Bay, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bay, Arkansas had a total population of 2,333, the 134th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $59,769, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Bay Quick Facts
How Bay Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,369 | 2,333 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $58,000 | $59,769 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $109,000 | $118,400 | +8.6% |
How Bay Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bay Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Craighead County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | 80,137 | $55,424 | 22.8% | $223,200 |
| Brookland | 4,377 | $57,308 | 12.5% | $169,200 |
| Bono | 2,657 | $56,098 | 17.1% | $162,100 |
| Lake City | 2,531 | $60,273 | 12.3% | $152,000 |
| Monette | 1,251 | $54,167 | 10.3% | $114,200 |
| Caraway | 1,087 | $38,558 | 19.5% | $85,900 |
| Cash | 278 | $49,500 | 37.7% | $90,300 |
| Black Oak | 179 | $54,643 | 22.6% | $68,400 |
| Egypt | 57 | $28,750 | 35.1% | $75,000 |
| Bowman | 30 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danville | 2,289 | $64,420 | $122,700 | 11.6% | 26.0% |
| Smackover | 2,419 | $55,995 | $118,600 | 22.4% | 26.7% |
| Lake City | 2,531 | $60,273 | $152,000 | 16.5% | 12.3% |
| Fairfield Bay | 2,515 | $56,594 | $164,800 | 30.1% | 11.4% |
| Star City | 2,405 | $51,051 | $122,300 | 21.7% | 23.9% |
Population Overview
Bay is a small community located in Arkansas, within Craighead County. The total population is 2,333. It ranks as the 134th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bay is 31.6 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.5 years. With 33.7% of the population under 18, Bay has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bay is $59,769. This is 2% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $118,400. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Bay is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 47.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bay has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 85.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bay, 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.
Free data download: Get all Arkansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bay, Arkansas?
Bay, Arkansas has a population of 2,333 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bay, AR?
The median household income in Bay is $59,769, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bay, AR?
The poverty rate in Bay is 14.8%. This means approximately 334 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bay, Arkansas?
Bay's population is 93.7% White, 1.2% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bay, AR?
The median home value in Bay is $118,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Bay, Arkansas?
13.6% of adults (25+) in Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.