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CITY

Chester

Arkansas · 149 residents (2025 est.) · 0.51 sq mi
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The short version

Chester has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $29,250. Population has fallen 23% since 2000, a loss of 23 residents. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. With a median age of 55.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 52% less than the Arkansas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 55.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
52% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
76
−23%since 2000
from 99 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
149 / sq mi
−23%since 2000
from 194 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
55.3
+77%since 2000
from 31.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:149 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
66961251541841990201020202024Chester
202476
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$29,250
−42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,476
+99%since 2000
from $11,269 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
18.2%
+18.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.7%
−19.2 ptssince 2000
from 38.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.481
+28%since 2010
from 0.377 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade23.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing9.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Information4.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median gross rent
$669
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $358 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
51.5%
−22.8 ptssince 2000
from 74.3% in 2000
48.5% rent
Vacancy rate
15.4%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.6%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
31.3%
+31.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic87.9%(87)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.5%(5)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.7%(72)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.3%(4)
Diversity Score12.5%(9)
Diversity Score
12
+127%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.5%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
75.4%
+34.0 ptssince 2000
from 41.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.6%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
36.6 min
+63%since 2000
from 22.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
90.5%
+42.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.5%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% 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
12.1%
+12.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
19.2%
−27.2 ptssince 2011
from 46.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
38.2%
+2.3 ptssince 2011
from 35.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
0.0%
−17.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
52.4%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 39.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
56.6%
−8.5 ptssince 2009
from 65.1% in 2009
Female
43.4%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 34.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.3%
−57.5 ptssince 2009
from 67.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
46.1%
+16.7 ptssince 2012
from 29.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.3%
−64.7 ptssince 2013
from 70.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
75.8%
+14.1 ptssince 2017
from 61.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Chester to nearby cities

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CHESTER VS
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CHESTER VS
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CHESTER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, Arkansas?

Chester, Arkansas has about 76 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chester, Arkansas?

The typical household in Chester, Arkansas earns about $29,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chester, Arkansas expensive?

In Chester, Arkansas, the typical rent is about $669 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, Arkansas?

About 11.5% of adults age 25 and over in Chester, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chester, Arkansas?

About 19.7% of people in Chester, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, Arkansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 18 residents, a change of about -19 percent over that period.

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

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