Barling, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Barling, Arkansas had a total population of 5,007, the 71st largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $54,387, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Barling Quick Facts
How Barling Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,910 | 5,007 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $58,388 | $54,387 | No clear change (-6.9%) |
| Median home value¹ | $133,655 | $140,000 | No clear change (+4.7%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,138 | $1,128 | No clear change (-0.9%) |
How Barling Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 71.6%
- Black: 2.2%
- Hispanic: 13.3%
- Asian: 8.5%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 11.7%
- HS Diploma: 41.4%
- Some College: 19.3%
- Associate's: 6.5%
- Bachelor's: 15.7%
- Graduate+: 5.4%
Barling Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Sebastian County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | 89,805 | $54,816 | 18.3% | $178,100 |
| Greenwood | 9,616 | $66,844 | 10.0% | $182,900 |
| Lavaca | 2,489 | $80,924 | 5.9% | $162,300 |
| Mansfield | 1,204 | $53,068 | 23.5% | $113,500 |
| Hackett | 1,118 | $44,081 | 18.7% | $136,700 |
| Bonanza | 711 | $63,631 | 13.2% | $133,300 |
| Central City | 627 | $69,583 | 11.1% | $134,700 |
| Hartford | 496 | $45,341 | 24.9% | $83,700 |
| Huntington | 468 | $35,833 | 23.7% | $45,600 |
| Midland | 262 | $36,461 | 22.5% | $64,300 |
Cities Similar to Barling
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan | 5,165 | $62,453 | $187,700 | 23.1% | 20.0% |
| Dardanelle | 4,511 | $51,040 | $138,600 | 14.5% | 11.1% |
| Piney | 4,458 | $50,901 | $134,400 | 19.0% | 28.5% |
| Brookland | 4,377 | $57,308 | $169,200 | 16.3% | 12.5% |
| Crossett | 4,639 | $44,672 | $114,600 | 25.5% | 22.0% |
Population Overview
Barling is a small city located in Arkansas, within Sebastian County. The total population is 5,007. It ranks as the 71st most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Barling is 42.5 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Barling is $54,387. This is 11% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.1%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $140,000. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Barling is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Barling is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.3%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.5% vs 1.6%).
Education
21.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 25.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Barling, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Barling, Arkansas?
Barling, Arkansas has a population of 5,007 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Barling, AR?
The median household income in Barling is $54,387, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Barling, AR?
The poverty rate in Barling is 15.1%. This means approximately 738 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Barling, Arkansas?
Barling's population is 71.6% White, 2.2% Black, 13.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Barling, AR?
The median home value in Barling is $140,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Barling, Arkansas?
21.1% of adults (25+) in Barling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.