County · Arkansas
Baxter County, Arkansas
Baxter County, Arkansas. Baxter County had 42,982 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.2% since 2020, in line with Arkansas (+3.4%). It holds 12 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 05005.
Baxter County is the county of the Mountain Home, AR micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
42,982
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 41,627 · ACS 2020-2024: 42,407
Median household income
$48,452
±$3,456 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $60,773
Median home value
$174,600
±$8,342 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $188,000
Median gross rent
$846
±$37 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $947
How many people live in Baxter County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 41,627 residents in Baxter County. The Census Bureau estimates 42,982 for July 1, 2025, up 3.2% since 2020, in line with Arkansas (+3.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 42,407 over 554 square miles of land.
| Measure | Baxter County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 42,407 | 3,049,391 | +980 |
| Households | 19,348±450 | 1,205,987 | +913 |
| Average household size | 2.17±0.05 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 22,883±61 | 1,394,673 | no clear change |
Baxter County's population since 2000
From 38,386 in 2000 to 42,982 in 2025: up 12.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Baxter County?
Baxter County holds 12 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Mountain Home with 13,373 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Mountain Home | 12,825 | $41,274 |
|---|---|---|
| Gassville | 2,171 | $38,750 |
| Midway, Baxter County | 1,036 | $30,750 |
| Cotter | 886 | $35,792 |
| Lakeview | 775 | $66,786 |
| Salesville | 473 | $38,750 |
| Norfork | 465 | $32,167 |
| HendersonGEOID 0531270 | 309 | $43,767 |
| Briarcliff | 236 | $61,875 |
| Big FlatGEOID 0505980 | 88 | not published |
| GamalielGEOID 0525630 | 33 | not published |
| Buffalo CityGEOID 0509700 | 26 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Baxter County?
The median resident of Baxter County is 51.4 years old; 17.7% are under 18 and 31.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.3%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Baxter County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.4±0.5 | 38.5 | −0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 17.7%±0.1 pts | 23.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 31.0%±0.2 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% | 9.0% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.5%±0.7 pts | 67.4% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 14.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3%±0.7 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±0.5 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.0%±0.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.8%±1.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 25.5%±2.2 pts | 18.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.0%±1.3 pts | 9.0% | +1.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.7%±1.4 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.4%±1.9 pts | 25.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.4%±0.8 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.5%±1.1 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 Baxter County earn?
Half of Baxter County's 19,348 households earn less than $48,452 a year (±$3,456), against $60,773 in Arkansas. In 2015-2019 it was $52,009 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Baxter County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $48,452±$3,456 | $60,773 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $71,486±$5,610 | $84,759 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,488±$2,363 | $34,225 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.5%±2.1 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.2%±6.0 pts | 21.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.5%±1.3 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.2%±2.1 pts | 86.7% | – |
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 Baxter County?
Owners occupy 75.2% of Baxter County's occupied homes and renters 24.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $174,600 by its owner (±$8,342). The median renter pays $846 a month including utilities, and 41.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Baxter County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $174,600±$8,342 | $188,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $846±$37 | $947 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.4%±6.7 pts | 35.9% | +9.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,157±$58 | $1,345 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.2%±2.2 pts | 66.4% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 22,883±61 | 1,394,673 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0%±2.8 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.8%±2.0 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.2%±1.8 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.1%±0.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
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 Baxter County building?
Builders took permits for 80 new housing units across Baxter County in 2025 (69 single-family), 1.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Baxter County get to work?
75.7% of Baxter County's workers drive alone and 7.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | Baxter County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 43.8%±2.0 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3%±1.7 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.7%±3.2 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.6%±2.7 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±1.0 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.4%±1.7 pts | 8.8% | +4.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.4 min±1.9 | 22.5 min | +3.2 min |
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 are Baxter County's census tracts?
Baxter County is divided into 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,628 (Tract 9502) to $64,423 (Tract 9506).
| Tract 950105005950100 | 4,580±607 | $49,911 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950205005950200 | 4,969±555 | $36,628 |
| Tract 950305005950300 | 5,015±603 | $43,184 |
| Tract 950405005950400 | 3,527±507 | $46,650 |
| Tract 950505005950500 | 5,447±656 | $45,643 |
| Tract 950605005950600 | 3,850±402 | $64,423 |
| Tract 950705005950700 | 3,370±491 | $51,758 |
| Tract 9508.0105005950801 | 4,418±510 | $54,191 |
| Tract 9508.0205005950802 | 2,007±291 | $47,692 |
| Tract 950905005950900 | 5,224±487 | $46,934 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Baxter County compare with Arkansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 16th of 75 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 21st of 75 |
| Residents per square mile | 15th of 75 |
| Median household income | 52nd of 75 |
| Median home value | 15th of 75 |
| Median gross rent | 21st of 75 |
| Poverty rate | 57th of 75 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23rd of 75 |
| Median age | 2nd of 75 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Baxter County 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' school search.