County · Arkansas
Van Buren County, Arkansas
Van Buren County, Arkansas. Van Buren County had 16,238 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.8% since 2020, slower than Arkansas (+3.4%). It holds 6 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 05141.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,238
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,796 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,998
Median household income
$50,354
±$5,963 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $60,773
Median home value
$135,700
±$14,910 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $188,000
Median gross rent
$722
±$120 (90% margin)
Arkansas: $947
How many people live in Van Buren County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 15,796 residents in Van Buren County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,238 for July 1, 2025, up 2.8% since 2020, slower than Arkansas (+3.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 15,998 over 710 square miles of land.
| Measure | Van Buren County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,998 | 3,049,391 | −644 |
| Households | 7,432±318 | 1,205,987 | +619 |
| Average household size | 2.13±0.09 | 2.46 | −0.28 |
| Housing units | 9,725±26 | 1,394,673 | −763 |
Van Buren County's population since 2000
From 16,192 in 2000 to 16,238 in 2025: up 0.3%. 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 Van Buren County?
Van Buren County holds 6 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Clinton with 2,511 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Clinton | 2,509 | $42,946 |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Bay | 2,108 | $56,594 |
| DennardGEOID 0518340 | 496 | not published |
| Bee BranchGEOID 0504630 | 293 | $76,205 |
| Shirley | 248 | $37,344 |
| Damascus | 382 | $57,500 |
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 Van Buren County?
The median resident of Van Buren County is 49.6 years old; 19.2% are under 18 and 27.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.4%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Van Buren County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.6±0.6 | 38.5 | +1.6 |
| Under 18 years | 19.2%±0.4 pts | 23.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 27.1%±0.6 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.4% | 9.0% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.6%±0.8 pts | 67.4% | −1.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 14.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.5 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 | 3.4%±0.9 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.3%±1.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.1%±1.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 24.6%±2.4 pts | 18.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.2%±1.8 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.3%±3.4 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.0%±2.3 pts | 25.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.3%±1.4 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±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 Van Buren County earn?
Half of Van Buren County's 7,432 households earn less than $50,354 a year (±$5,963), against $60,773 in Arkansas. In 2015-2019 it was $47,380 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Van Buren County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,354±$5,963 | $60,773 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $62,356±$4,141 | $84,759 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,312±$1,979 | $34,225 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.1%±3.4 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.2%±8.9 pts | 21.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.7%±2.5 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.5%±3.7 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 Van Buren County?
Owners occupy 77.9% of Van Buren County's occupied homes and renters 22.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $135,700 by its owner (±$14,910). The median renter pays $722 a month including utilities, and 37.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Van Buren County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $135,700±$14,910 | $188,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $722±$120 | $947 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.5%±10.8 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,201±$101 | $1,345 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.9%±3.5 pts | 66.4% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,725±26 | 1,394,673 | −763 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9%±1.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.9%±2.6 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.3%±3.7 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 20.1%±3.3 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.9%±0.8 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.8%±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 Van Buren County building?
Builders took permits for 6 new housing units across Van Buren County in 2025 (6 single-family), 0.4 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 Van Buren County get to work?
74.6% of Van Buren County's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Van Buren County | Arkansas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 44.5%±3.1 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±1.5 pts | 4.9% | −3.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 74.6%±5.5 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.7%±4.6 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±1.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3%±2.9 pts | 8.8% | +3.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.2 min±4.4 | 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 Van Buren County's census tracts?
Van Buren County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,450 (Tract 4602) to $56,944 (Tract 4604).
| Tract 460105141460100 | 3,796±507 | $50,617 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 460205141460200 | 3,358±371 | $35,450 |
| Tract 4603.0105141460301 | 1,643±223 | $46,528 |
| Tract 4603.0305141460303 | 1,544±205 | $56,172 |
| Tract 4603.0405141460304 | 1,925±276 | $51,429 |
| Tract 460405141460400 | 3,732±419 | $56,944 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Van Buren County compare with Arkansas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 48th of 75 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 24th of 75 |
| Residents per square mile | 49th of 75 |
| Median household income | 43rd of 75 |
| Median home value | 38th of 75 |
| Median gross rent | 47th of 75 |
| Poverty rate | 35th of 75 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 50th of 75 |
| Median age | 5th 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 Van Buren 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.