1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Pope County is $859 a month against a median household income of $57,344, about 18% of income (ACS 2020-24). 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
- A quick profile of Pope County
- What stands out in Pope County
- Pope County housing compared with Arkansas
- How much Pope County households make
- Employment and commuting in Pope County
- Russellville and the rest of Pope County
- Pope County next to its neighbors
- Before borrowing in Pope County
- Budget math at the Pope County median
- Who lives in Pope County, in numbers
- A Pope County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Pope County residents
- Other Arkansas guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Pope County
Roughly 64,131 residents live in Pope County, Arkansas, 12th by population among the state's 75 counties and county equivalents. It covers 811 square miles of land, or about 79 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Pope County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 8 Census places inside Pope County, Russellville leads by population with about 29,162; 6 of the 8 are incorporated.
What stands out in Pope County
Out of every Arkansas county, Pope County is most unusual on these measures.
- Pope County ranks 9th lowest of 75 Arkansas counties for median age: 37.0, against 38.5 statewide. A young county means many first-time borrowers; read every fee line.
- The share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 25% in Pope County. Only 9 of 75 Arkansas counties are higher. Student loan payments count in a debt-to-income ratio, so list them.
- Pope County ranks 11th lowest of 75 Arkansas counties for the housing vacancy rate: 10%, against 14% statewide. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
Pope County housing compared with Arkansas
$859 a month is the median gross rent in Pope County, 9% below the state. By the Census definition, 42% of Pope County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $170,100, or 3.0 years of median income. The ownership rate is 70%.
| Measure | Pope County | Arkansas | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $859/mo | $947/mo | 9% lower |
| Median home value | $170,100 | $188,000 | 10% lower |
| Owners | 70% | 66% | +4.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 45% | -2.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | +1.2 pts |
| Mobile homes | 11.8% | 11.0% | +0.8 pts |
How much Pope County households make
Pope County households have a median income of $57,344 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 14th of 75 in Arkansas.
| Households earning | Pope County | +/- vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.8% | +0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.0% | +2.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.6% | -2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.6% | -1.1 pts |
Some 30% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. 16.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.0%). A household earning below the $57,344 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Pope County
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Pope County residents work in education and health care and 19% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 19% locally and 13% for Arkansas. The survey's unemployment rate for Pope County averages 5.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Where residents work | Pope County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.6% | -0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.8% | +6.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | -1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | +1.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.7% | +2.5 pts |
| Construction | 6.5% | -0.8 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Pope County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Russellville and the rest of Pope County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 61% of Pope County residents live in one of the 8. Pottsville ($68,558) and Dover ($32,332) mark the top and bottom of Pope County's income range among larger places. Rent is cheapest in Pottsville ($797) and steepest in Atkins ($889). Live in one of these Pope County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russellville | city | 29,162 | $50,877 | $842 | 14 mi |
| Pottsville | city | 3,229 | $68,558 | $797 | 16 mi |
| Atkins | city | 2,877 | $61,908 | $889 | 16 mi |
| Dover | city | 1,795 | $32,332 | $816 | 7 mi |
| London | city | 1,217 | $49,688 | $827 | 15 mi |
| Hector | town | 334 | $46,250 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Appleton | CDP | 292 | $39,306 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Oak Grove | CDP | 91 | $69,038 | n/a | 7 mi |
Pope County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Conway County at 23 miles out to Perry County at 36. Perry County leads the group on income ($55,764), Searcy County trails ($44,426), and Pope County out-earns 6 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pope County | - | $57,344 | $859/mo | 70% |
| Conway County, AR | 23 mi | $54,187 | $755/mo | 74% |
| Johnson County, AR | 26 mi | $45,995 | $728/mo | 74% |
| Van Buren County, AR | 30 mi | $50,354 | $722/mo | 78% |
| Newton County, AR | 33 mi | $48,986 | $617/mo | 77% |
| Searcy County, AR | 36 mi | $44,426 | $606/mo | 79% |
| Perry County, AR | 36 mi | $55,764 | $805/mo | 80% |
Before borrowing in Pope County
What the Pope County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Budget math at the Pope County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Pope County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,779 before taxes
- Median rent: $859, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,052 a month
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Pope County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Who lives in Pope County, in numbers
Degree holders: 25% of adults over 25. Uninsured, Pope County: 7.3%; Arkansas: 9.0%.
| Residents | Pope County | Difference from Arkansas | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 5.0% | -3.8 pts | -3.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 7.3% | -1.7 pts | -0.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 12.8% | +1.6 pts | n/a |
| Median age | 37.0 | -1.5 yrs | -4.5 yrs |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | -1.3 pts | -0.9 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.7% | -1.1 pts | +2.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.9% | +0.9 pts | +3.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.1% | +0.2 pts | +0.7 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Pope County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.0% |
| 60+ min | 5.8% |
A Pope County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Pope County:
- Price the Pope County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Arkansas.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Who licenses lenders for Pope County residents
Pope County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Arkansas State Bank Department. If a Pope County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. More on Arkansas: Arkansas personal loans.
Other Arkansas guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is $57,344 a good income in Pope County?
It is the county median, so half of Pope County households earn more and half less; 24% earn $100,000 or more.
What do renters pay in Pope County?
$859 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Pope County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 70% of Pope County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
Which towns does the Pope County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 8 Census places: Russellville, Pottsville, Atkins, Dover, London.
Are Pope County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.