City profile · Arkansas · Census ACS 2023

Jonesboro, AR

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

79,187
Residents
$52,559
Median income
$213,400
Median home
$1,040
Median rent (state)

Jonesboro - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Jonesboro places in the 24th percentile for household income and the 9th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
46th
percentile, home value
23rd
percentile, median rent
9th
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: Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas's Jonesboro is a small city, with 79,187 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $52,559 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.1%. Typical homes in Jonesboro are valued around $213,400, and the median resident age is 33.7 years. Educational attainment runs 29.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 760 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 15% from five years earlier. Jonesboro's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3764.6 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 58.9°F with 52.0 inches of precipitation per year and 3.9 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Arkansas run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Arkansas scores 86.9 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,040 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $210 across Arkansas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 17.3 minutes, with 81.5% driving alone and 6.6% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 91.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

79,187 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arkansas

Median Household Income

$52,559 /yr

Poverty 16.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

86.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arkansas average

How does Jonesboro compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 46% pricier than other cities
Median rent 23% pricier than other cities
Safety 9% 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, Jonesboro ranks #141 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 Jonesboro against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Arkansas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Arkansas-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Jonesboro's strongest outlier among Arkansas cities

Among the 482 Arkansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Jonesboro ranks #39 - the 92nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Jonesboro only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#201 of 495
59th percentile in Arkansas
Median Gross Rent
#116 of 524
77th percentile in Arkansas
Median Home Value
#39 of 482
92nd percentile in Arkansas
Poverty Rate
#206 of 524
61st percentile in Arkansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#52 of 524
90th 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.

24thIncome percentile
9thSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 9th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Jonesboro's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Jonesboro'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 33 Avg. percentile National median
Jonesboro'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 Jonesboro's home value compares nationally

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

$213,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 54% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Jonesboro $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 - Jonesboro, AR Jonesboro, AR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, AR median $52,559/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%
Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, AR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.8%

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

Population
79,187
Median Income
$52,559
Median Home Value
$213,400
Median Age
33.7
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Labor force participation
57.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3764.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
719.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3044.7
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
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
52.0"
Annual Snowfall
3.9"

Schools

Total Schools
24
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
78,000 residents80,000 residents82,000 residents84,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 78,814 residents 83,296 residents ▲ +5.7%
Jonesboro's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
760
housing units authorized
Single-Family
449
detached homes
Multifamily
311
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 663
2020 755
2021 868
2022 835
2023 809
2024 760

Permit volume increased 15% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.3 minutes
Drive Alone
81.5%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
6.6%

Based on 34,935 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 Jonesboro sits in

Cost of Living Index
86.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,040/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
91.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arkansas

Rogers
71,411 people
Springdale
87,388 people
Fort Smith
89,496 people
Conway
66,288 people
North Little Rock
64,504 people
Fayetteville
97,227 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Jonesboro's 79,187 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lynchburg, VA
79,255 people
Tustin, CA
79,035 people
Perris, CA
79,349 people
Upland, CA
78,940 people
Kissimmee, FL
79,504 people
Plymouth, MN
79,526 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Jonesboro's $52,559 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Windber, PA
$52,560 median income
Lavelle, PA
$52,557 median income
Bunnell, FL
$52,564 median income
Monon, IN
$52,569 median income
Beaver Dam, KY
$52,546 median income
Eupora, MS
$52,546 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, AR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 66.0% 22.8% 6.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.4% White 66.0% Black or African American 22.8% Asian 1.5% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 2.6% Two or more races 6.7% 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 Jonesboro 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
Jonesboro (this city) 79,187 $52,559
Rogers 71,411 $82,993
Springdale 87,388 $66,044
Fort Smith 89,496 $52,692
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AR FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Jonesboro, AR?

What is the population of Jonesboro, AR? +

Jonesboro, AR has a population of 79,187 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Jonesboro, the typical household earns $52,559 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Jonesboro? +

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

Jonesboro has a total crime rate of 3764.6 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 Jonesboro, AR? +

Jonesboro's median home value sits at $213,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Jonesboro? +

The average annual temperature in Jonesboro runs 58.9°F, 52.0 inches of precipitation, and 3.9 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

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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.