1st Advantage MortgageThe median Jackson County household earns $44,218, and 22% of residents live below the poverty line. 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 Jackson County
- Income in Jackson County compared with Arkansas
- Rent, home values and ownership in Jackson County
- Work, industries and travel time in Jackson County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Jackson County
- Jackson County and the counties next door
- Room for a loan payment in Jackson County
- Who lives in Jackson County, in numbers
- Reading the Jackson County data as a borrower
- Licensing and complaints for Jackson County
- Before you sign
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Jackson County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Jackson County's population at 16,712; only 43 of Arkansas's 75 county-level areas are larger. It covers 634 square miles of land, or about 26 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Jackson County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 11 Census places inside Jackson County, Newport leads by population with about 8,024; 11 of the 11 are incorporated.
Income in Jackson County compared with Arkansas
The median household income in Jackson County is $44,218; statewide it is $60,773, so Jackson County runs 27% below Arkansas as a whole.
| Household income | Jackson County | vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 41.6% | +12.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.6% | -1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 12.1% | -9.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -1.9 pts |
About 42% of households earn under $35,000, while 17% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 21.7%, 6 points higher than the state's 16.0%. None of these numbers decides a Jackson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Jackson County
Renters in Jackson County pay a median of $668 a month, 29% below the Arkansas figure of $947. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 47% of renter households here. Home values center on $98,300, or 2.2 years of median income. Owners occupy 65% of homes.
| Housing | Jackson County | Arkansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $668/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $98,300 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.0% | 11.0% | n/a |
Work, industries and travel time in Jackson County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Jackson County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. Compared with Arkansas, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (9% against 2%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 9.8% in Jackson County. About 84% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 8.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Jackson County | Gap to Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.5% | -2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.5% | +4.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | -0.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.4% | +3.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.8% | +6.5 pts |
| Public administration | 7.0% | +2.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Jackson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Jackson County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Jackson County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 13,058 residents, leaving about 22% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $34,764 in Newport to $58,000 in Swifton. Median rent ranges from $573 in Swifton to $869 in Diaz. This guide covers each of the 11 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport | city | 8,024 | $34,764 | $597 | 2 mi |
| Tuckerman | city | 1,442 | $45,484 | $759 | 9 mi |
| Diaz | city | 1,337 | $49,120 | $869 | 4 mi |
| Swifton | city | 1,101 | $58,000 | $573 | 17 mi |
| Grubbs | city | 431 | $78,750 | $1,258 | 9 mi |
| Campbell Station | city | 311 | $61,875 | $817 | 5 mi |
| Weldon | town | 136 | $54,583 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Jacksonport | town | 115 | $40,104 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Tupelo | town | 86 | $153,750 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Beedeville | town | 44 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Amagon | town | 31 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
Jackson County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 37 miles). All of the six report a higher median household income than Jackson County; Craighead County is highest at $59,548 and Lawrence County lowest at $44,882.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $44,218 | $668/mo | 65% |
| Independence County, AR | 21 mi | $56,609 | $845/mo | 69% |
| Woodruff County, AR | 28 mi | $48,158 | $613/mo | 65% |
| Poinsett County, AR | 31 mi | $46,707 | $619/mo | 64% |
| Lawrence County, AR | 31 mi | $44,882 | $697/mo | 67% |
| Cross County, AR | 34 mi | $50,863 | $764/mo | 68% |
| Craighead County, AR | 37 mi | $59,548 | $958/mo | 60% |
Room for a loan payment in Jackson County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Jackson County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,685 before taxes
- Median rent: $668, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 43% cap, $1,584 total minus rent leaves $916
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Jackson County's.
Who lives in Jackson County, in numbers
Degree holders: 15% of adults over 25. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Jackson County | Arkansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.2 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.7% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.1% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.7% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.5% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.7% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.8% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Jackson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
Reading the Jackson County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Jackson County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Assistance before credit. With a 22% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Jackson County loan.
- Renters under pressure. When 47% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Licensing and complaints for Jackson County
The Arkansas State Bank Department is the place to verify any lender's Arkansas license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Arkansas guide.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Jackson County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Arkansas borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Arkansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jackson County a high-income county?
Its $44,218 median ranks 62nd of 75 Arkansas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Jackson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $668 against $947 statewide, and 47% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Jackson County?
By population: Newport, Tuckerman, Diaz, Swifton, Grubbs. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Does living in Jackson 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 Jackson County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Jackson County?
Start with the Arkansas State Bank Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.