1st Advantage MortgageIn Pike County, Arkansas, the typical household earns $49,269 a year and the typical rent is $686. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Arkansas license first.
On this page
- A quick profile of Pike County
- Income in Pike County compared with Arkansas
- Rent, home values and ownership in Pike County
- Jobs and commutes in Pike County
- Places inside Pike County
- Pike County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Pike County's medians
- People and households in Pike County
- Borrowing situations common in Pike County
- Steps before you apply in Pike County
- Licensing and complaints for Pike County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Pike County
Pike County is home to about 10,115 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 60th most populous of 75 county-level areas in Arkansas. Spread over 600 square miles, that works out to roughly 16.8 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Pike County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (5 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Glenwood, with about 1,841 residents, or 18% of the county.
Income in Pike County compared with Arkansas
Half of Pike County households take in less than $49,269 a year and half take in more, 19% below the Arkansas median of $60,773.
| Yearly household income | Pike County | Gap to Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.7% | +8.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | -2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.4% | -3.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -2.8 pts |
Some 38% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 21% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 20.7%, 5 points higher than the state's 16.0%. A household earning below the $49,269 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in Pike County
Renters in Pike County pay a median of $686 a month, 28% below the Arkansas figure of $947. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 61% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $121,600, about 2.5 times the median household income. 75% of Pike County households own their home and 25% rent. The median year built is 1984.
| Housing | Pike County | Arkansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $686/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $121,600 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 61% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 26.8% | 11.0% | n/a |
Because most Pike County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Jobs and commutes in Pike County
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 15%. Construction stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 82% drive to work alone and 27% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 3.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Pike County | Compared with Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.3% | +2.6 pts |
| Construction | 12.9% | +5.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -2.8 pts |
| Other services | 5.8% | +0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.8% | -2.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Pike County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Places inside Pike County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 49% of Pike County residents live in one of the 7. Kirby has the highest median household income on the list ($66,607) and Glenwood the lowest ($33,500), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Pike County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenwood | city | 1,841 | $33,500 | $664 | 14 mi |
| Murfreesboro | city | 1,819 | $53,264 | $521 | 6 mi |
| Kirby | CDP | 579 | $66,607 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Delight | city | 312 | $36,094 | $707 | 12 mi |
| Antoine | town | 159 | n/a | $710 | 16 mi |
| Daisy | town | 138 | $80,625 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Newhope | CDP | 88 | $33,819 | n/a | 13 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Pike County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (20 to 40 miles). Nevada County leads the group on income ($53,886), Howard County trails ($45,603), and Pike County out-earns 3 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pike County | - | $49,269 | $686/mo | 75% |
| Howard County, AR | 20 mi | $45,603 | $690/mo | 73% |
| Montgomery County, AR | 27 mi | $48,906 | $636/mo | 81% |
| Clark County, AR | 29 mi | $52,034 | $793/mo | 65% |
| Hempstead County, AR | 29 mi | $46,787 | $815/mo | 72% |
| Sevier County, AR | 35 mi | $53,527 | $751/mo | 68% |
| Nevada County, AR | 40 mi | $53,886 | $869/mo | 76% |
Debt-to-income at Pike County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Pike County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Pike County: $4,106
- Rent at the median, $686, takes 17% of that
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $792 left for all other debt payments
- $1,079: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Pike County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Pike County
19% of Pike County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Pike County | All of Arkansas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.2 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.1% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.6% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.9% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.1% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.8% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.7% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.3% |
| 60+ min | 14.6% |
Borrowing situations common in Pike County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Pike County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Pike County. For the 12% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Vehicle repairs. 27% of Pike County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 27% of Pike County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 21% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Steps before you apply in Pike County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Arkansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Licensing and complaints for Pike County
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. Statewide data and rules: Arkansas guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Arkansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Pike County earn?
The median is $49,269; 21% earn $100,000 or more and 38% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Pike County rent compare with Arkansas?
$686 locally versus $947 for the state, 28% below.
Should Pike County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 75% of Pike County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Pike County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Glenwood, Murfreesboro, Kirby, Delight, Antoine and 2 more.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Pike County or elsewhere in Arkansas, the same rules apply.