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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Van Buren County

Arkansas · 15,796 residents · 709.57 sq mi
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The short version

Van Buren County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,442. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $105,500. With a median age of 50.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 50.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,796
−2%since 2000
from 16,192 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
22 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 23 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
50.2
+14%since 2000
from 44.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K15K16K17K18K1990201020202024Van Buren County
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,442
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,004 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,244
+40%since 2000
from $16,603 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
21.8%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 15.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance10.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade8.7%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade7.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical6.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5%
US avg: 1.7%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services3.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction2.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing2.4%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$105,500
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$600
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $372 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
79.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 81.1% in 2000
20.2% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+22%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Van Buren County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96%(15,550)
Black0.3%(50)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(215)
Asian0.2%(39)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.7%(765)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.6%(14,319)
Black0.4%(71)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(501)
Asian0.4%(56)
Other3.6%(565)
Diversity Score18.2%(2,873)
Segregation Score21.3%(3,365)
Diversity Score
18
+285%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
21
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.8%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.8%
+13.2 ptssince 2000
from 71.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.5%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.7 min
+21%since 2000
from 24.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 76.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 9.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
45.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2011
from 45.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
27.8%
−22.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.4%
−70.1 ptssince 2013
from 79.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Van Buren County

Cross County
Pop 16,186
Fayette County
Pop 15,872
La Paz County
Pop 16,711
Dixie County
Pop 18,038
Places similar to Van Buren County
Head to head

Compare Van Buren County to nearby counties

VAN BUREN COUNTY VS
Searcy County
Income$44,426+10%
Home value$110,000+4%
Population7,848−52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VAN BUREN COUNTY VS
Conway County
Income$54,187+34%
Home value$154,100+46%
Population21,393+32%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VAN BUREN COUNTY VS
Stone County
Income$40,943+1%
Home value$171,600+63%
Population12,703−22%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VAN BUREN COUNTY VS
Cleburne County
Income$55,798+38%
Home value$179,800+70%
Population25,672+58%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Van Buren County, Arkansas?

Van Buren County, Arkansas has about 15,796 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Van Buren County, Arkansas earns about $40,442 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Van Buren County, Arkansas expensive?

In Van Buren County, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $105,500, and the typical rent is about $600 a month.

How educated are people in Van Buren County, Arkansas?

About 15.8% of adults age 25 and over in Van Buren County, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Van Buren County, Arkansas?

About 16.3% of people in Van Buren County, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Van Buren County, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Van Buren County, Arkansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,788 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

6 census tracts
Census Tract 4601Census Tract 4604Census Tract 4602Census Tract 4603.04Census Tract 4603.01Census Tract 4603.03
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 72031ZIP 72153ZIP 72088ZIP 72013ZIP 72141ZIP 72080ZIP 72629ZIP 72028
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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