City profile · Arkansas · Census ACS 2023

Fordyce, AR

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

3,320
Residents
$43,056
Median income
$92,500
Median home
$880
Median rent (state)

Fordyce - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Fordyce lands in the 11th percentile for household income and the 7th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

11th
percentile, household income
7th
percentile, home value
3rd
percentile, median rent
7th
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: Fordyce, AR

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,320 residents in Fordyce, a small town within Arkansas. Median household income here is $43,056 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 12.3%. Fordyce's housing stock carries a median value of $92,500, and the median resident age is 37.7 years. Educational attainment runs 8.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 49.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. Fordyce's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4154.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 61.7°F with 57.6 inches of precipitation per year and 1.2 inches of snowfall.

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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $880 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $210 across Arkansas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 9.5 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

3,320 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arkansas

Median Household Income

$43,056 /yr

Poverty 12.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

86.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arkansas average

How does Fordyce compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 11% higher than other cities
Home value 7% pricier than other cities
Median rent 3% pricier than other cities
Safety 7% 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, Fordyce ranks #145 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

Each percentile compares Fordyce 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 Fordyce near the bottom of Arkansas's cities

Among the 524 Arkansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Fordyce ranks #277 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Fordyce only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#308 of 495
38th percentile in Arkansas
Median Gross Rent
#277 of 524
0th percentile in Arkansas
Median Home Value
#309 of 482
36th percentile in Arkansas
Poverty Rate
#283 of 524
45th percentile in Arkansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#392 of 524
24th 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.

11thIncome percentile
7thSafety percentile

11th percentile nationally for median household income · 7th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Fordyce's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Fordyce'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
Fordyce'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 Fordyce's home value compares nationally

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

$92,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 93% 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%). 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. Fordyce $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 - Fordyce, AR Fordyce, AR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Fordyce, 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 Fordyce, AR median $43,056/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%
Fordyce, 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 Fordyce, AR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 8.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 49.4%

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

Population
3,320
Median Income
$43,056
Median Home Value
$92,500
Median Age
37.7
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Labor force participation
49.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
8.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4154.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
786.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3368.0
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
57.6"
Annual Snowfall
1.2"

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 →
3,100 residents3,200 residents3,300 residents3,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,374 residents 3,141 residents ▼ -6.9%
Fordyce's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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 1
2020 0
2021 1
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.9%
Carpool
7.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.7%
Work from Home
0.0%
Other
3.8%

Based on 1,308 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 Fordyce 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
9.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arkansas

Paris
3,287 people
Waldron
3,370 people
Pottsville
3,201 people
Corning
3,169 people
Alexander
3,488 people
Marianna
3,502 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Fordyce's 3,320 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Haworth, NJ
3,321 people
Circle D-KC Estates, TX
3,321 people
Williams, AZ
3,322 people
Ohioville, PA
3,322 people
Weaver, AL
3,323 people
Welsh, LA
3,323 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Fordyce's $43,056 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Willow Creek, CA
$43,056 median income
Commerce, TX
$43,051 median income
Coalton, OH
$43,064 median income
Badin, NC
$43,068 median income
East Brewton, AL
$43,070 median income
Arma, KS
$43,073 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Fordyce, 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 Fordyce, AR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 32.0% 63.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.0% White 32.0% Black or African American 63.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 3.7% 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 Fordyce 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
Fordyce (this city) 3,320 $43,056
Paris 3,287 $48,789
Waldron 3,370 $41,028
Pottsville 3,201 $66,761
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AR FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Fordyce, AR?

What is the population of Fordyce, AR? +

3,320 people live in Fordyce, AR according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Fordyce, the typical household earns $43,056 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Fordyce? +

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

Fordyce has a total crime rate of 4154.9 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 Fordyce, AR? +

A typical home in Fordyce is worth $92,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Fordyce? +

Climate normals put Fordyce's yearly average temperature at 61.7°F, 57.6 inches of precipitation, and 1.2 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

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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.