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CITY

Perla

Arkansas · 253 residents (2025 est.) · 0.963 sq mi
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The short version

Perla has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,500. Population has grown 23% since 2000. 7% 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 $87,500. At a median age of 32.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 32.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
141
+23%since 2000
from 115 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
146 / sq mi
−37%since 2009
from 234 / sq mi in 2009
US average: 281
Median age
32.5
−21%since 2000
from 41.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:253 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
941562182803421990201020202024Perla
2024141
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 53.5%(5)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 911.3%(16)
US avg: 6%
10 to 1416.3%(23)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 190%(0)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 249.9%(14)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 349.9%(14)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 446.4%(9)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 5415.6%(22)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6410.6%(15)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7412.1%(17)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 844.3%(6)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over0%(0)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,500
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $19,545 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,816
+35%since 2000
from $14,676 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
18.0%
+12.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
34.8%
+11.8 ptssince 2000
from 22.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.433
−6%since 2010
from 0.461 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade19%
US avg: 6.9%
Information14.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing11.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Retail trade9.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
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%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$87,500
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$665
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $400 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.0%
−27.0 ptssince 2000
from 75.0% in 2000
52.0% rent
Vacancy rate
49.0%
+49.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.8%
−16.1 ptssince 2009
from 37.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
34.6%
−25.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
−56%since 2009
from 4.2 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
59
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Perla on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic36.5%(42)
Black63.5%(73)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic34.8%(49)
Black29.8%(42)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other35.5%(50)
Diversity Score
83
+52%since 2009
from 55 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Ancestry
Irish27.7%(39)
German24.1%(34)
American2.8%(4)
Norwegian1.4%(2)
Scottish0.7%(1)
RANKED:Largest Irish population · Largest German population · Largest American population · Largest Norwegian population · Largest Subsaharan African population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.2%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
74.7%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 78.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.5 min
−21%since 2000
from 17.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.6%
−21.4 ptssince 2009
from 100.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
16.7%
+16.7 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
22.0%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
14.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 13.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.5%
+7.2 ptssince 2011
from 43.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.5%
−11.2 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
7.1%
−41.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
24.1%
−25.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
75.9%
+25.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.1%
−50.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
32.6%
+9.4 ptssince 2012
from 23.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.5%
−51.5 ptssince 2013
from 65.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.0%
+13.1 ptssince 2017
from 68.9% 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%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married35.5%(11)
Married38.7%(12)
Widowed3.2%(1)
Divorced22.6%(7)
Women 15+
Never married37.9%(25)
Married39.4%(26)
Widowed4.5%(3)
Divorced18.2%(12)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
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Compare Perla to nearby cities

PERLA VS
Malvern
Income$46,250−3%
Home value$104,500+19%
Population11,144+4305%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PERLA VS
Hot Springs
Income$47,760+1%
Home value$165,500+89%
Population37,979+14911%
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PERLA VS
Benton
Income$72,876+53%
Home value$212,700+143%
Population38,898+15275%
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PERLA VS
Hot Springs
Income$75,370+59%
Home value$272,000+211%
Population16,327+6353%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Perla, Arkansas?

Perla, Arkansas has about 141 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Perla, Arkansas?

The typical household in Perla, Arkansas earns about $47,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Perla, Arkansas expensive?

In Perla, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $87,500, and the typical rent is about $665 a month.

How educated are people in Perla, Arkansas?

About 7.2% of adults age 25 and over in Perla, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Perla, Arkansas?

About 34.8% of people in Perla, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Perla, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Perla, Arkansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 42 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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Perla, Arkansas: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy