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CITY

Charleston

Arkansas · 2,760 residents (2025 est.) · 3.834 sq mi
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The short version

Charleston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,600. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $156,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,646
−11%since 2000
from 2,965 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
690 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 773 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.6
−1%since 2000
from 37.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,760 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K3K3K3K1990201020202024Charleston
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,600
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,824 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,303
+83%since 2000
from $14,912 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.7%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.9%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.378
+12%since 2010
from 0.337 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade22.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Information6.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing1.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$156,300
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$764
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $388 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 71.3% in 2000
27.8% rent
Vacancy rate
6.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.3%
−9.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.8%
+20.7 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
+44%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Charleston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95%(2,816)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(61)
Asian0.3%(10)
Other0%
Diversity Score6%(178)
2024
White, non-Hispanic83.6%(2,213)
Black0.8%(22)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(31)
Asian0.5%(14)
Other13.8%(366)
Diversity Score35.1%(930)
Diversity Score
35
+484%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.5%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.6%
+16.2 ptssince 2000
from 74.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.5%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
35.2 min
+83%since 2000
from 19.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.4%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 80.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.8%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.8%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.6%
−10.7 ptssince 2011
from 12.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
58.3%
−8.9 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.0%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.8%
−23.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.2%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Female
52.8%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.5%
−43.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2012
from 17.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.2%
−79.3 ptssince 2013
from 87.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.8%
+19.9 ptssince 2017
from 63.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 98.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 1.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Charleston to nearby cities

CHARLESTON VS
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Income$66,844+18%
Home value$182,900+17%
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CHARLESTON VS
Fort Smith
Income$54,816−3%
Home value$178,100+14%
Population90,855+3192%
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CHARLESTON VS
Van Buren
Income$61,149+8%
Home value$181,500+16%
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CHARLESTON VS
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Income$37,373−34%
Home value$164,800+5%
Population9,632+249%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Charleston, Arkansas?

Charleston, Arkansas has about 2,646 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Charleston, Arkansas?

The typical household in Charleston, Arkansas earns about $56,600 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Charleston, Arkansas expensive?

In Charleston, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $156,300, and the typical rent is about $764 a month.

How educated are people in Charleston, Arkansas?

About 21.5% of adults age 25 and over in Charleston, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Charleston, Arkansas?

About 9.9% of people in Charleston, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Charleston, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Charleston, Arkansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 518 residents, a change of about 24 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →