Lafayette
Arkansas

What stands out

Against every county in America, Lafayette County is unusual in three ways: the median home price is in the bottom 2% of American counties ($98K), violent crime is in the top 2% of American counties (5.3 per 1,000), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 3% of American counties (1.2 years of income). Within Arkansas it ranks 9th of 74 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lafayette County, Arkansas. 6,277 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +3).

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 $40,262 a year, lower than 93% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $40,224. Unemployment runs 4.8%, higher than 86% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

Arkansas takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,410 a year.

Home

The median home costs $98K, cheaper than 98% of American counties, about 1.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $694 a month. Property tax is 0.63% of home value, roughly $444 a year on that median home, lower than 74% of American counties. 77% 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 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 73.4 years, shorter than 76% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 4.8 per 10,000 people. 12.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.55 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 95% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 34 points. 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 66°F, highs near 77 and lows near 55, warmer than 85% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 30 out of 100, safer than 70% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 145 Mbps down, slower than 73% of American counties.