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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

West Memphis

Arkansas · 27,666 residents · 28.8 sq mi
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The short version

With 27,666 people, West Memphis is a city in Arkansas. 28.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 24% national rate. The median age is 31.3, younger than the US median of 35.2. Median home value sits at $62,800. 56% of homes are owner-occupied.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 31.3
US median: 35.2
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

27,666
−2%since 1990
from 28,259 in 1990
1990 – 2025
31.3
+3%since 1990
from 30.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Land area
28.8 sq mi
Population, 19902024
23K25K26K27K29K19902000201020202024West Memphis
202424K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2000
Under 58.5%(2,361)
US avg: 6.8%
5 to 99.1%(2,530)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 148.8%(2,448)
US avg: 7.3%
15 to 197.9%(2,177)
US avg: 7.2%
20 to 246.9%(1,910)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 3413.7%(3,788)
US avg: 14.2%
35 to 4414.5%(4,001)
US avg: 16%
45 to 5411.9%(3,297)
US avg: 13.4%
55 to 648.1%(2,252)
US avg: 8.6%
65 to 745.4%(1,506)
US avg: 6.5%
75 to 843.7%(1,036)
US avg: 4.4%
85 and over1.3%(360)
US avg: 1.5%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

$27,399
−6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $22,052 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$13,679
+37%since 1990
from $10,009 in 1990
US average: $21,522
28.3%
+5.3 ptssince 1990
from 22.9% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$62,800
−4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $49,600 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$475
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $343 in 1990
US average: $602
56.0%
−1.8 ptssince 1990
from 57.7% in 1990
44.0% rent
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic57%(16,101)
Black42.4%(11,982)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(81)
Asian0.3%(93)
2000
White, non-Hispanic41.8%(11,563)
Black55.8%(15,429)
Hispanic / Latino1%(279)
Asian0.5%(147)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican2.4%(563)
Cuban0.3%(66)
Asian origin
Chinese0.6%(142)
Pacific Islander origin
Samoan0.6%(140)
Ancestry
Irish5.5%(1,310)
American5.4%(1,283)
German4.3%(1,020)
English3.4%(811)
Italian0.8%(201)
Scotch-Irish0.5%(114)
Scottish0.3%(68)
French0.2%(56)
Swedish0.2%(54)
Dutch0.2%(52)
British0.2%(41)
+ 6 more ancestry groups with data
Polish0.2%(41)
Norwegian0.1%(27)
Welsh0.1%(23)
Nigerian0.1%(15)
Arab0.1%(13)
Jordanian0.1%(13)
Section 05

Education

11.5%
+0.8 ptssince 1990
from 10.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
68.8%
+6.3 ptssince 1990
from 62.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
3.9%
+0.7 ptssince 1990
from 3.2% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

13.8 min
−13%since 1990
from 15.8 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status
Men 15+
Never married33.6%(3,053)
Married55.1%(5,011)
Widowed2.1%(192)
Divorced9.2%(835)
Women 15+
Never married27.9%(3,129)
Married46.8%(5,248)
Widowed11.7%(1,314)
Divorced13.6%(1,520)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09

Health coverage

Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).

10.2%
−7.0 ptssince 2013
from 17.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
33.3%
−1.4 ptssince 2020
from 34.7% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
6.8%
−2.1 ptssince 2020
from 8.9% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
20.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2020
from 19.0% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
44.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2020
from 43.2% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
2.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2020
from 2.2% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
39.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2020
from 42.3% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
58.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2020
from 55.8% in 2020
US average: 36.7%

Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.

Section 09 · Service history

Veterans

Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)11.3%(95)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)15.6%(131)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era53.5%(450)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War0.7%(6)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%

Share of the 841 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.

BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
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Frequently asked

How many people live in West Memphis, Arkansas?

West Memphis, Arkansas has about 27,666 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in West Memphis, Arkansas?

The typical household in West Memphis, Arkansas earns about $27,399 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Memphis, Arkansas expensive?

In West Memphis, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $62,800, and the typical rent is about $475 a month.

How educated are people in West Memphis, Arkansas?

About 11.5% of adults age 25 and over in West Memphis, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Memphis, Arkansas?

About 28.3% of people in West Memphis, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Memphis, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, West Memphis, Arkansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 593 residents, a change of about -2 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 →