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CITY

Shirley

Arkansas · 249 residents (2025 est.) · 2.407 sq mi
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The short version

Shirley has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $37,344. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 68 residents. 21% 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 $103,100. With a median age of 48.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 39% less than the Arkansas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 48.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 42%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
269
−20%since 2000
from 337 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
112 / sq mi
−20%since 2000
from 140 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
48.8
+39%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:249 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1913625337048751990201020202024Shirley
2024269
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,344
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,958 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,151
+159%since 2000
from $10,096 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.3%
+27.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.5%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 23.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.437
+16%since 2010
from 0.375 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade7.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance7.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Information1.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$103,100
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
86.6%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 80.1% in 2000
13.4% rent
Vacancy rate
22.2%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
29.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 25.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−75.0 ptssince 2009
from 75.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.8
+66%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
19
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shirley on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.3%(321)
Black0.9%(3)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.2%(18)
2024
White, non-Hispanic97%(261)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(6)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.7%(2)
Diversity Score7.3%(20)
Diversity Score
7
+38%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.2%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.9%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.6%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
34.9 min
+136%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
85.6%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 79.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.8%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% 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
0.0%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.9%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
45.1%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 49.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.0%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.7%
−17.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Female
49.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.6%
−44.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
29.0%
+7.0 ptssince 2012
from 22.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.0%
−79.3 ptssince 2013
from 82.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
79.8%
+26.7 ptssince 2017
from 53.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.7%
−1.7 ptssince 2016
from 99.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.3%
+2.3 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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SHIRLEY VS
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SHIRLEY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Shirley, Arkansas?

Shirley, Arkansas has about 269 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shirley, Arkansas?

The typical household in Shirley, Arkansas earns about $37,344 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shirley, Arkansas expensive?

In Shirley, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $103,100.

How educated are people in Shirley, Arkansas?

About 21.2% of adults age 25 and over in Shirley, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shirley, Arkansas?

About 27.5% of people in Shirley, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shirley, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Shirley, Arkansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 96 residents, a change of about -26 percent over that period.

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

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