Baxter
Arkansas

What stands out

Three things set Baxter County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is in the bottom 9% of American counties (0.46%), the average commute is in the bottom 10% of American counties (16 minutes), and violent crime is in the top 12% of American counties (4.7 per 1,000). Within Arkansas it ranks 10th of 75 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Baxter County, Arkansas. 41,801 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +843).

Arkansas has been cutting its income tax rates every legislative session since 2015, and the top rate is now well under 4%. Home prices remain among the lowest in the country, especially outside Northwest Arkansas, where Walmart, Tyson and J.B. Hunt have built a fast-growing corporate corridor around Bentonville and Fayetteville. Tornado season is real across the whole state.

Money

The typical household here brings in $47,403 a year, lower than 84% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $45,036. Unemployment runs 3.6%, higher than 57% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 16 minutes each way.

Arkansas takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,674 a year.

Home

The median home costs $236K, pricier than 51% of American counties, about 2.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $784 a month. Property tax is 0.46% of home value, roughly $722 a year on that median home, lower than 91% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than 88% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.5 years, shorter than 65% of American counties. There are 116 active physicians in the county, about 27.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 12.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.02 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 59% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 53 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 61% of eligible voters turned out. Under Arkansas law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 60°F, highs near 72 and lows near 48, warmer than 66% of American counties. About 51 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 73 out of 100, riskier than 74% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 242 Mbps down, faster than 70% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.