Sharp County, Arkansas Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 39th-largest in Arkansas

The population of Sharp County, Arkansas is 17,597 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 39th-largest county in Arkansas. The median household income is $42,950, the median home value is $94,600, and the median age is 47.5.

The population of Sharp County has grown 5.1% since 2010 (17,244 → 18,130), a +0.36% annualized rate.

Sharp County within Arkansas · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

17,597

Population

+0.36%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$42,950

Median Income

$94,600

Median Home Value

Sharp County covers 605 sq mi of land at 29.1 people per square mile.

About Sharp County, AR

Sharp County is defined demographically by education — 11.9% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average. With 17,597 residents, Sharp County is a county in Arkansas. It ranks #39 among counties in Arkansas by population.

Incomes are among the lowest of comparable places, with a median household income of $42,950, below the US median of $78,538. Roughly 12.0% of residents fall below the poverty line, close to the national 12.4%. Housing costs are among the lowest of comparable places: a median home value of $94,600, with typical rent around $648.

Sharp County is among the least college-educated US counties, at 11.9% — below the national 35.0%. Just 5.5% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 27 minutes each way.

Sharp County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Sharp County had a population of 17,244 in 2010 and 18,130 in 2024, a 5.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 18,130 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.36%.

Sharp County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

18,130

Population (2024)

17,244

Population (2010)

18,130

Peak (2024)

0.36%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	17,244	-	-	estimate
2011	17,264	+20	+0.12%	estimate
2012	17,032	-232	-1.34%	estimate
2013	17,041	+9	+0.05%	estimate
2014	16,821	-220	-1.29%	estimate
2015	16,811	-10	-0.06%	estimate
2016	17,016	+205	+1.22%	estimate
2017	17,146	+130	+0.76%	estimate
2018	17,222	+76	+0.44%	estimate
2019	17,276	+54	+0.31%	estimate
2020	17,315	+39	+0.23%	estimate
2021	17,678	+363	+2.10%	estimate
2022	17,790	+112	+0.63%	estimate
2023	17,954	+164	+0.92%	estimate
2024	18,130	+176	+0.98%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	92.4%
Black or African American	0.6%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.9%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

47.5

Median Age

50.9%

Female

49.1%

Male

25.4%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.3%

5–9

5.3%

10–14

6.1%

15–19

6.1%

20–24

4.9%

25–34

9.5%

35–44

10.2%

45–54

12.0%

55–59

8.5%

60–64

6.9%

65–74

14.7%

75–84

7.3%

85+

3.4%

Children (under 15): 16.7% · Seniors (65+): 25.4%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$42,950$-15,823 vs state
Mean household income	$66,305
Per-capita income	$26,959
Poverty rate	12.0%+0.5% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.9%
Employment-to-population	42.2%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

27.9%

Manufacturing

12.9%

Construction

10.3%

Arts, entertainment & food

7.3%

Education & health care

6.5%

Retail trade

5.4%

Public administration

5.3%

Information

4.3%

The largest employment sector in Sharp County is professional & business services, accounting for 27.9% of workers.

How residents commute

0.2%

Drive alone

0.9%

Carpool

77.7%

Public transit

5.5%

Work from home

27.0 min

Avg commute

Housing

$94,600$-80,700 vs state

Median home value

$648

Median rent

79.6%

Homeownership rate

9,515

Total housing units

71.6%

Occupied

28.4%

Vacant

20.4%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.0%

With health insurance

88.6%

With broadband internet

42.2%

Foreign-born

9.7%

Veterans (18+)

24.3%

With a disability

98.5%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

85.4%

High School+

11.9%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Arkansas

Little Rock (202,739)Fayetteville (97,227)Fort Smith (89,496)Springdale (87,388)Jonesboro (79,187)Rogers (71,411)Conway (66,288)North Little Rock (64,504)Bentonville (56,326)Pine Bluff (40,436)All Arkansas cities →

Other counties in Arkansas

Pulaski County (398,949)Benton County (294,541)Washington County (251,863)Sebastian County (128,448)Faulkner County (126,001)Saline County (125,724)Craighead County (112,097)Garland County (100,062)White County (77,395)Lonoke County (74,747)All Arkansas counties →

Part of Arkansas

Arkansas demographic profile All Arkansas data →

Metro areas in Arkansas

Memphis (1,341,606)Little Rock (753,605)Fayetteville (563,436)Fort Smith (228,916)Texarkana (146,868)Jonesboro (134,837)Hot Springs (100,062)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Sharp County, Arkansas has a population of 17,597 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 39th-largest county in Arkansas. Population density is 29 people per square mile.

The population of Sharp County has grown 5.1% since 2010 (17,244 → 18,130), a +0.36% annualized rate.

The median household income in Sharp County, Arkansas is $42,950, with mean (average) household income of $66,305 and per-capita income of $26,959. 12.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Sharp County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (92.4%), Hispanic or Latino (2.9%), Black or African American (0.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Sharp County, Arkansas is 47.5 years. Residents are 50.9% female and 49.1% male.

The median home value in Sharp County is $94,600 and median monthly rent is $648. 79.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 9,515 total housing units, 28.4% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Sharp County, Arkansas is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 27.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.9%.

Little Rock is among the largest cities associated with Sharp County, Arkansas, with a population of 202,739.