Sebastian
Arkansas

What stands out

Three things set Sebastian County apart from the other 3,142 counties: rainfall is in the top 6% of American counties (56 inches a year), homeownership is in the bottom 8% of American counties (60%), and violent crime is in the top 13% of American counties (4.7 per 1,000). Within Arkansas it ranks 11th of 75 counties for rainfall.

Where you are

You live in Sebastian County, Arkansas. 128,184 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -286).

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 $54,047 a year, lower than 69% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $55,173. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 62% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 18 minutes each way.

Arkansas takes 3.6% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,920 a year.

Home

The median home costs $206K, cheaper than 60% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $811 a month. Property tax is 0.68% of home value, roughly $1,060 a year on that median home, lower than 67% of American counties. 60% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than 87% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.2 years, shorter than 68% of American counties. There are 496 active physicians in the county, about 38.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.5 of 5 stars. 13.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.94 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 67% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 35 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 63°F, highs near 75 and lows near 51, warmer than 77% of American counties. About 56 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 84 out of 100, riskier than 84% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 276 Mbps down, faster than 87% 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 brewery, 4 museums, 1 National Park Service site.