10th of 75 in Arkansas.
| Income band | Share in Craighead County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.8% | -0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | -0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | +0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | +0.3 pts |
29% under $35,000 and 29% at $100,000 or more: that is the Craighead County income split. 20.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.0%). Gini index for Craighead County: 0.491. None of these numbers decides a Craighead County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Craighead County ranks in Arkansas
- Few Arkansas counties match Craighead County on the share of mobile homes: 4.5% here, 11.0% for the state, ranking 3rd lowest of 75. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
- Craighead County ranks 4th lowest of 75 Arkansas counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 7%, against 11% statewide. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
- On median age, Craighead County sits near the bottom of Arkansas at 34.5, 5th lowest of 75. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
Craighead County industries and commutes
Education and health care (30%), retail trade (12%) and manufacturing (12%) lead Craighead County's job mix. Compared with Arkansas, the county leans toward education and health care (30% against 24%). 5.6% of Craighead County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Long commutes are the exception here: 7% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. No car: 6.4% of Craighead County households.
| Industry | Share of Craighead County workers | vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.7% | +5.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.3% | -1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.6% | -1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.6% | +0.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.2% | -0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.6% | -1.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Craighead County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Census places in Craighead County
94,917 of Craighead County's 113,249 residents live in its 11 Census places (84%); the 11 largest are listed. Incomes vary by place: $60,273 at the median in Lake City, $38,558 in Caraway. Median rent ranges from $583 in Monette to $1,028 in Bay. From Jonesboro to the smallest crossroads, Craighead County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | city | 80,137 | $55,424 | $956 | 3 mi |
| Brookland | city | 4,377 | $57,308 | $1,008 | 6 mi |
| Bono | city | 2,657 | $56,098 | $917 | 11 mi |
| Lake City | city | 2,531 | $60,273 | $854 | 10 mi |
| Bay | city | 2,333 | $59,769 | $1,028 | 7 mi |
| Monette | city | 1,251 | $54,167 | $583 | 17 mi |
| Caraway | city | 1,087 | $38,558 | $603 | 18 mi |
| Cash | town | 278 | $49,500 | $830 | 17 mi |
| Black Oak | town | 179 | $54,643 | $850 | 15 mi |
| Egypt | town | 57 | $28,750 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Bowman | CDP | 30 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
Regional comparison for Craighead County
Poinsett County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Cross County, is 38 miles off. Greene County leads the group on income ($57,839), Jackson County trails ($44,218), and Craighead County out-earns 6 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craighead County | - | $59,548 | $958/mo | 60% |
| Poinsett County, AR | 18 mi | $46,707 | $619/mo | 64% |
| Greene County, AR | 21 mi | $57,839 | $904/mo | 66% |
| Lawrence County, AR | 30 mi | $44,882 | $697/mo | 67% |
| Mississippi County, AR | 33 mi | $52,548 | $830/mo | 60% |
| Jackson County, AR | 37 mi | $44,218 | $668/mo | 65% |
| Cross County, AR | 38 mi | $50,863 | $764/mo | 68% |
Age, degrees and coverage in Craighead County
30% of Craighead County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 8.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Craighead County | Gap to Arkansas | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 20.1% | +4.1 pts | +6.9 pts |
| Median age | 34.5 | -4.0 yrs | -7.0 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.7% | +4.0 pts | +7.5 pts |
| Work from home | 6.8% | -2.0 pts | -1.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.8% | -1.5 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | -0.8 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.6% | +0.6 pts | +1.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | +0.6 pts | +1.0 pts |
| Commute length | Craighead County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.9% |
What the numbers mean for Craighead County borrowers
Based on the Craighead County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Assistance before credit. With a 20% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Craighead County loan.
- Renters under pressure. When 51% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Room for a loan payment in Craighead County
Craighead County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Craighead County: $4,962
- Less median rent of $958, which is 19% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $828 left for all other debt payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,176 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Craighead County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Craighead County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Arkansas.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Arkansas lender licensing
Craighead County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Arkansas State Bank Department. Nationally, Craighead County residents can file with the CFPB.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Arkansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Craighead County?
$59,548 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $60,773 for Arkansas. It ranks 10th of 75 in the state.
What do renters pay in Craighead County?
$958 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
I live in a small Craighead County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Jonesboro, Brookland, Bono, Lake City, Bay and 6 more.
Is the fit check different in Craighead County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Craighead County?
Look it up with the Arkansas State Bank Department, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.