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CITY

Palestine

Arkansas · 476 residents (2025 est.) · 3.405 sq mi
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The short version

Palestine has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,090. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $67,900. The poverty rate of 27.6% is well above the national figure. 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 41.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 24%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
800
+8%since 2000
from 741 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
235 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 218 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.3
+13%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:476 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4725756797828861990201020202024Palestine
2024800
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,090
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,904 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,980
+45%since 2000
from $14,462 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
30.4%
+26.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.6%
+10.5 ptssince 2000
from 17.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.464
+11%since 2010
from 0.418 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Transportation & warehousing12.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Information4.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade3.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Wholesale trade0.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$67,900
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$758
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $388 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
65.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 65.9% in 2000
34.8% rent
Vacancy rate
4.2%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.9%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
66.3%
+24.6 ptssince 2009
from 41.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
−5%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
25
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palestine on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86%(637)
Black13.1%(97)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score29.2%(216)
2024
White, non-Hispanic84.5%(676)
Black9.4%(75)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other6.1%(49)
Diversity Score34.2%(273)
Diversity Score
34
+17%since 2000
from 29 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.6%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.6%
+20.4 ptssince 2000
from 70.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.1 min
−25%since 2000
from 18.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
90.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 89.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.8%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.0%
+3.0 ptssince 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
9.4%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2011
from 3.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.4%
+3.4 ptssince 2011
from 63.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.2%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 21.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
45.4%
−10.9 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 43.5% in 2009
Female
53.1%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 56.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.4%
−36.0 ptssince 2009
from 40.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2012
from 20.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.0%
−63.5 ptssince 2013
from 72.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.9%
+47.5 ptssince 2017
from 36.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.3%
−2.7 ptssince 2016
from 2.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Palestine

Attapulgus
Pop 442
Alapaha
Pop 494
Wiscon
Pop 499
Capitola
Pop 375
Places similar to Palestine
Head to head

Compare Palestine to nearby cities

PALESTINE VS
Forrest City
Income$35,689−1%
Home value$92,000+35%
Population12,308+2486%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALESTINE VS
Helena-West Helena
Income$36,019same
Home value$73,200+8%
Population8,216+1626%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALESTINE VS
West Memphis
Income$42,674+18%
Home value$120,100+77%
Population23,336+4803%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALESTINE VS
Marion
Income$78,330+117%
Home value$212,400+213%
Population13,378+2711%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Palestine, Arkansas?

Palestine, Arkansas has about 800 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palestine, Arkansas?

The typical household in Palestine, Arkansas earns about $36,090 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Palestine, Arkansas expensive?

In Palestine, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $67,900, and the typical rent is about $758 a month.

How educated are people in Palestine, Arkansas?

About 10.6% of adults age 25 and over in Palestine, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Palestine, Arkansas?

About 27.6% of people in Palestine, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Palestine, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Palestine, Arkansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 99 residents, a change of about 14 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 →