Phillips
Arkansas

What stands out

If you had to describe Phillips County in numbers, start here: the median home price is among the cheapest in America ($56K), violent crime is among the highest in America (5.4 per 1,000), and life expectancy is among the shortest in America (67.7 years). Within Arkansas it ranks 1st of 74 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Phillips County, Arkansas. 16,373 people live here with you. The population shrank 2.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -350).

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 $37,458 a year, lower than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,596. Unemployment runs 6.3%, higher than 97% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Arkansas takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,306 a year.

Home

The median home costs $56K, cheaper than almost every county in America, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $590 a month. Property tax is 0.60% of home value, roughly $442 a year on that median home, lower than 78% of American counties. 54% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than almost every county in America. Drug overdoses killed 24 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 67.7 years, shorter than almost every county in America. There are 15 active physicians in the county, about 9.2 per 10,000 people. 9.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.45 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 98% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 19 points. 46% 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 82% of American counties. About 50 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 65 out of 100, riskier than 65% of American counties; the county has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 155 Mbps down, slower than 69% of American counties. There are 14 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.