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CITY

Van Buren

Arkansas · 24,556 residents (2025 est.) · 15.476 sq mi
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The short version

Van Buren has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $61,149. Population has grown 25% since 2000. 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 $181,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 38%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,763
+25%since 2000
from 18,986 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,535 / sq mi
+25%since 2000
from 1,227 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.5
+12%since 2000
from 32.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:24,556 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
14K17K19K22K25K1990201020202024Van Buren
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,149
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,608 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,398
+97%since 2000
from $14,948 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.3%
+19.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.435
+9%since 2010
from 0.399 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$181,500
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$847
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $418 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
65.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2000
from 66.8% in 2000
34.4% rent
Vacancy rate
7.2%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.3%
−6.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.0%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+38%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in Van Buren on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic85.1%(16,152)
Black1.6%(311)
Hispanic / Latino6%(1,147)
Asian2.8%(528)
Other0%
Diversity Score25.2%(4,791)
2024
White, non-Hispanic69.3%(16,461)
Black2%(482)
Hispanic / Latino15.7%(3,726)
Asian2.6%(610)
Other10.5%(2,484)
Diversity Score60.4%(14,364)
Diversity Score
60
+140%since 2000
from 25 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.9%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.5%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 71.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.6%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+69%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 81.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.4%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2011
from 5.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.1%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 65.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.8%
−30.2 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
8.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.5%
−39.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.7%
+7.1 ptssince 2012
from 12.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.2%
−71.3 ptssince 2013
from 83.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.8%
+18.1 ptssince 2017
from 73.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
85.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2016
from 85.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
11.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 11.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Van Buren to nearby cities

VAN BUREN VS
Fort Smith
Income$54,816−10%
Home value$178,100−2%
Population90,855+270%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VAN BUREN VS
Greenwood
Income$66,844+9%
Home value$182,900+1%
Population9,793−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VAN BUREN VS
Sallisaw
Income$48,036−21%
Home value$134,100−26%
Population8,790−64%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VAN BUREN VS
Poteau
Income$50,511−17%
Home value$157,400−13%
Population9,171−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Van Buren, Arkansas?

Van Buren, Arkansas has about 23,763 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Van Buren, Arkansas?

The typical household in Van Buren, Arkansas earns about $61,149 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Van Buren, Arkansas expensive?

In Van Buren, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $181,500, and the typical rent is about $847 a month.

How educated are people in Van Buren, Arkansas?

About 20.9% of adults age 25 and over in Van Buren, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Van Buren, Arkansas?

About 15.3% of people in Van Buren, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Van Buren, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Van Buren, Arkansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,833 residents, a change of about 59 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 →