Poverty in Arkansas
What is the poverty rate in Arkansas?
The poverty rate in Arkansas is 18.1%. One out of every 5.5 residents of Arkansas lives in poverty.
How many people in Arkansas live in poverty?
524,211 of 2,890,095 residents reported income levels below the poverty line in the last year.
How does the Poverty Rate in Arkansas compare to the national average?
Arkansas ranks 46th in Poverty Rate at 18.1%(poverty rankings by state).The Poverty Rate of Arkansas is meaningfully higher than the national average of 14.6%.
Arkansas Poverty Rate County Map
Arkansas Poverty Rate By Sex
What is the poverty rate for men vs women living in Arkansas?
Male
The Poverty Rate for men who live in Arkansas is 16.7%.
Female
The Poverty Rate for women who live in Arkansas is 19.5%.
Poverty Rate Disparity for Male vs Female Residents of Arkansas
Female residents of Arkansas are moderately(16%) more likely to live in poverty than males.
235,444 of 1,410,332 males in Arkansas live below the poverty line.
288,767 of 1,479,763 females in Arkansas live below the poverty line.
Arkansas Poverty Rate By Age
What's the Poverty Rate in Arkansas By Age?
Breakdown of Arkansas Poverty Rate By Age
- Children Under 6 in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 29.4%.
- Children 6 to 11 Years Old in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 25.9%.
- Adolescents 12 to 17 Years Old in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 22.0%.
- Adults 18 to 59 Years Old in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 17.7%.
- Adults 60 to 74 Years Old in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 10.6%.
- 75 to 84 Years Old in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 11.1%.
- Over 85 Years Old in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 15.2%.
Historical Arkansas Poverty Rate
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY % Change | National |
|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
18.8% | 15.3% | |
2011 |
19.5% | 3.0% | 15.9% |
2012 |
19.8% | 1.0% | 15.9% |
2013 |
19.7% | 0.0% | 15.8% |
2014 |
18.9% | 4.0% | 15.5% |
2015 |
19.1% | 1.0% | 14.7% |
2016 |
17.2% | 10.0% | 14.0% |
2017 |
16.4% | 4.0% | 13.4% |
Arkansas Poverty Rate By Race
| Race | Population | Poverty Rate | National Poverty Rate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Black |
437,236 |
31.9% | 25.2% | 14.7% |
American Indian |
18,914 |
23.5% | 26.8% | 0.6% |
Asian |
41,569 |
14.2% | 11.9% | 1.4% |
Pacific Islander |
6,975 |
29.1% | 19.0% | 0.2% |
Other |
73,891 |
30.9% | 23.8% | 2.5% |
Two Or More Races |
70,274 |
24.4% | 18.4% | 2.4% |
White |
2,115,730 |
14.1% | 10.3% | 71.0% |
Hispanic |
209,473 |
29.6% | 22.2% | 7.0% |
What's the Poverty Rate in Arkansas By Race?
31.9% of Black residents of Arkansas live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of black residents in Arkansas is the same as than the national average. 139,406 of 437,236 black Arkansans live below the poverty line. Approximately 14.7% of the total population of Arkansas are black.
14.2% of Asian residents of Arkansas live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of asian residents in Arkansas is the same as than the national average. 5,909 of 41,569 asian Arkansans live below the poverty line. Approximately 1.4% of the total population of Arkansas is asian.
14.1% of White residents of Arkansas live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of white residents in Arkansas is the same as than the national average. 297,355 of 2,115,730 white Arkansans live below the poverty line. Approximately 71.0% of the total population of Arkansas are white.
29.6% of Hispanic residents of Arkansas live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of hispanic residents in Arkansas is dramatically higher than the national average of 22.2%. 61,991 of 209,473 hispanic Arkansans live below the poverty line. Approximately 7.0% of the total population of Arkansas are hispanic.
Arkansas Poverty Rate By School Enrollment
Understanding where poverty hits hardest in Arkansas can be better understood by segmenting poverty by whether or not the resident is in school or not.
- Enrolled in School in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 24.8%.
- Not Enrolled in School in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 15.2%.
The Poverty Rate of Arkansas residents enrolled in school is meaningfully higher than the national average of 20.1%. This translates to 174,607 of 703,209 Arkansans enrolled in school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 23.6% of the total population of Arkansas are currently enrolled in school.
The Poverty Rate of Arkansas residents not enrolled in school is meaningfully higher than the national average of 12.2%. This translates to 315,442 of 2,076,689 Arkansans not enrolled in school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 69.7% of the total population of Arkansas are currently not enrolled in school.
Poverty for younger ages in Arkansas is seen as the most undesirable for the future of the community.
- Enrolled in Nursery School in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 26.4%.
