Hempstead
Arkansas

Where you are

You live in Hempstead County, Arkansas. 20,037 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -91).

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 $45,049 a year, lower than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $45,282. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 55% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home.

Arkansas takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,972 a year.

Home

The median home costs $124K, cheaper than 92% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $722 a month. Property tax is 0.50% of home value, roughly $521 a year on that median home, lower than 88% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 94% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.8 years, shorter than 61% of American counties. There are 13 active physicians in the county, about 6.5 per 10,000 people. 12.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.60 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 94% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 34 points. 45% 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 54, warmer than 82% of American counties. About 58 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 58 out of 100, riskier than 58% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 161 Mbps down, slower than 66% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 National Park Service site.