1st Advantage MortgageIn Yell County, Arkansas, the typical household earns $55,934 a year and the typical rent is $735. 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
- Yell County at a glance
- Rent, home values and ownership in Yell County
- How much Yell County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Yell County
- How Yell County compares with nearby counties
- Towns and communities in Yell County
- A Yell County household budget, worked through
- Yell County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for Yell County
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Yell County
- More guides for Yell County
- Frequently asked questions
Yell County at a glance
With an estimated 20,134 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Yell County ranks 33rd of 75 in Arkansas for population. Land area is 930 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 22 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Yell County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Dardanelle is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 4,511 people (22% of the county total).
Rent, home values and ownership in Yell County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $735 in Yell County versus $947 statewide. 35% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 8% spend half or more. With a median value of $143,600, a typical Yell County house costs 2.6 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 68%. The median year built is 1984.
| Housing | Yell County | Arkansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $735/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $143,600 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | n/a |
How much Yell County households make
The median household income in Yell County is $55,934; statewide it is $60,773, so Yell County runs 8% below Arkansas as a whole. That places it 18th among Arkansas's 75 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Yell County | +/- vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.8% | +3.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.5% | +2.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.8% | -2.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.0% | -3.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 22% of Yell County households make $100,000 or more, and 33% make less than $35,000. Census counts 15.6% of Yell County residents in poverty, against 16.0% across Arkansas. None of these numbers decides a Yell County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Yell County
The biggest employer of Yell County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 27% of workers, followed by education and health care (18%). Manufacturing stands out: 27% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.4% in Yell County. About 78% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Yell County | Gap to Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 26.6% | +13.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.1% | -5.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.6% | -4.6 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +1.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.4% | +5.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | +0.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
How Yell County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Yell County's, from 23 to 38 miles away. Logan County leads the group on income ($58,555), Scott County trails ($43,270), and Yell County out-earns 3 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yell County | - | $55,934 | $735/mo | 68% |
| Logan County, AR | 23 mi | $58,555 | $745/mo | 78% |
| Perry County, AR | 27 mi | $55,764 | $805/mo | 80% |
| Garland County, AR | 33 mi | $57,181 | $966/mo | 69% |
| Montgomery County, AR | 34 mi | $48,906 | $636/mo | 81% |
| Pope County, AR | 38 mi | $57,344 | $859/mo | 70% |
| Scott County, AR | 38 mi | $43,270 | $722/mo | 78% |
Towns and communities in Yell County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 47% of Yell County residents live in one of the 9. Incomes vary by place: $66,401 at the median in Belleville, $32,679 in Ola. No Yell County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dardanelle | city | 4,511 | $51,040 | $984 | 21 mi |
| Danville | city | 2,289 | $64,420 | $635 | 4 mi |
| Ola | city | 914 | $32,679 | $574 | 11 mi |
| Plainview | city | 550 | $45,329 | $425 | 6 mi |
| Belleville | city | 517 | $66,401 | $738 | 7 mi |
| Havana | city | 343 | $53,000 | $1,050 | 10 mi |
| Centerville | CDP | 211 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Rover | CDP | 142 | $83,264 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Corinth | town | 38 | $40,469 | n/a | 5 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
A Yell County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Yell County's medians:
- Start: $4,661 gross per month ($55,934 / 12)
- 16% goes to median rent ($735)
- At 36%, room after rent is $943 a month
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,269 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Yell County's.
Yell County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 15% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 10.2%, against 9.0% for Arkansas.
| People and households | Yell County | Arkansas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.3 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.9% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.2% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.2% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.5% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.1% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.6% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Yell County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.9% |
Local borrowing considerations for Yell County
Where the Yell County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 10% of Yell County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 17% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Before you sign
Quick steps for Yell County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Yell County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Yell County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Yell County, check the Arkansas State Bank Department. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Arkansas guide.
More guides for Yell County
For statewide rules and data, see the Arkansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Yell County earn?
The median is $55,934; 22% earn $100,000 or more and 33% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Yell County?
$735 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
I live in a small Yell County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Dardanelle, Danville, Ola, Plainview, Belleville and 4 more.
Are Yell 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.
Is there a Yell County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Arkansas it is the Arkansas State Bank Department.