- Enrolled in Elementary School(Grades 1-4) in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 26.1%.
The Poverty Rate of Arkansas residents enrolled in nursery school is dramatically higher than the national average of 18.0%. This translates to 12,888 of 48,766 Arkansans enrolled in nursery school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 1.6% of the total population of Arkansas are currently enrolled in nursery school.
The Poverty Rate of Arkansas residents enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4) is meaningfully higher than the national average of 21.2%. This translates to 40,310 of 154,483 Arkansans enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 5.2% of the total population of Arkansas are currently enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4).
Poverty for developing children and young adults in Arkansas can have drastic impacts on graduation and college attendance rates.
- Enrolled in Middle School(Grade 5-8) in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 24.0%.
- Enrolled in High School (Grades 9-12) in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 21.0%.
The Poverty Rate of Arkansas residents enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8) is meaningfully higher than the national average of 19.0%. This translates to 36,055 of 150,090 Arkansans enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 5.0% of the total population of Arkansas are currently enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8).
The Poverty Rate of Arkansas residents enrolled in high school (grades 9-12) is moderately higher than the national average of 17.7%. This translates to 32,036 of 152,808 Arkansans enrolled in high school (grades 9-12) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 5.1% of the total population of Arkansas are currently enrolled in high school (grades 9-12).
Adult students in college, graduate or professional schools generally bring employers, revenue and higher living wages post-graduation and are seen as a positive to the community.
- Enrolled in Undergraduate School in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 28.8%.
- Enrolled in Graduate or Professional School in Arkansas have a Poverty Rate of 17.2%.
The Poverty Rate of Arkansas residents enrolled in undergraduate school is meaningfully higher than the national average of 23.4%. This translates to 37,342 of 129,881 Arkansans enrolled in undergraduate school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 4.4% of the total population of Arkansas are currently enrolled in undergraduate school.
The Poverty Rate of Arkansas residents enrolled in graduate or professional school is the same as than the national average of 17.2%. This translates to 4,750 of 27,682 Arkansans enrolled in graduate or professional school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 0.9% of the total population of Arkansas is currently enrolled in graduate or professional school.
Arkansas Poverty Rate By Place of Birth
What is the poverty rate for residents of Arkansas born US Citizens vs Foreign-Born?
18.0%
The Poverty Rate for residents of Arkansas who were born citizens of the United States is 18.0%.
21.8%
The Poverty Rate for residents of Arkansas who were born citizens of a country other than the US is 21.8%.
Poverty Rate for residents of Arkansas born US Citizens vs Foreign-Born
Foreign-born residents of Arkansas have a higher poverty rate than those who were born US citizens.
Of the 2,751,251 residents of Arkansas who were born citizens of the United States, 493,947 (18.0%) had income levels below the poverty line within the past year.
Conversely, 30,264 (21.8%) of 138,844 residents of Arkansas who were born citizens of a country other than the US reported income levels below the poverty line within the past year.
Arkansas Poverty Rate By City
| City | Rank | Poverty Rate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
Alma |
97th |
20.9% | 5,616 |
Arkadelphia |
156th |
29.7% | 10,664 |
Ashdown |
114th |
23.3% | 4,471 |
Barling |
144th |
27.4% | 4,809 |
Batesville |
77th |
18.0% | 10,568 |
Beebe |
57th |
