City profile · Arkansas · Census ACS 2023

Blytheville, AR

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Blytheville - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

13,026
Residents
$49,928
Median income
$101,200
Median home
$880
Median rent (state)

Blytheville - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Blytheville places in the 19th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

19th
percentile, household income
10th
percentile, home value
3rd
percentile, median rent
2nd
percentile, safety
📝 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: Blytheville, AR

Arkansas's Blytheville is a small town, with 13,026 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Blytheville households earn a median of $49,928 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 13.3%. Typical homes in Blytheville are valued around $101,200, and the median resident age is 39.1 years. Educational attainment runs 15.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 7 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 75% from five years earlier. Blytheville's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 5779.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Blytheville's yearly average temperature at 60.7°F with 51.6 inches of precipitation per year and 2.9 inches of snowfall.

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $880 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Arkansas's average monthly utility costs around $210 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 89.2 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

13,026 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arkansas

Median Household Income

$49,928 /yr

Poverty 13.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

86.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arkansas average

How does Blytheville compare to other US cities?

Where Blytheville sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 19% higher than other cities
Home value 10% pricier than other cities
Median rent 3% pricier than other cities
Safety 2% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Arkansas and the picture shifts: Blytheville ranks #156 of 160 Arkansas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Blytheville's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Arkansas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

19thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

19th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Blytheville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Blytheville's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 38 Avg. percentile National median
Blytheville's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Blytheville's home value compares nationally

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

$101,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 90% of 15,600 US cities

$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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Blytheville $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

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Blytheville, AR Blytheville, AR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Blytheville, AR-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Blytheville, AR median $49,928/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%
Blytheville, AR's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Blytheville, AR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.1%

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

Population
13,026
Median Income
$49,928
Median Home Value
$101,200
Median Age
39.1
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Labor force participation
57.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5779.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1359.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4419.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
60.7°F
Annual Precipitation
51.6"
Annual Snowfall
2.9"

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,000 residents12,500 residents13,000 residents13,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 13,350 residents 12,227 residents ▼ -8.4%
Blytheville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 5
2021 5
2022 17
2023 1
2024 7

Permit volume increased 75% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.4%
Carpool
15.5%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
0.1%
Work from Home
1.8%
Other
1.0%

Based on 5,676 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Arkansas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$58
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$210
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Arkansas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Arkansas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Blytheville sits in

Cost of Living Index
86.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$880/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arkansas

Mountain Home
13,021 people
Harrison
13,217 people
Forrest City
12,826 people
Marion
13,641 people
Batesville
11,385 people
Magnolia
10,973 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Blytheville's 13,026 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Smyrna, DE
13,031 people
Tomball, TX
13,032 people
D'Iberville, MS
13,033 people
Sharon, PA
13,019 people
Mango, FL
13,037 people
Athens, TX
13,013 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Blytheville's $49,928 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Brackenridge, PA
$49,929 median income
Middlesex, NC
$49,931 median income
Golden Glades, FL
$49,932 median income
Buda, IL
$49,922 median income
Grove City, MN
$49,922 median income
Parowan, UT
$49,934 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Blytheville, AR Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Blytheville, AR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 35.8% 58.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.8% White 35.8% Black or African American 58.1% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.3% Two or more races 3.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Blytheville compares to nearby Arkansas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Blytheville (this city) 13,026 $49,928
Mountain Home 13,021 $42,103
Harrison 13,217 $40,568
Forrest City 12,826 $33,522
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AR FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Blytheville, AR?

What is the population of Blytheville, AR? +

The population of Blytheville, AR stands at 13,026 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Blytheville, AR? +

In Blytheville, the typical household earns $49,928 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Blytheville? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Blytheville; the closest available measure is the Arkansas state average, a cost of living index of 86.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Arkansas vary by metro area.

Is Blytheville, AR safe? +

Blytheville has a total crime rate of 5779.5 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Blytheville, AR? +

A typical home in Blytheville is worth $101,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Blytheville? +

Climate normals put Blytheville's yearly average temperature at 60.7°F, 51.6 inches of precipitation, and 2.9 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

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

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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.