Pulaski
Arkansas

What stands out

If you had to describe Pulaski County in numbers, start here: natural-hazard risk is in the top 5% of American counties (95 of 100), homeownership is in the bottom 6% of American counties (58%), and rainfall is in the top 11% of American counties (53 inches a year). Within Arkansas it ranks 1st of 75 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Pulaski County, Arkansas. 398,322 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -804).

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 $58,326 a year, lower than 57% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $63,505. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 53% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

Arkansas takes 3.6% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,078 a year.

Home

The median home costs $211K, cheaper than 59% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $972 a month. Property tax is 0.81% of home value, roughly $1,515 a year on that median home, lower than 55% of American counties. 58% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 58% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.3 years, shorter than 67% of American counties. There are 3,569 active physicians in the county, about 89.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.6 of 5 stars. 11.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.68 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 88% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 23 points. 59% 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 63°F, highs near 74 and lows near 53, warmer than 77% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 95 out of 100, riskier than 95% of American counties; the county has had 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 259 Mbps down, faster than 78% of American counties. There are 9 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 10 breweries, 4 museums, 1 National Park Service site.