14.3% | 7,992 |
Bella Vista |
6th |
4.5% | 28,092 |
Benton |
25th |
8.8% | 34,034 |
Bentonville |
16th |
7.3% | 44,601 |
Berryville |
63rd |
15.5% | 5,389 |
Blytheville |
148th |
28.2% | 14,588 |
Booneville |
150th |
28.7% | 3,876 |
Bryant |
5th |
4.4% | 19,607 |
Cabot |
47th |
12.7% | 25,732 |
Camden |
191st |
35.6% | 11,289 |
Cave Springs |
3rd |
3.4% | 3,320 |
Centerton |
13th |
6.7% | 12,178 |
Cherokee Village |
122nd |
23.9% | 4,804 |
Clarksville |
129th |
24.3% | 9,448 |
Conway |
74th |
17.8% | 64,481 |
Corning |
178th |
33.0% | 3,205 |
Crossett |
164th |
30.5% | 5,142 |
Dardanelle |
98th |
21.2% | 4,588 |
De Queen |
140th |
26.6% | 6,623 |
DeWitt |
130th |
24.3% | 3,166 |
Dumas |
189th |
35.2% | 4,358 |
East End |
9th |
5.9% | 7,179 |
El Dorado |
138th |
26.2% | 18,201 |
Farmington |
15th |
7.1% | 6,598 |
Fayetteville |
128th |
24.3% | 81,889 |
Fordyce |
36th |
11.2% | 4,014 |
Forrest City |
174th |
31.7% | 14,691 |
Fort Smith |
136th |
25.8% | 87,537 |
Gentry |
107th |
22.5% | 3,743 |
Gibson |
41st |
11.9% | 5,415 |
Gosnell |
61st |
15.1% | 3,375 |
Gravette |
34th |
11.0% | 3,293 |
Greenbrier |
103rd |
22.2% | 5,271 |
Greenwood |
37th |
11.4% | 9,311 |
Harrison |
102nd |
22.0% | 13,058 |
Haskell |
19th |
7.6% | 4,495 |
Heber Springs |
87th |
19.4% | 7,079 |
Helena-West Helena |
205th |
42.5% | 11,210 |
Hope |
154th |
28.9% | 9,923 |
Hot Springs Village |
14th |
7.0% | 13,918 |
Hot Springs |
143rd |
27.3% | 36,780 |
Huntsville |
168th |
31.4% | 3,248 |
Jacksonville |
69th |
16.9% | 28,637 |
Johnson |
26th |
8.9% | 3,611 |
Jonesboro |
93rd |
20.4% | 73,581 |
Landmark |
8th |
5.5% | 3,313 |
Little Rock |
75th |
17.8% | 197,780 |
Lonoke |
54th |
14.0% | 4,229 |
Lowell |
23rd |
8.3% | 8,622 |
Magnolia |
163rd |
30.5% | 11,570 |
Malvern |
126th |
24.2% | 10,830 |
Manila |
177th |
32.9% | 3,307 |
Marianna |
195th |
36.3% | 3,795 |
Marion |
28th |
9.1% | 12,467 |
Maumelle |
10th |
5.9% | 17,967 |
McGehee |
206th |
43.0% | 3,921 |
Mena |
193rd |
36.1% | 5,612 |
Monticello |
175th |
32.2% | 9,660 |
Morrilton |
142nd |
26.7% | 6,663 |
Mountain Home |
32nd |
10.7% | 12,253 |
Nashville |
182nd |
33.9% | 4,469 |
Newport |
187th |
34.7% | 7,770 |
North Little Rock |
134th |
25.3% | 66,144 |
Osceola |
192nd |
36.0% | 7,160 |
Ozark |
184th |
34.2% | 3,604 |
Paragould |
70th |
17.0% | 27,815 |
Paris |
179th |
33.5% | 3,412 |
Pea Ridge |
12th |
6.5% | 5,296 |
Piggott |
101st |
21.6% | 3,667 |
Pine Bluff |
160th |
30.4% | 44,509 |
Piney |
119th |
23.6% | 4,385 |
Pocahontas |
124th |
24.0% | 6,459 |
Prairie Grove |
11th |
6.3% | 5,187 |
Prescott |
188th |
34.9% | 3,112 |
Rockwell |
35th |
11.2% | 4,049 |
Rogers |
46th |
12.4% | 63,411 |
Russellville |
131st |
24.3% | 29,147 |
Searcy |
86th |
19.3% | 23,819 |
Shannon Hills |
7th |
5.4% | 3,674 |
Sheridan |
50th |
13.1% | 4,850 |
Sherwood |
40th |
11.9% | 30,590 |
Siloam Springs |
111th |
22.9% | 16,311 |
Springdale |
81st |
18.8% | 77,252 |
Stuttgart |
110th |
22.7% | 8,979 |
Texarkana |
133rd |
24.6% | 30,120 |
Trumann |
127th |
24.2% | 7,103 |
Van Buren |
85th |
19.2% | 23,135 |
Vilonia |
29th |
9.2% | 4,390 |
Waldron |
123rd |
24.0% | 3,435 |
Walnut Ridge |
80th |
18.5% | 5,146 |
Ward |
52nd |
13.9% | 4,799 |
Warren |
181st |
33.8% | 5,715 |
West Memphis |
166th |
31.1% | 25,152 |
White Hall |
44th |
12.1% | 5,213 |
Wynne |
96th |
20.6% | 8,095 |
Research & Reports
National Poverty Statistics
Where are the most poverty-stricken areas in your state? We breakdown over 3,000 counties nationwide and show the rank the best and worst communities by poverty rate in your area.
See Poverty Statistics
Social Security Payments in Arkansas
How are the Social Security Payments distributed throughout Arkansas? We breakdown social security benefits by city and county statewide and rank communities with the most and least social security income per capita.
Arkansas Social Security
Food Stamp Recipients in Arkansas
Which areas receive the most food stamp public assistance in Arkansas? We breakdown food stamps by city and county statewide and rank communities with the most and least food and nutrional supplements given to residents.
Arkansas Food Stamps