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CITY

Cotter

Arkansas · 946 residents (2025 est.) · 2.447 sq mi
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The short version

Cotter has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,792. Population has grown 15% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $193,100. With a median age of 63.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 41% less than the Arkansas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 63.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 74%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,063
+15%since 2000
from 921 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
434 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 376 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
63.2
+48%since 2000
from 42.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:946 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8329321K1K1K1990201020202024Cotter
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,792
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,857 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,774
+56%since 2000
from $15,893 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
23.4%
+13.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.0%
−3.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.401
−6%since 2010
from 0.427 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance17.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical17.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services7.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Information4.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade2.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$193,100
+74%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$800
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $383 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.8%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 66.4% in 2000
29.2% rent
Vacancy rate
20.6%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
31.4%
+11.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.4
+103%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cotter on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96%(884)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(14)
Asian0.2%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.4%(40)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91%(967)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(17)
Asian0%(0)
Other7.4%(79)
Diversity Score20.8%(221)
Diversity Score
21
+376%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.1%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.9%
+12.3 ptssince 2000
from 79.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.6%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.9 min
+32%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.3%
+22.3 ptssince 2009
from 62.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.8%
−17.4 ptssince 2009
from 27.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.0%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% 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
0.6%
−12.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.2%
−18.2 ptssince 2011
from 19.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
36.2%
−17.8 ptssince 2011
from 54.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.0%
−36.3 ptssince 2009
from 66.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.0%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Female
56.0%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.8%
−43.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
28.5%
+5.1 ptssince 2012
from 23.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.9%
−70.6 ptssince 2013
from 79.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.2%
+18.9 ptssince 2017
from 76.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 98.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2016
from 1.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Cotter to nearby cities

COTTER VS
Mountain Home
Income$41,274+15%
Home value$169,800−12%
Population13,373+1314%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COTTER VS
Harrison
Income$44,056+23%
Home value$169,600−12%
Population13,802+1359%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COTTER VS
West Plains
Income$44,002+23%
Home value$169,900−12%
Population12,780+1251%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COTTER VS
Branson
Income$51,978+45%
Home value$251,000+30%
Population12,921+1266%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cotter, Arkansas?

Cotter, Arkansas has about 1,063 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cotter, Arkansas?

The typical household in Cotter, Arkansas earns about $35,792 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cotter, Arkansas expensive?

In Cotter, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $193,100, and the typical rent is about $800 a month.

How educated are people in Cotter, Arkansas?

About 16.1% of adults age 25 and over in Cotter, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cotter, Arkansas?

About 13.0% of people in Cotter, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cotter, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Cotter, Arkansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 196 residents, a change of about 23 percent over that period.

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

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