Population
Arkansas has a population of 3,042,000 as of 2026, making it the #33 most populous state in the United States.
Arkansas Rankings
Where Arkansas places in every state-level dataset StatsPanda tracks. Each row opens the full ranking.
Arkansas Population Clock
These statistics show the estimated changes to Arkansas's population based on birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns from US Census Bureau data.
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One death every — seconds
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| Arkansas Population (as of 7/14/2026) | 3,042,000 |
| Births per day | 85 |
| Deaths per day | 70 |
| Net migrations per day | 10 |
| Net population change per day | +25 |
| Population change since Jan 1st | — |
Demographics
The racial composition of Arkansas includes 72.66% White, 15.13% Black or African American, 1.57% Asian, 2.97% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
Population by Race
Why is Hispanic separate? Following U.S. Census methodology, Hispanic or Latino origin is an ethnicity, not a race — people of Hispanic origin may be of any race. “All” shows the racial breakdown; the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic views show ethnicity, so the two groupings overlap rather than adding up to 100%.
| Race | Population ↓ | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 2,210,300 | 72.66% |
| Black or African American | 460,223 | 15.13% |
| Two or more races | 205,049 | 6.74% |
| Other race | 90,476 | 2.97% |
| Asian | 47,779 | 1.57% |
| Native American | 16,970 | 0.56% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 11,203 | 0.37% |
Arkansas Marital Status
Population by Age and Gender
Median Age
Geography
Arkansas has seen steady population growth in recent years. According to the latest census data from 2020, there were 3,011,524 people living in Arkansas, up 3.3% from 2,915,918 in the 2010 census. This ranks Arkansas 33rd among US states in terms of population size. When looking at population change over the past decade, Arkansas saw a net increase of 95,606 residents. The state has also become increasingly urbanized, with over half the population now residing in the Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville metropolitan areas. Key demographic trends in Arkansas include an aging population, increased racial and ethnic diversity, and continued economic challenges in rural areas of the state. Evaluating the latest census statistics provides helpful context on the shifting social and economic landscape across Arkansas over the past ten years.
Economics and Income Statistics
Arkansas's average per capita income is $31,868. Household income levels show a median of $56,335. The poverty rate stands at 16.23%.
Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
| Name | Median ↓ | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Married Families | $71,437 | $91,439 |
| Families | $71,437 | $94,297 |
| Households | $56,335 | — |
| Non Families | $31,985 | $45,419 |
Income & Poverty
Largest Cities in Arkansas
The largest city in Arkansas is Little Rock with a population of 197,312.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | 197,312 |
| 2 | Fort Smith | 88,733 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | 86,751 |
| 4 | Springdale | 81,716 |
| 5 | Jonesboro | 77,647 |
| 6 | Rogers | 68,471 |
| 7 | Conway | 67,391 |
| 8 | North Little Rock | 66,327 |
| 9 | Bentonville | 54,909 |
| 10 | Pine Bluff | 42,430 |
Population by County
Arkansas's population shows distinct regional patterns, with the most populous counties concentrated in metropolitan areas. The most dramatic growth is occurring in suburban areas, while rural and some urban areas show more mixed trends.
Counties in Arkansas →Population by County
Population Growth by County
Population Density by County
Research Papers Related to Arkansas
Sources
Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
Detailed demographic and economic data for Arkansas.
Quick access to state-level statistics and comparisons.
Data Methodology
Population totals are sourced from the latest available US Census Bureau data. Totals for the current year are projected using each state's USCB data and previous year population growth rate. Growth rates are calculated based on births, deaths, and net migration estimates.