1st Advantage MortgageIn Ouachita County, Arkansas, the typical household earns $49,268 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
- Getting oriented in Ouachita County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Ouachita County
- How much Ouachita County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Ouachita County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Ouachita County
- The counties around Ouachita County
- Room for a loan payment in Ouachita County
- Borrowing situations common in Ouachita County
- Ouachita County households compared
- Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
- Four steps for Ouachita County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Ouachita County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Ouachita County's population at 22,085; only 28 of Arkansas's 75 county-level areas are larger. It covers 733 square miles of land, or about 30 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Ouachita County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 6 Census places inside Ouachita County, Camden leads by population with about 10,307; 6 of the 6 are incorporated.
Rent, home values and ownership in Ouachita County
A typical Ouachita County rental runs $764 a month including utilities, which is 19% below Arkansas. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 51% of renter households here. Home values center on $102,100, or 2.1 years of median income. 71% of Ouachita County households own their home and 29% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1974.
| Home costs | Ouachita County | Arkansas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $764/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $102,100 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.8% | 11.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 27% | 14% | n/a |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
How much Ouachita County households make
Half of Ouachita County households take in less than $49,268 a year and half take in more, 19% below the Arkansas median of $60,773. That places it 46th among Arkansas's 75 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Ouachita County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 38.1% | +9.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.1% | -2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.8% | -4.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -2.8 pts |
About 38% of households earn under $35,000, while 21% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 18.9%, 3 points higher than the state's 16.0%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.462 here. A household earning below the $49,268 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jobs and commutes in Ouachita County
By the Census industry count, 28% of employed Ouachita County residents work in manufacturing and 22% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 28% locally and 13% for Arkansas. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.2% in Ouachita County. 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home. Only 9.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Ouachita County | Gap to Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 27.7% | +15.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 21.9% | -2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.4% | -4.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.7% | -0.6 pts |
| Public administration | 7.5% | +3.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.7% | -1.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Ouachita County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Ouachita County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 13,682 residents, leaving about 38% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Stephens has the highest median household income on the list ($61,518) and Bearden the lowest ($29,750), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Ouachita County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | city | 10,307 | $49,361 | $768 | 2 mi |
| Stephens | city | 1,099 | $61,518 | $446 | 16 mi |
| East Camden | town | 1,026 | $37,500 | $851 | 8 mi |
| Bearden | city | 826 | $29,750 | $567 | 18 mi |
| Chidester | city | 305 | $24,265 | $439 | 11 mi |
| Louann | town | 119 | $32,019 | $813 | 15 mi |
The counties around Ouachita County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 36 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Ouachita County; Calhoun County is highest at $66,809 and Dallas County lowest at $42,500.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ouachita County | - | $49,268 | $764/mo | 71% |
| Calhoun County, AR | 21 mi | $66,809 | $769/mo | 88% |
| Nevada County, AR | 25 mi | $53,886 | $869/mo | 76% |
| Dallas County, AR | 29 mi | $42,500 | $627/mo | 73% |
| Columbia County, AR | 33 mi | $55,334 | $649/mo | 71% |
| Union County, AR | 33 mi | $55,259 | $847/mo | 73% |
| Clark County, AR | 36 mi | $52,034 | $793/mo | 65% |
Room for a loan payment in Ouachita County
How much room does a median Ouachita County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $4,106 a month: gross income for a household at the Ouachita County median
- Median rent: $764, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- At 40%, room after rent is $878 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Borrowing situations common in Ouachita County
Where the Ouachita County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Manufactured homes. 14% of Ouachita County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 19% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Renters under pressure. When 51% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Ouachita County households compared
16% of Ouachita County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 6.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Ouachita County | Arkansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.3% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.3% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.9% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.8% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.6% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.9% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Ouachita County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.2% |
| 60+ min | 7.5% |
Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
The Arkansas State Bank Department is the place to verify any lender's Arkansas license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Arkansas state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Ouachita County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Ouachita County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Ouachita County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Arkansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Ouachita County earn?
The median is $49,268; 21% earn $100,000 or more and 38% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Ouachita County rent compare with Arkansas?
$764 locally versus $947 for the state, 19% below.
Should Ouachita County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of Ouachita County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Camden?
Yes, along with the other 5 Census places in Ouachita County, such as Stephens, East Camden, Bearden.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Ouachita County or elsewhere in Arkansas, the same rules apply.