Montgomery
Arkansas

What stands out

If you had to describe Montgomery County in numbers, start here: the average commute is in the top 2% of American counties (35 minutes), rainfall is in the top 2% of American counties (62 inches a year), and the property tax rate is in the bottom 5% of American counties (0.39%). Within Arkansas it ranks 1st of 35 counties for the average commute.

Where you are

You live in Montgomery County, Arkansas. 8,555 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +163).

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 $47,103 a year, lower than 84% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $36,741. Unemployment runs 4.8%, higher than 86% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 35 minutes each way.

Arkansas takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,663 a year.

Home

The median home costs $221K, cheaper than 55% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $594 a month. Property tax is 0.39% of home value, roughly $492 a year on that median home, lower than 95% of American counties. 80% 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 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 72.7 years, shorter than 82% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 3.5 per 10,000 people. 13.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.81 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 79% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 60 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 54% 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 62°F, highs near 74 and lows near 51, warmer than 74% of American counties. About 62 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 20 out of 100, safer than 80% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 88 Mbps down, slower than 91% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.