1st Advantage MortgageSebastian County (128,900 residents) has a $57,790 median household income and $886 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Sebastian County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- First look: Sebastian County, AR
- Sebastian County at the extremes
- How Sebastian County residents earn a living
- Where Sebastian County households live
- Paychecks and income spread in Sebastian County
- Counties near Sebastian County
- Places inside Sebastian County
- A Sebastian County household budget, worked through
- Sebastian County demographics against Arkansas
- Reading the Sebastian County data as a borrower
- Licensing and complaints for Sebastian County
- Steps before you apply in Sebastian County
- More guides for Sebastian County
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Sebastian County, AR
With an estimated 128,900 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Sebastian County ranks 4th of 75 in Arkansas for population. Density: about 242.7 residents per square mile across 531 square miles of land. Metro area: Fort Smith, AR-OK (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (11 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Fort Smith, with about 89,805 residents, or 70% of the county.
Sebastian County at the extremes
Where Sebastian County lands at the extremes of Arkansas's county rankings:
- The share of commutes over 45 minutes: 6% in Sebastian County. Only 1 of 75 Arkansas counties are lower. Less driving means fewer surprise repair bills.
- The share of mobile homes: 3.6% in Sebastian County. Only 1 of 75 Arkansas counties are lower. Few mobile homes means most owners have traditional equity options.
- Few Arkansas counties match Sebastian County on population: 128,900 here, 3,049,391 for the state, ranking 4th highest of 75. More people usually means more banks and credit unions to compare nearby.
How Sebastian County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Sebastian County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by manufacturing (18%). Manufacturing stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.5% in Sebastian County. Long commutes are the exception here: 6% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 6.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Sebastian County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.8% | -2.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.1% | +5.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | -1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.3% | +2.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | +0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.1% | -0.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Where Sebastian County households live
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $886 in Sebastian County versus $947 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 42% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $176,200, about 3.0 times the median household income. 61% of Sebastian County households own their home and 39% rent. Median construction year: 1981.
| Cost | Sebastian County | Arkansas figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 61% | 66% | -5.0 pts |
| Vacant units | 9% | 14% | -4.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 45% | -2.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 22% | -2.1 pts |
| Median gross rent | $886/mo | $947/mo | 6% lower |
| Median home value | $176,200 | $188,000 | 6% lower |
Paychecks and income spread in Sebastian County
The median household income in Sebastian County is $57,790; statewide it is $60,773, so Sebastian County runs 5% below Arkansas as a whole.
| Households earning | Sebastian County | +/- vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.5% | -0.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.8% | +2.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.4% | -1.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.3% | -0.4 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. Poverty rate, Sebastian County: 16.0%; Arkansas: 16.0%. Sebastian County scores 0.506 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. None of these numbers decides a Sebastian County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Counties near Sebastian County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Sebastian County's, from 26 to 34 miles away. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Sebastian County; Crawford County is highest at $64,132 and Scott County lowest at $43,270. The list crosses into Oklahoma, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastian County | - | $57,790 | $886/mo | 61% |
| Scott County, AR | 26 mi | $43,270 | $722/mo | 78% |
| Crawford County, AR | 27 mi | $64,132 | $851/mo | 75% |
| Franklin County, AR | 31 mi | $55,886 | $719/mo | 78% |
| Logan County, AR | 31 mi | $58,555 | $745/mo | 78% |
| Le Flore County, OK | 32 mi | $51,565 | $798/mo | 73% |
| Sequoyah County, OK | 34 mi | $51,093 | $811/mo | 71% |
Places inside Sebastian County
Here are the 11 most populous of the county's 11 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 87% of Sebastian County residents live in one of the 11. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $44,081 in Hackett to $80,924 in Lavaca. Rent is cheapest in Hackett ($708) and steepest in Central City ($1,141). From Fort Smith to the smallest crossroads, Sebastian County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | city | 89,805 | $54,816 | $884 | 12 mi |
| Greenwood | city | 9,616 | $66,844 | $836 | 2 mi |
| Barling | city | 5,007 | $54,387 | $1,128 | 9 mi |
| Lavaca | city | 2,489 | $80,924 | $923 | 11 mi |
| Mansfield | city | 1,204 | $53,068 | $796 | 9 mi |
| Hackett | city | 1,118 | $44,081 | $708 | 8 mi |
| Bonanza | city | 711 | $63,631 | $945 | 8 mi |
| Central City | town | 627 | $69,583 | $1,141 | 10 mi |
| Hartford | city | 496 | $45,341 | $911 | 13 mi |
| Huntington | city | 468 | $35,833 | $917 | 8 mi |
| Midland | town | 262 | $36,461 | $1,119 | 8 mi |
A Sebastian County household budget, worked through
Sebastian County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $4,816 gross per month ($57,790 / 12)
- Median rent: $886, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- $848: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Sebastian County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Sebastian County demographics against Arkansas
Bachelor's degree or higher: 23% of Sebastian County adults. 10.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Sebastian County | +/- Arkansas | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| No high school diploma | 14.4% | +3.1 pts | n/a |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.3% | -2.4 pts | +1.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 10.5% | +1.5 pts | +2.7 pts |
| Work from home | 7.6% | -1.2 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.5% | +0.5 pts | +1.1 pts |
| Median age | 38.0 | -0.5 yrs | -3.5 yrs |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | +0.1 pts | +0.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.0% | 0.0 pts | +2.8 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.0% |
| 60+ min | 3.2% |
Reading the Sebastian County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Sebastian County borrowers.
- Care without coverage. About 13,537 Sebastian County residents lack insurance; check charity care before a loan (how).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Licensing and complaints for Sebastian County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Sebastian County borrowers answers to the Arkansas State Bank Department. Nationally, Sebastian County residents can file with the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Arkansas guide.
Steps before you apply in Sebastian County
A short checklist for Sebastian County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Sebastian County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Sebastian County-area credit union.
- Verify the Arkansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Sebastian County
No city in Sebastian County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sebastian County a high-income county?
Its $57,790 median ranks 13th of 75 Arkansas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Sebastian County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $886 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Is Midland covered?
Yes. Midland is one of 11 Census places in Sebastian County, and this guide covers all of them.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Sebastian County or elsewhere in Arkansas, the same rules apply.
What agency protects Sebastian County borrowers?
The Arkansas State Bank Department at the state level and the CFPB federally.