1st Advantage MortgageAbout 79% of Searcy County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $44,426. 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
- Getting oriented in Searcy County
- Income in Searcy County compared with Arkansas
- Jobs and commutes in Searcy County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Searcy County
- Counties near Searcy County
- The communities that make up Searcy County
- Who lives in Searcy County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Searcy County
- Debt-to-income at Searcy County's medians
- Arkansas rules that apply in Searcy County
- Checklist for Searcy County applicants
- More guides for Searcy County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Searcy County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Searcy County's population at 7,859; only 67 of Arkansas's 75 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 666 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 12 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Searcy County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Searcy County, Marshall leads by population with about 1,196; 6 of the 7 are incorporated. Because Searcy County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Income in Searcy County compared with Arkansas
Searcy County households have a median income of $44,426 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 60th of 75 in Arkansas.
| Households earning | Searcy County | +/- vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 43.4% | +14.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.1% | -2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 12.3% | -9.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.3% | -3.4 pts |
About 43% of households earn under $35,000, while 16% clear $100,000. 23.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 16.0%). A household earning below the $44,426 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jobs and commutes in Searcy County
The biggest employer of Searcy County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by retail trade (14%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.7% in Searcy County. About 88% drive to work alone and 29% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Searcy County workers | vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.7% | -2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.3% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 11.3% | +4.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.0% | -2.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.5% | +6.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | +0.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Searcy County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Rent, home values and ownership in Searcy County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $606 in Searcy County versus $947 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 56% of renter households here. Home values center on $110,000, or 2.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1984.
| Home costs | Searcy County | Arkansas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $606/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $110,000 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 18.6% | 11.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 32% | 14% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Searcy County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Counties near Searcy County
Van Buren County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Boone County, is 35 miles off. Income ranges from $40,943 in Stone County to $55,143 in Boone County; 5 of these neighbors top Searcy County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Searcy County | - | $44,426 | $606/mo | 79% |
| Van Buren County, AR | 24 mi | $50,354 | $722/mo | 78% |
| Marion County, AR | 26 mi | $48,619 | $795/mo | 81% |
| Newton County, AR | 29 mi | $48,986 | $617/mo | 77% |
| Stone County, AR | 31 mi | $40,943 | $626/mo | 76% |
| Baxter County, AR | 33 mi | $48,452 | $846/mo | 75% |
| Boone County, AR | 35 mi | $55,143 | $733/mo | 71% |
The communities that make up Searcy County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Searcy County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 2,138 residents, leaving about 73% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Searcy County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | city | 1,196 | $28,021 | $500 | 3 mi |
| Leslie | city | 444 | $21,667 | $407 | 9 mi |
| Pindall | town | 198 | $41,641 | n/a | 15 mi |
| St. Joe | town | 136 | $48,036 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Witts Springs | CDP | 77 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Big Flat | town | 71 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
| Gilbert | town | 16 | $121,250 | n/a | 7 mi |
Who lives in Searcy County, in numbers
15% of Searcy County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 8.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Searcy County | Arkansas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.9 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.0% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.1% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.2% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.0% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Searcy County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.8% |
| 60+ min | 13.9% |
Before borrowing in Searcy County
Based on the Searcy County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Vehicle repairs. 29% of Searcy County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 19% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Older households. A 47.9 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Assistance before credit. With a 23% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Searcy County loan.
Debt-to-income at Searcy County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Searcy County's medians:
- Start: $3,702 gross per month ($44,426 / 12)
- Median rent: $606, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $727 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $986 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Arkansas rules that apply in Searcy County
The Arkansas State Bank Department is the place to verify any lender's Arkansas license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Arkansas guide.
Checklist for Searcy County applicants
A short checklist for Searcy County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Searcy County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Arkansas.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
More guides for Searcy County
The Arkansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Searcy County?
$44,426 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $60,773 for Arkansas. It ranks 60th of 75 in the state.
How does Searcy County rent compare with Arkansas?
$606 locally versus $947 for the state, 36% below.
I own my home in Searcy County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Searcy County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Marshall, Leslie, Pindall, St. Joe, Witts Springs.
Does living in Searcy 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 Searcy County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.