City profile · Arkansas · Census ACS 2023

Emerson, AR

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

224
Residents
$73,036
Median income
$121,600
Median home
$903
Median rent (state)

Emerson - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Emerson places in the 54th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

54th
percentile, household income
18th
percentile, home value
5th
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: Emerson, AR

Arkansas's Emerson is a small town, with 224 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Emerson households earn a median of $73,036 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 27.7%. Home values in Emerson run a median of $121,600, and the median resident age is 29.6 years. Educational attainment runs 20.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 2 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Living costs in Arkansas run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Arkansas at 86.9 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $903 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $210 across Arkansas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 42.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

224 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arkansas

Median Household Income

$73,036 /yr

Poverty 27.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

86.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arkansas average

How does Emerson compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 54% higher than other cities
Home value 18% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% 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 Emerson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Arkansas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Arkansas-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Emerson toward the top of Arkansas's cities

Among the 524 Arkansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Emerson ranks #64 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Emerson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#64 of 495
87th percentile in Arkansas
Median Gross Rent
#244 of 524
53rd percentile in Arkansas
Median Home Value
#197 of 482
59th percentile in Arkansas
Poverty Rate
#64 of 524
87th percentile in Arkansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#126 of 524
76th percentile in Arkansas

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.

54thIncome percentile

54th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Emerson's home value compares nationally

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

$121,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 82% 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. Emerson $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 - Emerson, AR Emerson, AR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Emerson, 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 Emerson, AR median $73,036/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%
Emerson, 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 Emerson, AR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 27.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.7%

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

Population
224
Median Income
$73,036
Median Home Value
$121,600
Median Age
29.6
Poverty Rate
27.7%
Labor force participation
57.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.2%

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
280 residents285 residents290 residents295 residents 202020212022202320242025 291 residents 282 residents ▼ -3.1%
Emerson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
91.1%
Carpool
4.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
4.0%

Based on 101 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 Emerson sits in

Cost of Living Index
86.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$903/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
42.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arkansas

Bluff City
224 people
Sherrill
224 people
New Edinburg
223 people
Lonsdale
227 people
Widener
221 people
St. Francis
220 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Emerson's 224 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Koliganek, AK
224 people
Dillon Beach, CA
224 people
Jacob City, FL
224 people
Avera, GA
224 people
Sunny Side, GA
224 people
Seaton, IL
224 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Emerson's $73,036 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lowrey, OK
$73,036 median income
Belfast, PA
$73,036 median income
Blandburg, PA
$73,036 median income
Caroline, WI
$73,036 median income
Coal City, IL
$73,030 median income
Odessa, TX
$73,030 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Emerson, 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 Emerson, AR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 70.5% 9.4% 12.5% 7.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.5% White 70.5% Black or African American 9.4% Asian 0.0% American Indian 12.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 7.6% 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 Emerson 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
Emerson (this city) 224 $73,036
Bluff City 224 $39,063
Sherrill 224 $21,010
New Edinburg 223 $71,346
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Emerson, AR?

What is the population of Emerson, AR? +

Emerson, AR has a population of 224 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Emerson runs $73,036, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Emerson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Emerson; 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.

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

A typical home in Emerson is worth $121,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, 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

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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.