City profile · Arkansas · Census ACS 2023

Fayetteville, AR

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

97,227
Residents
$59,074
Median income
$322,500
Median home
$1,347
Median rent (state)

Fayetteville - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Fayetteville lands in the 34th percentile for household income and the 18th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

34th
percentile, household income
68th
percentile, home value
50th
percentile, median rent
18th
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: Fayetteville, AR

97,227 people live in Fayetteville, Arkansas - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Fayetteville households earn a median of $59,074 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.7%. Typical homes in Fayetteville are valued around $322,500, and the median resident age is 28.7 years. About 49.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 2,236 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 38% from five years earlier. Fayetteville's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2794.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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 $1,347 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 92.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

97,227 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arkansas

Median Household Income

$59,074 /yr

Poverty 10.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

86.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arkansas average

How does Fayetteville compare to other US cities?

Fayetteville measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 68% pricier than other cities
Median rent 50% pricier than other cities
Safety 18% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Arkansas, Fayetteville ranks #123 of 160 Arkansas cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison 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 Fayetteville'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.

34thIncome percentile
18thSafety percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income · 18th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fayetteville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fayetteville'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 31 Avg. percentile National median
Fayetteville'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 Fayetteville's home value compares nationally

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

$322,500 32nd percentile more affordable than 32% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Fayetteville $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 - Fayetteville, AR Fayetteville, AR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, AR median $59,074/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%
Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, AR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 49.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.1%

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

Population
97,227
Median Income
$59,074
Median Home Value
$322,500
Median Age
28.7
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Labor force participation
62.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
49.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2794.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
423.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2371.0
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.

Schools

Total Schools
17
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
90,000 residents95,000 residents100,000 residents105,000 residents110,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 94,779 residents 106,623 residents ▲ +12.5%
Fayetteville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
2,236
housing units authorized
Single-Family
679
detached homes
Multifamily
1,557
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
23
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,616
2020 866
2021 1,339
2022 1,042
2023 986
2024 2,236

Permit volume increased 38% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.2%
Carpool
8.8%
Public Transit
1.1%
Walk
2.2%
Work from Home
13.3%
Other
1.4%

Based on 50,296 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 Fayetteville sits in

Cost of Living Index
86.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,347/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arkansas

Fort Smith
89,496 people
Springdale
87,388 people
Jonesboro
79,187 people
Rogers
71,411 people
Conway
66,288 people
North Little Rock
64,504 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fayetteville's 97,227 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Portsmouth, VA
97,299 people
Orem, UT
97,048 people
Conroe, TX
96,976 people
Beaverton, OR
97,502 people
Yakima, WA
96,810 people
Suffolk, VA
96,638 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fayetteville's $59,074 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ossipee, NC
$59,076 median income
Quincy, MI
$59,079 median income
Daisetta, TX
$59,079 median income
Oak Bluffs, MA
$59,082 median income
Italy, TX
$59,082 median income
Newborn, GA
$59,083 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, AR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 75.6% 12.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.7% White 75.6% Black or African American 5.2% Asian 3.1% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 2.4% Two or more races 12.6% 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 Fayetteville 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
Fayetteville (this city) 97,227 $59,074
Fort Smith 89,496 $52,692
Springdale 87,388 $66,044
Jonesboro 79,187 $52,559
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AR FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fayetteville, AR?

What is the population of Fayetteville, AR? +

The population of Fayetteville, AR stands at 97,227 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Fayetteville households earn a median of $59,074 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fayetteville? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Fayetteville; 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 Fayetteville, AR safe? +

Fayetteville has a total crime rate of 2794.7 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 Fayetteville, AR? +

Homes in Fayetteville carry a median value of $322,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.