Monroe
Arkansas

What stands out

What stands out about Monroe County: the median home price is among the cheapest in America ($84K), the school test score is among the lowest in America (2.08 where 3.0 is grade level), and the share working from home is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1%). Within Arkansas it ranks 4th of 74 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Monroe County, Arkansas. 6,787 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -8).

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 $41,786 a year, lower than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,633. Unemployment runs 4.4%, higher than 80% of American counties. 1% of workers work from home.

Arkansas takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,466 a year.

Home

The median home costs $84K, cheaper than almost every county in America, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $603 a month. Property tax is 0.50% of home value, roughly $422 a year on that median home, lower than 88% of American counties. 64% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 96% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 69.3 years, shorter than 97% of American counties. There are 7 active physicians in the county, about 10.3 per 10,000 people. 10.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.16 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 Republican by 14 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 64°F, highs near 74 and lows near 55, warmer than 81% of American counties. About 47 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 62 out of 100, riskier than 62% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 152 Mbps down, slower 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.