City · Arkansas
Mena, Arkansas
Mena, city, in Polk County, Arkansas. Mena had 5,607 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,589 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,582 (±30). GEOID 0545170.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,607
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,589 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,582 ±30
Median household income
$47,428
±$8,479 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $60,773
Median home value
$132,900
±$18,713 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $188,000
Median gross rent
$639
±$118 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $947
Where is Mena and what county is it in?
Mena is a city in Polk County, Arkansas. It covers 6.9 square miles of land, 805 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Mena, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,607 people lived in Mena on July 1, 2025, up 0.5% since 2020, slower than Arkansas (+3.4%). The 2020 Census counted 5,589 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,582 (±30).
| Measure | Mena | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,582 ±30 | 19,361 | no clear change |
| Households | 2,290 ±232 | 7,898 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.37 ±0.23 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,831 ±234 | 9,643 | no clear change |
Mena's population since 2000
From 5,637 in 2000 to 5,607 in 2025: down 0.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Mena as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Mena?
The median resident of Mena is 42.7 years old; 18.7% are under 18 and 20.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.3%.
| Measure | Mena | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 ±7.1 | 44.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.7% ±4.3 pts | 22.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.9% ±3.9 pts | 22.7% | – |
| Male | 47.4% ±2.9 pts | 48.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3% ±2.2 pts | 7.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.9% ±2.8 pts | 86.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7% ±1.8 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7% ±0.8 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3% ±1.9 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7% ±2.2 pts | 8.6% | – |
| With a disability | 27.9% ±5.4 pts | 21.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.7% ±4.9 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.4% ±4.6 pts | 86.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.4% ±5.3 pts | 17.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.0% ±2.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.5% ±5.9 pts | 87.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.1% ±3.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Mena earn?
Half of Mena's 2,290 households earn less than $47,428 a year (±$8,479), against $49,191 in Polk County and $60,773 in Arkansas. In 2015-2019 it was $43,443 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mena | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,428 ±$8,479 | $49,191 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $64,525 ±$12,417 | $67,957 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,560 ±$5,433 | $28,986 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.9% ±5.0 pts | 15.9% | −21.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.1% ±7.9 pts | 21.8% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.7% ±6.5 pts | 12.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 90.5% ±5.2 pts | 89.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.7% ±5.0 pts | 79.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Mena?
Owners occupy 67.5% of Mena's occupied homes and renters 32.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $132,900 by its owner (±$18,713). The median renter pays $639 a month including utilities, and 13.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mena | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $132,900 ±$18,713 | $138,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $639 ±$118 | $711 | −$173 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 13.4% ±8.8 pts | 22.0% | −37.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,210 ±$99 | $1,164 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.5% ±8.2 pts | 78.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 32.5% ±8.2 pts | 21.1% | – |
| Housing units | 2,831 ±234 | 9,643 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.5% ±9.9 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.3% ±6.7 pts | 75.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.8% ±5.4 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.6% ±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.2% ±4.9 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.8% ±5.5 pts | 6.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Mena building?
Builders took permits for 4 new housing units in Mena in 2025 (4 in single-family houses), 0.7 per 1,000 residents against 5.0 across Arkansas.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Mena work and get to work?
79.5% of Mena's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 15.8 minutes.
| Measure | Mena | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.5% ±5.6 pts | 54.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.4% ±6.8 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5% ±7.2 pts | 76.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.4% ±5.6 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.8 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 4.3% ±3.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.4% ±2.2 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.8 min ±3.6 | 21.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Mena?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Mena, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $45,263 (Tract 9504) to $62,297 (Tract 9502.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9504Polk County | 2,967 | $45,263 |
| Tract 9502.01Polk County | 2,265 | $62,297 |
| Tract 9502.02Polk County | 3,297 | $47,181 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Mena) · Census block assignment files
How does Mena compare with other places in Arkansas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Mena is the 4,588th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 63rd-most populous of 500 in Arkansas.
Mena ranks 125th of 194 places in Arkansas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 63rd | 500 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 103rd | 182 |
| Residents per square mile | 77th | 197 |
| Median household income | 125th | 194 |
| Per capita income | 97th | 197 |
| Median home value | 113th | 193 |
| Median gross rent | 162nd | 186 |
| Poverty rate | 129th | 172 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 94th | 189 |
| Median age | 42nd | 196 |
| Owner-occupied share | 74th | 197 |
| Travel time to work | 180th | 197 |
Mena's figures with every place in Arkansas (CSV)
Every place in Arkansas, sortable · Compare Mena with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Mena?
17 of the 57 figures for Mena on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Mena are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Mena.