Chicot
Arkansas

What stands out

Three things set Chicot County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the typical two-bedroom rent is among the lowest in America ($388 a month), the school test score is among the lowest in America (2.20 where 3.0 is grade level), and population growth is among the fastest shrinking in America (-3.0% a year). Within Arkansas it ranks 2nd of 75 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Chicot County, Arkansas. 10,234 people live here with you. The population shrank 3.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -209).

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 $36,593 a year, lower than 96% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,395. Unemployment runs 6.2%, higher than 97% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Arkansas takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,274 a year.

Home

The median home costs $102K, cheaper than 97% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $388 a month. Property tax is 0.59% of home value, roughly $524 a year on that median home, lower than 78% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 98% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.0 years, shorter than 93% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 7.8 per 10,000 people. 11.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.25 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than almost every county in America. 80% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 12 points. 52% 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 66°F, highs near 76 and lows near 55, warmer than 84% of American counties. About 57 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 60 out of 100, riskier than 60% of American counties; the county has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 96 Mbps down, slower than 89% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.