Demographics

Arkansas’ population is growing, aging, and becoming slightly more diverse in terms of race and ethnic background.

Arkansas’ population increased by 4.4% from 2010 to 2022, in comparison to 8% growth for the nation as a whole. This growth has been unevenly distributed across counties within the state, with the majority of counties losing population over this time period. Benton County had the most growth with a 37% increase in its population from 2010 to 2022, followed by Washington County at 26%. On the other end, Phillips County lost 30% of its population and Dallas, St. Francis and Lafayette counties each lost more than 20% of their population in the same time period.

Though still majority white, Arkansas is becoming slightly more diverse in terms of race and ethnicity. In 2019, Arkansans identified as 79% white, 16% black, 8% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 2% two or more races, 1% Native American, and 0.4% (11,800 individuals) Pacific Islander. Pacific Islanders and Hispanics were the groups that saw the largest percent growth in their populations from 2000 to 2019. Counties vary widely in their racial and ethnic diversity, ranging from Phillips County, which is majority minority, and has only 36% of residents identifying as white, to Baxter County (among others) which has 97% of residents identifying as white.

Arkansas is getting older, with increases in both its 60-84 and its 85+ age categories from 2000 to 2019. In 2019, 24% of its population was over age 60 (in contrast to 18% in 2000). Within the state, only 23% of counties saw their numbers of children and young adults (those under age 20) increase.





INDICATORS TREND | STATE
Access to Quality Seats for Infants and Toddlers Increasing
Access to Quality Childcare Seats for Preschoolers Maintaining
Grade 3 Reading Decreasing
Grade 8 Math Maintaining
Graduation Rate Increasing
Remediation Rate Decreasing
Adults with a High School Degree Increasing
Adults with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher Increasing
Adults Pursuing Further Education Decreasing
Imagination Libraries Increasing
Infant Mortality Maintaining
Early Prenatal Care Increasing
Overweight or Obese Students Increasing
Student Drug Usage Decreasing
Overweight or Obese Adults Increasing
Physically Inactive Adults Maintaining
Smoking Rate Decreasing
Flouridated Water Increasing
Insurance Coverage Rates Increasing
Oral Health Increasing
Life Expectancy Decreasing
Routine Check-ups Increasing
Births to Teens Decreasing
Female-headed Households Increasing
Children Living in Poverty Increasing
People Living in Poverty Increasing
Elderly Living in Poverty Decreasing
Median Household Income Maintaining
Unemployment Rate Increasing
Homeownership Rate Decreasing
Child Abuse and Neglect Decreasing
Access to Financial Services Decreasing
Food Insecurity Decreasing
Incarceration Rate Increasing
Homelessness Decreasing
Change in Total Jobs Increasing
Cost of Homeownership Maintaining
Cost of Rent Increasing
Households Below ALICE Threshold Not Applicable
Child Care Costs for Toddlers Not Applicable
Medical Debt Not Applicable
Voter Participation Rate Decreasing
Charitable Giving Increasing
Volunteering Increasing
Group Participation Increasing
Connection to Neighbors Decreasing
Local Voting Not Applicable
Change in Population Increasing
Change in Population by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable
Change in Population by Age Not Applicable
Adults with a High School Degree Increasing
Adults with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher Increasing
Life Expectancy Decreasing
Female-headed Households Increasing
Children Living in Poverty Increasing
People Living in Poverty Increasing
Elderly Living in Poverty Decreasing
Median Household Income Maintaining
Unemployment Rate Increasing
Homeownership Rate Decreasing
Child Abuse and Neglect Decreasing
Incarceration Rate Increasing
Medical Debt Not Applicable
Change in Population by Race/Ethnicity Not Applicable


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