County · Arkansas
Craighead County, Arkansas
Craighead County, Arkansas. Craighead County had 116,957 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.1% since 2020, faster than Arkansas (+3.4%). It holds 11 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 22 census tracts. GEOID 05031.
Craighead County is one of the 2 counties of the Jonesboro, AR metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
116,957
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 111,231 · ACS 2020-2024: 113,249
Median household income
$59,548
±$3,493 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $60,773
Median home value
$210,400
±$6,913 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $188,000
Median gross rent
$958
±$24 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $947
How many people live in Craighead County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 111,231 residents in Craighead County. The Census Bureau estimates 116,957 for July 1, 2025, up 5.1% since 2020, faster than Arkansas (+3.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 113,249 over 707 square miles of land.
| Measure | Craighead County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 113,249 | 3,049,391 | +5,904 |
| Households | 44,437±650 | 1,205,987 | +3,062 |
| Average household size | 2.47±0.04 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 48,885±52 | 1,394,673 | +3,472 |
Craighead County's population since 2000
From 82,148 in 2000 to 116,957 in 2025: up 42.4%. 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 Craighead County?
Craighead County holds 11 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Jonesboro with 83,296 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Jonesboro | 78,576 | $55,424 |
|---|---|---|
| Brookland | 4,064 | $57,308 |
| Bono | 2,409 | $56,098 |
| Lake City | 2,326 | $60,273 |
| Bay | 1,876 | $59,769 |
| Monette | 1,506 | $54,167 |
| Caraway | 1,133 | $38,558 |
| Cash | 280 | $49,500 |
| Black OakGEOID 0506610 | 233 | $54,643 |
| EgyptGEOID 0520920 | 113 | $28,750 |
| BowmanGEOID 0508020 | 75 | 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 Craighead County?
The median resident of Craighead County is 34.5 years old; 25.2% are under 18 and 13.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 70.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 16.6%. 3.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Craighead County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.5±0.2 | 38.5 | +0.3 |
| Under 18 years | 25.2% | 23.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.9%±0.1 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.3% | 9.0% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 70.8%±0.6 pts | 67.4% | −5.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 16.6%±0.5 pts | 14.6% | +2.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±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 | 4.5%±0.8 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.7%±0.4 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.7%±0.5 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±0.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 19.5%±1.2 pts | 18.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.2%±1.1 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.2%±1.2 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.7%±1.8 pts | 25.7% | +3.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.8%±1.3 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2%±0.6 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 Craighead County earn?
Half of Craighead County's 44,437 households earn less than $59,548 a year (±$3,493), against $60,773 in Arkansas. In 2015-2019 it was $58,195 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Craighead County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,548±$3,493 | $60,773 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $85,050±$4,086 | $84,759 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,774±$1,464 | $34,225 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.1%±1.9 pts | 16.0% | +3.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 29.0%±3.9 pts | 21.1% | +6.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.8%±1.2 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.0%±1.6 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 Craighead County?
Owners occupy 60.1% of Craighead County's occupied homes and renters 39.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $210,400 by its owner (±$6,913). The median renter pays $958 a month including utilities, and 42.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Craighead County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $210,400±$6,913 | $188,000 | +$37,241 |
| Median gross rent | $958±$24 | $947 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.8%±4.3 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,368±$42 | $1,345 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.1%±1.6 pts | 66.4% | +3.0 pts |
| Housing units | 48,885±52 | 1,394,673 | +3,472 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4%±1.7 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.7%±1.6 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.5%±0.7 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.3%±0.7 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 Craighead County building?
Builders took permits for 973 new housing units across Craighead County in 2025 (580 single-family), 8.3 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 Craighead County get to work?
81.5% of Craighead County's workers drive alone and 6.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.6%.
| Measure | Craighead County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.3%±1.4 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6%±1.0 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.5%±1.7 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.6%±1.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.8%±1.3 pts | 8.8% | +4.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.6 min±0.6 | 22.5 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 are Craighead County's census tracts?
Craighead County is divided into 22 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $20,541 (Tract 6.02) to $122,813 (Tract 8.06).
All 22 census tracts of Craighead County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Craighead County compare with Arkansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 7th of 75 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 7th of 75 |
| Residents per square mile | 7th of 75 |
| Median household income | 10th of 75 |
| Median home value | 6th of 75 |
| Median gross rent | 8th of 75 |
| Poverty rate | 26th of 75 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5th of 75 |
| Median age | 71st 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 Craighead 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.