County · Arkansas
Ouachita County, Arkansas
Ouachita County, Arkansas. Ouachita County had 21,731 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.1% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. It holds 7 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 05103.
Ouachita County is one of the 2 counties of the Camden, AR micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,731
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 22,650 · ACS 2020-2024: 22,085
Median household income
$49,268
±$2,397 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $60,773
Median home value
$102,100
±$13,159 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $188,000
Median gross rent
$764
±$98 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $947
How many people live in Ouachita County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 22,650 residents in Ouachita County. The Census Bureau estimates 21,731 for July 1, 2025, down 4.1% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 22,085 over 733 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ouachita County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 22,085 | 3,049,391 | −1,745 |
| Households | 8,624±337 | 1,205,987 | −1,034 |
| Average household size | 2.52±0.10 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,869±57 | 1,394,673 | −1,226 |
Ouachita County's population since 2000
From 28,790 in 2000 to 21,731 in 2025: down 24.5%. 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 Ouachita County?
Ouachita County holds 7 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Camden with 10,127 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Camden | 10,612 | $49,361 |
|---|---|---|
| East Camden | 798 | $37,500 |
| Bearden | 776 | $29,750 |
| Stephens | 770 | $61,518 |
| ChidesterGEOID 0513750 | 253 | $24,265 |
| LouannGEOID 0541630 | 153 | $32,019 |
| ReaderGEOID 0558400 | 40 | 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 Ouachita County?
The median resident of Ouachita County is 43.8 years old; 22.2% are under 18 and 21.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 53.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 40.8%. 0.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ouachita County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8±0.6 | 38.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.2%±0.2 pts | 23.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.4%±0.2 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6% | 9.0% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 53.9%±0.3 pts | 67.4% | −1.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 40.8%±0.4 pts | 14.6% | −0.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| 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%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.6 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.9%±0.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.1%±1.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 26.8%±2.2 pts | 18.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.9%±1.7 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.7%±1.7 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.3%±2.1 pts | 25.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±1.3 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.7 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 Ouachita County earn?
Half of Ouachita County's 8,624 households earn less than $49,268 a year (±$2,397), against $60,773 in Arkansas. In 2015-2019 the median was $43,597 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,671 after inflation. 18.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ouachita County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,268±$2,397 | $60,773 | +$5,671 |
| Mean household income | $65,528±$5,050 | $84,759 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,803±$1,813 | $34,225 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.9%±2.7 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.7%±5.7 pts | 21.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.8%±2.9 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.5%±2.7 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 Ouachita County?
Owners occupy 70.9% of Ouachita County's occupied homes and renters 29.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $102,100 by its owner (±$13,159). The median renter pays $764 a month including utilities, and 42.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ouachita County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $102,100±$13,159 | $188,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $764±$98 | $947 | +$118 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.1%±9.1 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,076±$78 | $1,345 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.9%±3.5 pts | 66.4% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,869±57 | 1,394,673 | −1,226 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6%±1.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 12.8%±5.1 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.7%±2.9 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.8%±2.4 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.3%±1.6 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 Ouachita County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Ouachita County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.0 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 Ouachita County get to work?
83.3% of Ouachita County's workers drive alone and 4.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.2%.
| Measure | Ouachita County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.8%±2.7 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2%±1.8 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.3%±3.3 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.8%±2.6 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.6%±1.8 pts | 8.8% | +2.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.0 min±1.8 | 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 Ouachita County's census tracts?
Ouachita County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,723 (Tract 9506) to $57,679 (Tract 9503.02).
| Tract 9501.0105103950101 | 2,346±345 | $55,234 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9501.0205103950102 | 2,857±367 | $56,045 |
| Tract 950205103950200 | 2,089±372 | $42,879 |
| Tract 9503.0105103950301 | 1,770±302 | $43,125 |
| Tract 9503.0205103950302 | 2,846±488 | $57,679 |
| Tract 950405103950400 | 3,478±415 | $57,038 |
| Tract 950505103950500 | 3,193±437 | $49,697 |
| Tract 950605103950600 | 3,506±400 | $36,723 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ouachita County compare with Arkansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 29th of 75 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 56th of 75 |
| Residents per square mile | 28th of 75 |
| Median household income | 46th of 75 |
| Median home value | 60th of 75 |
| Median gross rent | 34th of 75 |
| Poverty rate | 37th of 75 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 41st of 75 |
| Median age | 23rd 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 Ouachita 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.