1st Advantage MortgageThe median Lee County household earns $34,375, and 39% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Lee County by the numbers
- Housing costs in Lee County
- Paychecks and income spread in Lee County
- How Lee County residents earn a living
- Places inside Lee County
- Lee County and the counties next door
- People and households in Lee County
- Reading the Lee County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Lee County median
- Who licenses lenders for Lee County residents
- Checklist for Lee County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Lee County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Lee County's population at 8,359; only 64 of Arkansas's 75 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 600 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 14 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Lee County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 6 Census places inside Lee County, Marianna leads by population with about 3,417; 6 of the 6 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Lee County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Housing costs in Lee County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $667 in Lee County versus $947 statewide. 73% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 37% spend half or more. With a median value of $75,300, a typical Lee County house costs 2.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 59%. The median home was built in 1973, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Lee County | Arkansas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $667/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $75,300 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 59% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 73% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 27% | 14% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Paychecks and income spread in Lee County
Half of Lee County households take in less than $34,375 a year and half take in more, 43% below the Arkansas median of $60,773. That places it 75th among Arkansas's 75 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Lee County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 50.9% | +21.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.2% | -9.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 11.6% | -9.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -2.4 pts |
About 51% of households earn under $35,000, while 16% clear $100,000. 39.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.0%). A household earning below the $34,375 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How Lee County residents earn a living
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 17% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 15%. Compared with Arkansas, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (17% against 2%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 19.1% in Lee County. Long commutes are the exception here: 14% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Lee County | Gap to Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.9% | +14.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 15.3% | -8.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.0% | +0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.1% | +2.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.7% | +3.2 pts |
| Public administration | 7.8% | +3.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Places inside Lee County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Lee County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 4,059 people, so roughly 51% of residents live outside any named place. No Lee County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marianna | city | 3,417 | $20,138 | $660 | 1 mi |
| Moro | town | 264 | $41,442 | $705 | 12 mi |
| Aubrey | town | 139 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Rondo | town | 111 | $35,714 | $1,375 | 9 mi |
| Haynes | town | 75 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| LaGrange | town | 53 | $41,313 | n/a | 9 mi |
Lee County and the counties next door
Distances run center to center, from St. Francis County at 17 miles out to Woodruff County at 39. All of the six report a higher median household income than Lee County; Cross County is highest at $50,863 and Tunica County lowest at $39,364. Some neighbors are in Mississippi. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Lee County resident follows Arkansas rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County | - | $34,375 | $667/mo | 59% |
| St. Francis County, AR | 17 mi | $42,574 | $779/mo | 55% |
| Tunica County, MS | 25 mi | $39,364 | $977/mo | 40% |
| Phillips County, AR | 25 mi | $40,134 | $737/mo | 51% |
| Monroe County, AR | 25 mi | $43,214 | $614/mo | 63% |
| Cross County, AR | 35 mi | $50,863 | $764/mo | 68% |
| Woodruff County, AR | 39 mi | $48,158 | $613/mo | 65% |
People and households in Lee County
Degree holders: 7% of adults over 25. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Lee County | Arkansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 7.2% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 20.2% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.4% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 16.7% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.8% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 39.4% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 19.1% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.1% |
| 60+ min | 7.4% |
Reading the Lee County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Lee County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 39% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Tight rental budgets. With 73% of Lee County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Budget math at the Lee County median
Lee County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $2,865 a month: gross income for a household at the Lee County median
- Housing at the median rent of $667 uses 23%
- With a 43% ceiling, about $565 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Who licenses lenders for Lee County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Lee County, check the Arkansas State Bank Department. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Arkansas: Arkansas personal loans.
Checklist for Lee County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Lee County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Arkansas.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Arkansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lee County earn?
The median is $34,375; 16% earn $100,000 or more and 51% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Lee County rent compare with Arkansas?
$667 locally versus $947 for the state, 30% below.
What are the biggest places in Lee County?
By population: Marianna, Moro, Aubrey, Rondo, Haynes. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Can Lee 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.
Is there a Lee County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Arkansas it is the Arkansas State Bank Department.