Rank #34 by Population · Updated April 2026
Arkansas Population 2026
The population of Arkansas is 3,032,651 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 34th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $58,773, the median home value is $175,300, and the median age is 38.4.
Arkansas's population has grown 96.2% since 1910 (1,574,449 → 3,088,354).
3,032,651
Population
58
People / sq mi
$58,773
Median Income
38.4
Median Age
Arkansas covers 51,992 sq mi of land at a density of 58.3 people per square mile.
About Arkansas
Arkansas is defined demographically by education — 25.1% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average. Arkansas is a US state with a population of 3,032,651. It ranks #34 among US states by population.
Incomes are among the lowest of comparable places, with a median household income of $58,773, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty sits at 11.5%, below the national 12.4%. Housing costs are among the lowest of comparable places: a median home value of $175,300, with typical rent around $914.
College credentials are comparatively rare here: just 25.1%, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the lower side here, at 7.8%, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 22 minutes each way.
Arkansas, #34 by population
Arkansas Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Arkansas had a population of 1,574,449 in 1910 and 3,088,354 in 2024, a 96.2% growth over 114 years. The peak was 3,088,354 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.60%.
3,088,354
Population (2024)
1,574,449
Population (1910)
3,088,354
Peak (2024)
0.60%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 1,574,449 |
| 1920 | 1,752,204 |
| 1930 | 1,854,482 |
| 1940 | 1,949,387 |
| 1950 | 1,909,511 |
| 1960 | 1,786,272 |
| 1970 | 1,923,295 |
| 1980 | 2,286,435 |
| 1990 | 2,350,725 |
| 2000 | 2,673,400 |
| 2010 | 2,915,918 |
| 2020 | 3,011,524 |
| 2020 | 3,014,546 |
| 2021 | 3,026,870 |
| 2022 | 3,047,704 |
| 2023 | 3,069,463 |
| 2024 | 3,088,354 |
Age Distribution
Male: 49.3% · Female: 50.7%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 70.9% |
| Black or African American | 14.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.6% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.4% |
Economy & Income
$58,773
Median Household Income
$33,147
Per Capita Income
11.5%
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Unemployment Rate
$82,554
Mean Household Income
55.1%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Arkansas's overall price level is 86.9 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 13.1% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Arkansas's median household income of $58,773 has the buying power of $67,604 in average-priced areas.
86.9
Price Level (US = 100)
$67,604
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$58,773
Nominal Median Income
Education
88.6%
High School Graduate+
25.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
35,471
Live Births (2022)
11.7
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
54.7%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 74.6% |
| Black or African American | 18.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 11.9% |
Housing
$175,300
Median Home Value
$914
Median Rent
1,382,664
Total Housing Units
66.1%
Owner-Occupied
33.9%
Renter-Occupied
14.0%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
91.9% of Arkansas residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Arkansas:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 71,239 | 2.50% |
| 2 | Vietnamese | 2,888 | 0.10% |
| 3 | Thai, Lao, or other Tai-Kadai | 2,457 | 0.09% |
| 4 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 1,775 | 0.06% |
| 5 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 1,206 | 0.04% |
| 6 | Korean | 944 | 0.03% |
| 7 | Other Asian/Pacific | 825 | 0.03% |
| 8 | German | 723 | 0.03% |
| 9 | Telugu | 621 | 0.02% |
| 10 | Arabic | 554 | 0.02% |
Commute
0.3%
Drive Alone
1.5%
Carpool
7.8%
Work From Home
22.3 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | 202,739 |
| 2 | Fayetteville | 97,227 |
| 3 | Fort Smith | 89,496 |
| 4 | Springdale | 87,388 |
| 5 | Jonesboro | 79,187 |
| 6 | Rogers | 71,411 |
| 7 | Conway | 66,288 |
| 8 | North Little Rock | 64,504 |
| 9 | Bentonville | 56,326 |
| 10 | Pine Bluff | 40,436 |
| 11 | Hot Springs | 38,023 |
| 12 | Benton | 35,954 |
| 13 | Sherwood | 32,915 |
| 14 | Bella Vista | 30,935 |
| 15 | Paragould | 29,940 |
| 16 | Texarkana | 29,343 |
| 17 | Jacksonville | 29,285 |
| 18 | Russellville | 29,057 |
| 19 | Cabot | 26,733 |
| 20 | West Memphis | 24,147 |
Counties in Arkansas
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pulaski County | 398,949 | $60,385 |
| 2 | Benton County | 294,541 | $89,879 |
| 3 | Washington County | 251,863 | $66,426 |
| 4 | Sebastian County | 128,448 | $56,450 |
| 5 | Faulkner County | 126,001 | $65,071 |
| 6 | Saline County | 125,724 | $76,534 |
| 7 | Craighead County | 112,097 | $57,615 |
| 8 | Garland County | 100,062 | $55,409 |
| 9 | White County | 77,395 | $53,435 |
| 10 | Lonoke County | 74,747 | $71,449 |
| 11 | Jefferson County | 65,780 | $48,552 |
| 12 | Pope County | 63,830 | $54,606 |
| 13 | Crawford County | 60,792 | $60,362 |
| 14 | Crittenden County | 47,609 | $54,271 |
| 15 | Greene County | 46,182 | $56,793 |
| 16 | Miller County | 42,588 | $49,983 |
| 17 | Baxter County | 42,150 | $48,427 |
| 18 | Mississippi County | 39,749 | $53,428 |
| 19 | Union County | 38,368 | $50,221 |
| 20 | Independence County | 38,120 | $56,009 |
Compare Arkansas
Rankings for Arkansas
Read more about Arkansas
A complete guide to Arkansas demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Arkansas Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Arkansas
Congressional districts in Arkansas
Largest school districts in Arkansas
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Arkansas
Where to stay in Arkansas
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Frequently Asked Questions
Arkansas has a population of 3,032,651 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 34th-most populous state in the United States.
Arkansas is gaining population, with a +96.2% change over the available historical Census record. Arkansas's population has grown 96.2% since 1910 (1,574,449 → 3,088,354).
The median household income in Arkansas is $58,773, with a per capita income of $33,147. 11.5% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
70.9% of Arkansas's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 14.9% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 2.4% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Arkansas is 70.9% White, 14.9% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 2.4% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Arkansas is 38.4 years. The population is 49.3% male and 50.7% female.
Arkansas's population has grown 96.2% since 1910 (1,574,449 → 3,088,354).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Arkansas's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.