County · Arkansas
Desha County, Arkansas
Desha County, Arkansas. Desha County had 9,984 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 12.4% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. It holds 8 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 05041.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,984
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,395 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,786
Median household income
$37,662
±$4,562 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $60,773
Median home value
$90,900
±$7,736 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $188,000
Median gross rent
$718
±$57 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $947
How many people live in Desha County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,395 residents in Desha County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,984 for July 1, 2025, down 12.4% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,786 over 741 square miles of land.
| Measure | Desha County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,786 | 3,049,391 | −923 |
| Households | 4,610±207 | 1,205,987 | −594 |
| Average household size | 2.31±0.10 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,799±26 | 1,394,673 | −525 |
Desha County's population since 2000
From 15,341 in 2000 to 9,984 in 2025: down 34.9%. 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 Desha County?
Desha County holds 8 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Dumas with 3,476 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Dumas | 4,001 | $34,787 |
|---|---|---|
| McGehee | 3,849 | $36,875 |
| Arkansas CityGEOID 0501990 | 376 | $41,900 |
| MitchellvilleGEOID 0546190 | 293 | $40,313 |
| WatsonGEOID 0573550 | 185 | $30,139 |
| ReedGEOID 0558880 | 130 | $31,125 |
| HalleyGEOID 0529380 | 44 | not published |
| TillarGEOID 0569230 | 172 | $72,708 |
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 Desha County?
The median resident of Desha County is 41.6 years old; 24.9% are under 18 and 20.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 49.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 42.5%. 3.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Desha County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6±1.1 | 38.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.9% | 23.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.1%±0.1 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.2% | 9.0% | +1.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 42.5%±0.4 pts | 67.4% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 49.0%±0.5 pts | 14.6% | +2.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.7%±0.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.5%±1.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 22.2%±2.2 pts | 18.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.7%±1.4 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 77.9%±3.5 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.6%±2.6 pts | 25.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.4%±1.6 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±1.4 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 Desha County earn?
Half of Desha County's 4,610 households earn less than $37,662 a year (±$4,562), against $60,773 in Arkansas. In 2015-2019 it was $39,251 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 28.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Desha County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $37,662±$4,562 | $60,773 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $53,518±$4,082 | $84,759 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,568±$1,662 | $34,225 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 28.3%±4.8 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 39.0%±10.1 pts | 21.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.3%±3.8 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.0%±3.9 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 Desha County?
Owners occupy 56.8% of Desha County's occupied homes and renters 43.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $90,900 by its owner (±$7,736). The median renter pays $718 a month including utilities, and 40.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Desha County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $90,900±$7,736 | $188,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $718±$57 | $947 | +$109 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.1%±10.3 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $999±$124 | $1,345 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.8%±3.5 pts | 66.4% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,799±26 | 1,394,673 | −525 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.8%±2.1 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.7%±3.8 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.4%±2.6 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6%±1.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.2%±2.1 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 Desha County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Desha County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.2 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 Desha County get to work?
85.2% of Desha County's workers drive alone and 3.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.0%.
| Measure | Desha County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.2%±3.2 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0%±3.0 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 85.2%±3.8 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.2%±3.4 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.8%±1.6 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.8 min±2.4 | 22.5 min | +3.4 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 Desha County's census tracts?
Desha County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $20,625 (Tract 9503) to $43,750 (Tract 9505).
| Tract 950105041950100 | 1,413±242 | $40,948 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950205041950200 | 3,626±336 | $39,906 |
| Tract 950305041950300 | 1,271±247 | $20,625 |
| Tract 950405041950400 | 2,664±283 | $36,712 |
| Tract 950505041950500 | 1,812±275 | $43,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Desha County compare with Arkansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 58th of 75 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 74th of 75 |
| Residents per square mile | 62nd of 75 |
| Median household income | 74th of 75 |
| Median home value | 68th of 75 |
| Median gross rent | 50th of 75 |
| Poverty rate | 4th of 75 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 68th of 75 |
| Median age | 36th 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 Desha 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.