County · Arkansas
Phillips County, Arkansas
Phillips County, Arkansas. Phillips County had 14,255 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 13.7% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. It holds 8 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 05107.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,255
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,568 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,450
Median household income
$40,134
±$4,740 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $60,773
Median home value
$78,200
±$15,001 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $188,000
Median gross rent
$737
±$84 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $947
How many people live in Phillips County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 16,568 residents in Phillips County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,255 for July 1, 2025, down 13.7% since 2020, while Arkansas grew 3.4%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 15,450 over 690 square miles of land.
| Measure | Phillips County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,450 | 3,049,391 | −3,156 |
| Households | 6,023±273 | 1,205,987 | −1,462 |
| Average household size | 2.53±0.11 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,355±20 | 1,394,673 | −1,856 |
Phillips County's population since 2000
From 26,445 in 2000 to 14,255 in 2025: down 46.1%. 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 Phillips County?
Phillips County holds 8 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Helena-West Helena with 8,216 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Helena-West Helena | 9,519 | $36,019 |
|---|---|---|
| Marvell | 855 | $51,875 |
| ElaineGEOID 0520950 | 509 | $29,792 |
| Lake View | 327 | $27,857 |
| Poplar GroveGEOID 0556690 | 215 | not published |
| LexaGEOID 0539670 | 207 | $45,089 |
| MellwoodGEOID 0545110 | 21 | not published |
| OneidaGEOID 0552280 | 13 | 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 Phillips County?
The median resident of Phillips County is 40.9 years old; 26.2% are under 18 and 20.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 60.2%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 32.9%.
| Measure | Phillips County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9±1.2 | 38.5 | +2.0 |
| Under 18 years | 26.2%±0.4 pts | 23.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.7%±0.2 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% | 9.0% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 32.9%±0.6 pts | 67.4% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 60.2%±1.8 pts | 14.6% | −3.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±1.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±1.6 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±1.2 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.9%±1.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.5%±1.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 24.9%±3.2 pts | 18.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6%±2.1 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.8%±3.1 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.0%±2.7 pts | 25.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5%±1.2 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±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 Phillips County earn?
Half of Phillips County's 6,023 households earn less than $40,134 a year (±$4,740), against $60,773 in Arkansas. In 2015-2019 it was $36,084 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 29.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Phillips County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $40,134±$4,740 | $60,773 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $54,873±$4,811 | $84,759 | – |
| Per capita income | $22,343±$1,567 | $34,225 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 29.3%±3.4 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 38.5%±6.9 pts | 21.1% | −17.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 32.1%±3.8 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 79.3%±4.0 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 Phillips County?
Owners occupy 51.2% of Phillips County's occupied homes and renters 48.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $78,200 by its owner (±$15,001). The median renter pays $737 a month including utilities, and 52.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Phillips County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $78,200±$15,001 | $188,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $737±$84 | $947 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 52.8%±9.6 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,156±$113 | $1,345 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51.2%±4.4 pts | 66.4% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,355±20 | 1,394,673 | −1,856 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 7.9%±3.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.7%±2.0 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.4%±3.4 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.1%±1.9 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.5%±2.0 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 Phillips County building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Phillips County in 2025 (0 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 Phillips County get to work?
75.6% of Phillips County's workers drive alone and 4.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 14.5%.
| Measure | Phillips County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.6%±3.6 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 14.5%±4.3 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.6%±5.9 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.3%±4.9 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.8 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 3.8%±2.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.1%±2.0 pts | 8.8% | +2.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.9 min±2.7 | 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 Phillips County's census tracts?
Phillips County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $23,043 (Tract 4804) to $66,538 (Tract 4802.02).
| Tract 480105107480100 | 2,392±319 | $54,583 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4802.0105107480201 | 2,228±368 | $51,667 |
| Tract 4802.0205107480202 | 1,963±271 | $66,538 |
| Tract 480305107480300 | 4,402±529 | $37,865 |
| Tract 480405107480400 | 1,571±265 | $23,043 |
| Tract 480505107480500 | 1,756±412 | $30,685 |
| Tract 480605107480600 | 1,138±236 | $33,971 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Phillips County compare with Arkansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 50th of 75 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 75th of 75 |
| Residents per square mile | 43rd of 75 |
| Median household income | 72nd of 75 |
| Median home value | 74th of 75 |
| Median gross rent | 41st of 75 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd of 75 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 50th of 75 |
| Median age | 42nd 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 Phillips 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.