1st Advantage MortgageIn Independence County, Arkansas, the typical household earns $56,609 a year and the typical rent is $845. 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
- Getting oriented in Independence County
- How much Independence County households make
- How Independence County residents earn a living
- Independence County housing compared with Arkansas
- Independence County next to its neighbors
- Independence County towns compared
- Budget math at the Independence County median
- More Independence County figures
- Reading the Independence County data as a borrower
- Steps before you apply in Independence County
- Lender oversight for Independence County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Independence County
Roughly 38,175 residents live in Independence County, Arkansas, 19th by population among the state's 75 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 764 square miles, that works out to roughly 50.0 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Independence County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 14 places in the county (10 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Batesville, with about 11,445 residents, or 30% of the county.
How much Independence County households make
Independence County households have a median income of $56,609 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 17th of 75 in Arkansas.
| Income band | Share in Independence County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.8% | +1.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +1.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.3% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -1.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 24% of Independence County households make $100,000 or more, and 31% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 20.4%, 4 points higher than the state's 16.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.485 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Independence 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.
How Independence County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. Compared with Arkansas, the county leans toward manufacturing (17% against 13%). The survey's unemployment rate for Independence County averages 3.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Only 6.5% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Independence County share | +/- vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.9% | +1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.5% | +4.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | -1.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | -0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.0% | +0.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Independence County housing compared with Arkansas
A typical Independence County rental runs $845 a month including utilities, which is 11% below Arkansas. By the Census definition, 43% of Independence County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $142,600, about 2.5 times the median household income. 69% of Independence County households own their home and 31% rent. Median construction year: 1988.
| Measure | Independence County | Arkansas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $845/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $142,600 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | n/a |
Independence County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 34 miles). Income ranges from $40,943 in Stone County to $55,798 in Cleburne County; none of these neighbors top Independence County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence County | - | $56,609 | $845/mo | 69% |
| Jackson County, AR | 21 mi | $44,218 | $668/mo | 65% |
| Cleburne County, AR | 27 mi | $55,798 | $859/mo | 81% |
| Sharp County, AR | 31 mi | $44,637 | $766/mo | 79% |
| Izard County, AR | 32 mi | $49,405 | $621/mo | 75% |
| Lawrence County, AR | 33 mi | $44,882 | $697/mo | 67% |
| Stone County, AR | 34 mi | $40,943 | $626/mo | 76% |
Independence County towns compared
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 14 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 61% of Independence County residents live in one of the 14. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $39,355 in Salado to $96,429 in Sulphur Rock. Median rent ranges from $632 in Desha to $882 in Batesville. Live in one of these Independence County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batesville | city | 11,445 | $51,856 | $882 | 4 mi |
| Southside | city | 4,246 | $65,655 | $843 | 4 mi |
| Cave City | city | 2,090 | $49,800 | $716 | 15 mi |
| Newark | city | 1,637 | $40,417 | $662 | 7 mi |
| Sulphur Rock | town | 1,014 | $96,429 | $794 | 3 mi |
| Desha | CDP | 679 | $68,403 | $632 | 7 mi |
| Salado | CDP | 507 | $39,355 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Cushman | city | 488 | $43,500 | $463 | 15 mi |
| Pleasant Plains | town | 376 | $59,531 | $1,000 | 13 mi |
| Oil Trough | town | 259 | $40,083 | $475 | 9 mi |
| Magness | town | 238 | $42,500 | $1,111 | 5 mi |
| Floral | CDP | 194 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| Moorefield | town | 120 | $68,750 | $1,109 | 2 mi |
| Bethesda | CDP | 79 | $77,946 | n/a | 13 mi |
Budget math at the Independence County median
Independence County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Independence County: $4,717
- Housing at the median rent of $845 uses 18%
- $1,042: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
More Independence County figures
18% of Independence County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 10.0%, against 9.0% for Arkansas.
| Indicator | Independence County | All of Arkansas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.7 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.1% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.8% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.0% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.5% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.4% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.8% |
| 60+ min | 5.1% |
Reading the Independence County data as a borrower
What the Independence County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Mobile home upkeep. 22% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Assistance before credit. With a 20% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Independence County loan.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Steps before you apply in Independence County
Steps that save money for Independence County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Arkansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Lender oversight for Independence County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Independence County resident can confirm its license with the Arkansas State Bank Department. 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.
Related local guides
The Arkansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Independence County earn?
The median is $56,609; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Independence County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $845 against $947 statewide, and 43% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Independence County?
By population: Batesville, Southside, Cave City, Newark, Sulphur Rock. The county has 14 Census places in all.
Does living in Independence 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 Independence County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Independence County?
Start with the Arkansas State Bank Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.