City profile · Arkansas · Census ACS 2023

Arkansas City, AR

Arkansas City's Census ACS profile: residents, income, housing, and the joined public-record layers available for this place.

487
Residents
$40,729
Median income
$89,600
Median home
$944
Median rent (state)
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Side-by-side metrics and state or size-class ranks use the same Census and FBI fields shown on this profile. Results stay in the URL so you can bookmark or share them.

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Starting with Arkansas City, AR - add up to three more cities on the compare page.

See how it ranks

State rank, size-class rank, and four peer cities for Arkansas City.

Place dossier plate

Sheet AR-ARKANSAS-CITY-AR · Arkansas City, AR 487 pop · income 8th pct

POP-VILLAGE · INC-LOW · COL-BELOW · SAFE-UNK · RANK-BOTTOM · PHOTO-FINISH · HOME-LOW · BOOK-UNK

  • POP-VILLAGE 487
  • INC-LOW $40,729
  • COL-BELOW 86.9
  • SAFE-UNK Safety pending
  • RANK-BOTTOM 8th
  • PHOTO-FINISH ≈ Caldwell
  • HOME-LOW $89,600
  • BOOK-UNK Tracts pending

Nearest income peer: Caldwell, KS (+ $0 income $)

Instrument codes from this place’s ACS population and household income, BEA state COL, FBI safety, national income percentile, photo-finish peer city, home-value band, and matched Census-tract book - not a moving recommendation.

Income neighbourhood around Arkansas City

Lowest/highest poles plus peers nearest Arkansas City on median household income. Full ladder: /browse and /rankings.

median HH income

What this shows Neighbourhood peers only - not a full nationwide city board. Open a near peer when the gap is small; open the poles when the spread is wide.

Source U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 5-Year Estimates As of 2026-08-08

Compare beyond this state

Nationwide peers by population, income

Out-of-state nearest neighbors for Arkansas City on ACS population and median household income . Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not a forecast that peers share a labor market or climate.

Similar population

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS population. This city: 487.

4 peers

Similar household income

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS median household income. This city: $40,729. Population peers are excluded.

4 peers

Arkansas City - the verdict

Arkansas City ranks in the 8th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

8th
percentile, household income
6th
percentile, home value
3rd
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Arkansas City, AR

487 people live in Arkansas City, Arkansas - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Households in Arkansas City report a median income of $40,729 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 26.3%. Typical homes in Arkansas City are valued around $89,600, and the median resident age is 46.1 years. 11.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 37.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Arkansas City (No Permits), per Census BPS data.

Living costs in Arkansas run below the national norm: the state registers 86.9 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $944 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Arkansas's average monthly utility costs around $210 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 55.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

A decision-led reading path

Useful questions to ask of Arkansas City's data

How this reading path is ordered

This is not a composite city score. It is a city-specific route through the available public records, ordered for this profile so the page starts with questions the joined data can actually answer. The route here runs from population change to housing and income to comparison shortlist to work and mobility; another city can have a different sequence or fewer supported layers because the source joins are not uniform.

For Arkansas City, city-specific coverage includes local building permits, annual population history, commute-mode shares. No matched row is reported here for within-city Census tract profiles, FBI reported-crime rates, matched public-school count; the page leaves those layers out instead of substituting a statewide or national value.

1. Population change

Is Arkansas City growing, shrinking, or holding steady?

Recent estimates point downward. A falling count can reflect migration, household size, annexation boundaries, or estimation noise, so it is a prompt to inspect the full series rather than a claim about local economic health.

Census PEP estimates show the population declined by -42 residents from 2020 to 2025, a -11.1% change. Separately, Census BPS recorded 0 housing units authorized in 2024. PEP and ACS are different Census series, so the trend is kept separate from the headline ACS population.

See the national growth ranking →

Question 2

How far does income reach against housing in Arkansas City?

The home-value-to-income reference is relatively compact: the ACS median home value is 2.2 times median household income. The ACS poverty estimate is 26.3%, which keeps the citywide median from describing every household.

