City profile · Arkansas · Census ACS 2023

Ward, AR

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

6,367
Residents
$78,841
Median income
$182,100
Median home
$1,147
Median rent (state)

Ward - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Ward places in the 60th percentile for household income and the 50th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

60th
percentile, household income
37th
percentile, home value
32nd
percentile, median rent
50th
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: Ward, AR

Ward is a small town in Arkansas, home to 6,367 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Ward households earn a median of $78,841 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.3%. Ward's housing stock carries a median value of $182,100, and the median resident age is 30.0 years. About 21.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 68 residential building permits were authorized in Ward (Slowing), down 16% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Ward reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1350.6 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Arkansas run below the national norm: the state registers 86.9 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,147 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Arkansas run around $210, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 75.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

6,367 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Arkansas

Median Household Income

$78,841 /yr

Poverty 14.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

86.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Arkansas average

How does Ward compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 60% higher than other cities
Home value 37% pricier than other cities
Median rent 32% pricier than other cities
Safety 50% 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, Ward ranks #58 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 Ward 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 places Ward toward the top of Arkansas's cities

Among the 482 Arkansas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Ward ranks #78 - the 84th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Ward only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#52 of 495
89th percentile in Arkansas
Median Gross Rent
#55 of 524
80th percentile in Arkansas
Median Home Value
#78 of 482
84th percentile in Arkansas
Poverty Rate
#235 of 524
55th percentile in Arkansas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#106 of 524
79th 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.

60thIncome percentile
50thSafety percentile

60th percentile nationally for median household income · 50th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ward's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ward'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 59 Avg. percentile National median
Ward'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 Ward's home value compares nationally

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

$182,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 63% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Ward $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 - Ward, AR Ward, AR's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ward, 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 Ward, AR median $78,841/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%
Ward, 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 Ward, AR. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.0%

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

Population
6,367
Median Income
$78,841
Median Home Value
$182,100
Median Age
30.0
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Labor force participation
64.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1350.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
281.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1069.2
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
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,000 residents6,500 residents7,000 residents7,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,169 residents 7,258 residents ▲ +17.7%
Ward's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
68
housing units authorized
Single-Family
56
detached homes
Multifamily
12
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 81
2020 115
2021 122
2022 86
2023 90
2024 68

Permit volume decreased 16% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.5%
Carpool
11.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.3%
Work from Home
11.1%

Based on 3,060 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 Ward sits in

Cost of Living Index
86.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,147/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
75.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Arkansas

East End
6,344 people
De Queen
6,077 people
Osceola
6,807 people
Alma
5,879 people
Greenbrier
5,875 people
Cave Springs
5,778 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ward's 6,367 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Chickasaw, AL
6,367 people
Cherry Hills, CO
6,366 people
Avra Valley, AZ
6,364 people
Lebanon, KY
6,364 people
Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, MD
6,364 people
Nolanville, TX
6,372 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ward's $78,841 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Country Homes, WA
$78,841 median income
Evansville, WI
$78,841 median income
Larimore, ND
$78,846 median income
St. Mary's, CO
$78,854 median income
Duchesne, UT
$78,854 median income
Island Walk, FL
$78,857 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ward, 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 Ward, AR - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.6% White 88.8% Black or African American 3.1% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.6% Two or more races 4.6% 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 Ward 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
Ward (this city) 6,367 $78,841
East End 6,344 $77,122
De Queen 6,077 $50,979
Osceola 6,807 $40,783
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AR FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ward, AR?

What is the population of Ward, AR? +

6,367 people live in Ward, AR according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Ward households earn a median of $78,841 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ward? +

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

Ward has a total crime rate of 1350.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Ward, AR? +

A typical home in Ward is worth $182,100, 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

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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.