Searcy
Arkansas

What stands out

Against every county in America, Searcy County is unusual in three ways: violent crime is in the top 4% of American counties (5.1 per 1,000), population growth is in the bottom 7% of American counties (-1.3% a year), and the median household income is in the bottom 8% of American counties ($42,063). Within Arkansas it ranks 13th of 75 counties for violent crime.

Where you are

You live in Searcy County, Arkansas. 7,880 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -21).

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 $42,063 a year, lower than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $36,776. Unemployment runs 4.5%, higher than 81% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Arkansas takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,476 a year.

Home

The median home costs $196K, cheaper than 64% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $658 a month. Property tax is 0.44% of home value, roughly $476 a year on that median home, lower than 92% of American counties. 73% 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. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 73.6 years, shorter than 74% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 6.3 per 10,000 people. 12.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.31 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 81% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 69 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 64% 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 59°F, highs near 71 and lows near 48, warmer than 65% of American counties. About 49 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 24 out of 100, safer than 75% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 218 Mbps down, faster than 59% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 National Park Service site.