This is a citywide price-to-income reference, not a mortgage-affordability test; it does not include interest rates, taxes, insurance, household size, or an individual buyer's down payment. The ratio makes housing the clearest place to start this profile, but a low multiple can coexist with slow demand, older stock, or household-level hardship. Compare the home-value distribution and same-state peer table before treating it as an advantage.

Compare the housing trade-off →

Question 3

Which cities make useful reference points for Arkansas City?

Within Arkansas, the closest population matches are Wesley (491 residents, $79,179 income); El Paso (494 residents, $58,529 income); Henderson (494 residents, $42,948 income). Outside the state, the closest population matches in this dataset are Lockwood CDP (Amador County), CA (487 residents); Elnora, IN (487 residents); Gaines, MI (487 residents). A third, income-matched reference set of 6 out-of-state cities sits in the income neighbourhood chart near the Place Dossier plate. These are mechanical peer sets, not claims that the places share a labor market, climate, culture, or metro context.

Use the in-state set to hold state policy and broad price conditions more nearly constant. Use the nationwide size set to ask whether cities with a similar resident count produce different housing, income, or commute outcomes. The income set is a third lens, deliberately separate from population matching.

Open a side-by-side comparison →

4. Work and mobility

What does the journey to work look like in Arkansas City?

Mode share answers how workers usually travel; it does not measure congestion, reliability, distance to a particular job, or the quality of transit service. The profile is strongly car-oriented, so a relocation comparison should put trip distance, vehicle access, and household fuel costs ahead of a citywide commute average. The same-state peer links offer a more relevant benchmark than a national label.

Driving alone is the largest reported mode at 93.2%. A reliable mean commute time is not available for this row, so the mode shares carry the comparison.

Compare commute patterns →

Population

487 residents

Micro place (under 10k)

Median Household Income

$40,729 /yr

Lowest-decile income · poverty 26.3% (Highest-decile poverty)

Cost of Living Index (state)

86.9 (US=100)

Very affordable · BEA RPP 2024, Arkansas average

City profile score · Arkansas City, AR

29/100

4 published dimensions · ACS/FBI 2023

Comparative score against U.S. cities with population of 1,000 or more on Census ACS medians (income, poverty, bachelor's share, cost of living) and FBI UCR violent-crime rates when published. Higher means a stronger standing on those published figures, not a livability rating, not a recommendation to move, buy, or pick a "best" city. Missing inputs drop out and redistribute weight. How it is calculated.

Cost of living A+
86.9 index

BEA state Regional Price Parities index (100 ≈ national average); lower is stronger on this axis. Same value for every city in the state.

Bachelor's+ share F
11.1%

Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher; ACS.

Household income F
$40,729

Median household income vs U.S. cities (pop ≥1,000); ACS.

Poverty rate F
26.3%

Share of residents below the poverty line; lower scores better on this axis.

Violent crime N/A
N/A

No FBI UCR violent-crime rate for this place (coverage is incomplete).

Arkansas City profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions) 4-axis radar comparing 1 series across Cost of living, Bachelor's+ share, Household income, Poverty rate. Cost of livingBachelor's+ shareHousehold incomePoverty rate 29 F
Arkansas City profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions)
Read the chart values
  • Cost of living: 97/100 (A+) · 86.9 index
  • Bachelor's+ share: 9/100 (F) · 11.1%
  • Household income: 8/100 (F) · $40,729
  • Poverty rate: 4/100 (F) · 26.3%

How does Arkansas City compare to other US cities?

