1st Advantage MortgageIn Cross County, Arkansas, the typical household earns $50,863 a year and the typical rent is $764. 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
- Who lives in Cross County
- Income in Cross County compared with Arkansas
- Rent, home values and ownership in Cross County
- Jobs and commutes in Cross County
- The counties around Cross County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Cross County
- A Cross County household budget, worked through
- Reading the Cross County data as a borrower
- People and households in Cross County
- Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
- Four steps for Cross County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Cross County
With an estimated 16,543 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Cross County ranks 45th of 75 in Arkansas for population. Land area is 616 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 27 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (4 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Wynne, with about 8,120 residents, or 49% of the county.
Income in Cross County compared with Arkansas
Cross County households have a median income of $50,863 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 42nd of 75 in Arkansas.
| Band | Cross County | Compared with Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.6% | +7.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.8% | -3.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.5% | -3.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.0% | -0.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 24% of Cross County households make $100,000 or more, and 37% make less than $35,000. 19.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.0%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.480 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Cross County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Cross County
Renters in Cross County pay a median of $764 a month, 19% below the Arkansas figure of $947. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 15% spend half or more. Home values center on $117,500, or 2.3 years of median income. Owners occupy 68% of homes. The median year built is 1981.
| Cost | Cross County | Arkansas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $764/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $117,500 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 14% | n/a |
Jobs and commutes in Cross County
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Cross County residents work in education and health care and 13% in manufacturing. Compared with Arkansas, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (6% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Cross County averages 10.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). About 82% drive to work alone and 22% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Cross County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.2% | +1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.1% | +0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | -0.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.6% | +1.4 pts |
| Public administration | 6.2% | +1.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.2% | +3.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
The counties around Cross County
St. Francis County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Lee County, is 35 miles off. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Cross County; Crittenden County is highest at $55,358 and Lee County lowest at $34,375.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross County | - | $50,863 | $764/mo | 68% |
| St. Francis County, AR | 18 mi | $42,574 | $779/mo | 55% |
| Poinsett County, AR | 20 mi | $46,707 | $619/mo | 64% |
| Crittenden County, AR | 27 mi | $55,358 | $911/mo | 57% |
| Woodruff County, AR | 28 mi | $48,158 | $613/mo | 65% |
| Jackson County, AR | 34 mi | $44,218 | $668/mo | 65% |
| Lee County, AR | 35 mi | $34,375 | $667/mo | 59% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Cross County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Cross County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 9,995 residents, leaving about 40% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $43,250 at the median in Wynne, $23,942 in Parkin. Median rent ranges from $512 in Parkin to $760 in Wynne. Live in one of these Cross County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wynne | city | 8,120 | $43,250 | $760 | 4 mi |
| Parkin | city | 694 | $23,942 | $512 | 12 mi |
| Cherry Valley | city | 543 | $31,563 | $538 | 8 mi |
| Vanndale | CDP | 356 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
| Hickory Ridge | city | 259 | $31,250 | $763 | 15 mi |
| Fair Oaks | CDP | 23 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
A Cross County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Cross 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: $4,239 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $764 uses 18%
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $720 left for all other debt payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,143 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Cross County's.
Reading the Cross County data as a borrower
Based on the Cross County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Long drives. With 22% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Cross County budgets.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 17% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 20% 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.
People and households in Cross County
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. 8.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Cross County | Arkansas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.4% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.0% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.7% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.0% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.5% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.7% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 10.7% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Cross County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.8% |
| 60+ min | 11.8% |
Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
Cross County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Arkansas State Bank Department. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Arkansas state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Cross County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Cross County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Arkansas.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Arkansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Cross County household make?
About $50,863 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 16% below the Arkansas median.
Is Cross County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $764 against $947 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Wynne?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Cross County, such as Parkin, Cherry Valley, Vanndale.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Cross County or elsewhere in Arkansas, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Cross County?
Start with the Arkansas State Bank Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.