1st Advantage MortgageSt. Francis County households have a median income of $42,574 and median rent of $779 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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 St. Francis County
- What St. Francis County households earn
- Jobs and commutes in St. Francis County
- St. Francis County housing compared with Arkansas
- The counties around St. Francis County
- St. Francis County towns compared
- Who lives in St. Francis County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for St. Francis County borrowers
- A St. Francis County household budget, worked through
- Four steps for St. Francis County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of St. Francis County
Roughly 22,400 residents live in St. Francis County, Arkansas, 27th by population among the state's 75 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 635 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 35 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, St. Francis County is not part of any metropolitan area. Forrest City is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 12,646 people (56% of the county total).
What St. Francis County households earn
Half of St. Francis County households take in less than $42,574 a year and half take in more, 30% below the Arkansas median of $60,773.
| Households earning | St. Francis County | +/- vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 41.7% | +12.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.3% | -1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.5% | -5.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.6% | -5.1 pts |
About 42% of households earn under $35,000, while 17% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 28.5%, 12 points higher than the state's 16.0%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in St. Francis County
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Public administration stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 9.2% in St. Francis County. Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Where residents work | St. Francis County | Difference from Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.6% | +0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.8% | +0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.6% | -0.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.7% | +2.5 pts |
| Public administration | 8.5% | +4.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.9% | 0.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in St. Francis County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
St. Francis County housing compared with Arkansas
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $779 in St. Francis County versus $947 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 55% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $90,900, about 2.1 times the median household income. 55% of St. Francis County households own their home and 45% rent. Median construction year: 1980.
| Home costs | St. Francis County | Arkansas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $779/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $90,900 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 55% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 22% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
The counties around St. Francis County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to St. Francis County's, from 17 to 35 miles away. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than St. Francis County; Crittenden County is highest at $55,358 and Lee County lowest at $34,375. The list crosses into Mississippi, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Francis County | - | $42,574 | $779/mo | 55% |
| Lee County, AR | 17 mi | $34,375 | $667/mo | 59% |
| Cross County, AR | 18 mi | $50,863 | $764/mo | 68% |
| Crittenden County, AR | 28 mi | $55,358 | $911/mo | 57% |
| Woodruff County, AR | 30 mi | $48,158 | $613/mo | 65% |
| Tunica County, MS | 33 mi | $39,364 | $977/mo | 40% |
| Monroe County, AR | 35 mi | $43,214 | $614/mo | 63% |
St. Francis County towns compared
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in St. Francis County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 16,427 people, so roughly 27% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $22,188 in Colt to $43,250 in Hughes. Rent is cheapest in Hughes ($389) and steepest in Forrest City ($805). No St. Francis County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest City | city | 12,646 | $35,689 | $805 | 2 mi |
| Hughes | city | 886 | $43,250 | $389 | 17 mi |
| Palestine | city | 800 | $36,090 | $758 | 10 mi |
| Colt | city | 510 | $22,188 | $711 | 8 mi |
| Madison | city | 476 | $55,893 | $725 | 1 mi |
| Caldwell | town | 441 | $68,375 | $740 | 5 mi |
| Wheatley | city | 374 | $66,607 | $836 | 21 mi |
| Widener | town | 238 | $45,938 | $563 | 4 mi |
| Goodwin | CDP | 56 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Who lives in St. Francis County, in numbers
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 8.2%, against 9.0% for Arkansas.
| People and households | St. Francis County | Arkansas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.2% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.1% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 13.3% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.0% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 28.5% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.2% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | St. Francis County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.6% |
| 60+ min | 9.3% |
What the numbers mean for St. Francis County borrowers
Based on the St. Francis County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Mobile home upkeep. 13% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 28% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- 55% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
A St. Francis County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a St. Francis County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, St. Francis County: $3,548
- 22% goes to median rent ($779)
- With a 36% ceiling, about $498 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Four steps for St. Francis County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in St. Francis County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Arkansas borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Checking a lender's license in Arkansas
Consumer lenders serving St. Francis County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Arkansas that is the Arkansas State Bank Department. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Arkansas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Arkansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Francis County a high-income county?
Its $42,574 median ranks 66th of 75 Arkansas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in St. Francis County?
$779 a month at the median, about 22% of median household income.
Does this page cover Forrest City?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in St. Francis County, such as Hughes, Palestine, Colt.
Can St. Francis County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Arkansas county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in St. Francis County check a lender's license?
With the Arkansas State Bank Department. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.