City profile · Arkansas · Census ACS 2023

Malvern, AR

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

10,938
Residents
$40,602
Median income
$95,500
Median home
$880
Median rent (state)

Malvern - the verdict

Malvern ranks in the 8th percentile for household income and the 15th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

8th
percentile, household income
8th
percentile, home value
3rd
percentile, median rent
15th
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: Malvern, AR

Malvern is a small town in Arkansas, home to 10,938 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $40,602 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.7%. Malvern's housing stock carries a median value of $95,500, and the median resident age is 38.3 years. 10.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 40.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 20% from five years earlier. Malvern's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3056.9 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Malvern's yearly average temperature at 61.3°F with 57.5 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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $880 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Arkansas's average monthly utility costs around $210 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 55.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

10,938 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arkansas

Median Household Income

$40,602 /yr

Poverty 16.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

86.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arkansas average

How does Malvern compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 8% pricier than other cities
Median rent 3% pricier than other cities
Safety 15% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Arkansas alone, Malvern ranks #131 of 160 Arkansas cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Malvern'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.

8thIncome percentile
15thSafety percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income · 15th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Malvern's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Malvern'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 39 Avg. percentile National median
Malvern'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 Malvern's home value compares nationally

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

$95,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 92% 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. Malvern $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 - Malvern, AR Malvern, AR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Malvern, 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 Malvern, AR median $40,602/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%
Malvern, 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 Malvern, AR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 40.2%

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

Population
10,938
Median Income
$40,602
Median Home Value
$95,500
Median Age
38.3
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Labor force participation
40.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3056.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
654.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2402.5
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
61.3°F
Annual Precipitation
57.5"
Annual Snowfall
1.2"

Schools

Total Schools
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
10,800 residents10,900 residents11,000 residents11,100 residents11,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,854 residents 11,144 residents ▲ +2.7%
Malvern's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 71
2021 0
2022 10
2023 6
2024 4

Permit volume decreased 20% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
84.0%
Carpool
10.9%
Public Transit
1.0%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
1.7%

Based on 3,647 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 Malvern 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
55.5 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arkansas

Magnolia
10,973 people
Batesville
11,385 people
Lowell
10,438 people
Camden
10,427 people
Arkadelphia
10,316 people
Greenwood
9,570 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Malvern's 10,938 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Little Ferry, NJ
10,942 people
Red Bank, SC
10,950 people
Lyndon, KY
10,956 people
Port Salerno, FL
10,957 people
Totowa, NJ
10,919 people
Clayton, CA
10,962 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Malvern's $40,602 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Post, TX
$40,606 median income
Kingston, OH
$40,609 median income
Bethel Springs, TN
$40,592 median income
Columbus, MS
$40,588 median income
Cecil, GA
$40,625 median income
Centralhatchee, GA
$40,625 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Malvern, 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 Malvern, AR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 60.8% 32.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.0% White 60.8% Black or African American 32.5% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 6.0% 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 Malvern 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
Malvern (this city) 10,938 $40,602
Magnolia 10,973 $42,188
Batesville 11,385 $54,424
Lowell 10,438 $92,986
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AR FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Malvern, AR?

What is the population of Malvern, AR? +

The population of Malvern, AR stands at 10,938 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Malvern is $40,602 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Malvern? +

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

Malvern has a total crime rate of 3056.9 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 Malvern, AR? +

Homes in Malvern carry a median value of $95,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Malvern? +

Climate normals put Malvern's yearly average temperature at 61.3°F, 57.5 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 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.