Desha
Arkansas

What stands out

If you had to describe Desha County in numbers, start here: population growth is among the fastest shrinking in America (-2.6% a year), the median home price is in the bottom 2% of American counties ($97K), and violent crime is in the top 2% of American counties (5.2 per 1,000). Within Arkansas it ranks 2nd of 75 counties for population growth, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Desha County, Arkansas. 11,285 people live here with you. The population shrank 2.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -235).

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 $38,067 a year, lower than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,354. Unemployment runs 5.3%, higher than 92% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Arkansas takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,329 a year.

Home

The median home costs $97K, cheaper than 98% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $574 a month. Property tax is 0.54% of home value, roughly $479 a year on that median home, lower than 84% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 98% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.5 years, shorter than 91% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 8.0 per 10,000 people. 13.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.42 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 97% of American counties. 79% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted almost evenly. 50% 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 65°F, highs near 75 and lows near 55, warmer than 83% of American counties. About 45 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 45 out of 100, safer than 55% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 114 Mbps down, slower than 84% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.