Ashley County, Arkansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Ashley County is located in Arkansas with a total population of 18,722. It is the 37th most populous county out of 75 in Arkansas. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ashley County is 42.7 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ashley County is $44,481. This is 24% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.7%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $88,800. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Ashley County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Ashley County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 24.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (24.6% vs 14.8%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.8%.