Here's how Arkansas City stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 6% pricier than other cities
Median rent 3% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Arkansas City against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Arkansas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Arkansas-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Arkansas City near the bottom of Arkansas's cities

Among the 524 Arkansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Arkansas City ranks #1 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Arkansas City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#339 of 495
32nd percentile in Arkansas
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 524
0th percentile in Arkansas
Median Home Value
#324 of 482
33rd percentile in Arkansas
Poverty Rate
#76 of 524
85th percentile in Arkansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#323 of 524
38th percentile in Arkansas
How in-state ranks are ordered

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Arkansas only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

8thIncome percentile
Gauge source note

8th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Arkansas City's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$89,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% of 15,600 US cities

Show national distribution $0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Arkansas City $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Arkansas City's home-value-to-income ratio: 2.2×

ACS median home value divided by median household income.

Band
affordable
< 3.0×
National rank
#2,463 of 15,516
More affordable than 84% of tracked cities (pop. 1,000+)
Size class
#2,312 of 11,323
Micro cities (under 10,000)

At 2.2×, Arkansas City sits in the affordable band: national rank #2,463 of 15,516 and #2,312 of 11,323micro cities (under 10,000). The multiple is comparatively compact among tracked cities, but a low ratio can still coexist with slow demand or household-level hardship.

How this ratio is calculated

Ratio = Census ACS 2023 median home value ÷ median household income for cities with both fields and population ≥ 1,000. Rank 1 = lowest ratio (most compact). Bands match the fleet affordability thresholds used on guides (<3.0 / 3.0–5.0 / >5.0). This is not a mortgage payment estimate and does not include rates, taxes, insurance, or down payment.

Income distribution context

$40,729 Arkansas City, AR median household income (Census ACS)

Show U.S. national quintile / Lorenz context Household income distribution - Arkansas City, AR Arkansas City, AR's median household income ($40,729) against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern. The Lorenz curve and quintile bars are national context, not Arkansas City, AR-specific shares. $ Household Income Distribution Arkansas City, AR median $40,729/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Arkansas City, AR median household income (Census ACS 5-year) with U.S. national quintile shares for context. Diagonal = equality; the curve is national, not computed for Arkansas City, AR.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 26.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 37.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
487
Median Income
$40,729
Median Home Value
$89,600
Median Age
46.1
Poverty Rate
26.3%
Labor force participation
37.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.1%

Population Change

PEP vintage

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
320 residents340 residents360 residents380 residents400 residents 202020212022202320242025 378 residents 336 residents ▼ -11.1%
Arkansas City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.
Read the chart as text
Period Population
2020 378 residents
2021 368 residents
2022 360 residents
2023 351 residents
2024 347 residents
2025 336 residents

Housing Supply

BPS source

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

Commute source

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
93.2%
Carpool
3.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
3.7%

Based on 161 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

Arkansas statewide monthly utility average (EIA 2023): $210

EIA 2023 residential energy data puts average monthly utilities across Arkansas at $210 (electricity about $110 , water and sewer about $42 ).

These are Arkansas statewide averages, not a meter reading for Arkansas City. Actual bills vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Arkansas's BEA cost-of-living index is 86.9 (Well Below Average; US average = 100, RPP 2024). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in the county around Arkansas City is $944/mo. FEMA's National Risk Index, averaged to Arkansas statewide on PlainCities, rates natural-hazard exposure at 55.5 / 100 (Moderate).

Cost/risk geography note

Cost of living is a Arkansas statewide BEA average; rent is a county-level HUD Fair Market Rent for the county Arkansas City sits in; the FEMA hazard score shown here is a statewide average of county NRI inputs, not a parcel-level reading.

How Arkansas City compares to similar-size Arkansas cities

Same-state peer method

Closest same-state population matches, not geographic neighbors. Population + median household income come from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 and B19013.

City Population Median Household Income
Arkansas City (this city) 487 $40,729
Wesley 491 $79,179
El Paso 494 $58,529
Henderson 494 $42,948
Census BPS 2024
Primary sources on this page

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES. Joins use OMB Bulletin 23-01 / FIPS keys.

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Estimate caveats

ACS and UCR figures are citywide estimates with vintage lags; they do not replace a local visit, school visit, or insurance quote.

Editorial standards, provenance, and how to cite this page

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.

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