Blytheville, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Blytheville, Arkansas had a total population of 12,790, the 32nd largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $47,865, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.2%.
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 2.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.2% is notably above the national average.
Blytheville Quick Facts
How Blytheville 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 | 13,026 | 12,790 | -1.8% |
| Median household income | $49,928 | $47,865 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $101,200 | $119,000 | +17.6% |
How Blytheville 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Blytheville Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Mississippi County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osceola | 6,688 | $46,202 | 26.2% | $99,900 |
| Manila | 3,691 | $55,792 | 8.5% | $172,000 |
| Gosnell | 2,778 | $61,130 | 21.6% | $98,700 |
| Leachville | 1,852 | $51,406 | 27.2% | $111,800 |
| Wilson | 1,023 | $78,646 | 6.3% | $145,300 |
| Keiser | 774 | $56,667 | 14.9% | $128,700 |
| Luxora | 741 | N/A | 50.7% | $31,700 |
| Joiner | 454 | $26,029 | 43.6% | $57,000 |
| Armorel | 345 | $137,917 | 0.6% | $210,500 |
| Etowah | 316 | $24,659 | 37.1% | $82,800 |
Cities Similar to Blytheville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison | 13,350 | $44,056 | $169,600 | 15.4% | 14.9% |
| Mountain Home | 13,108 | $41,274 | $169,800 | 23.1% | 18.9% |
| Batesville | 11,445 | $51,856 | $163,600 | 21.8% | 26.3% |
| Forrest City | 12,646 | $35,689 | $92,000 | 13.8% | 37.7% |
| Malvern | 10,953 | $46,250 | $104,500 | 12.9% | 20.2% |
Population Overview
Blytheville is a small city located in Arkansas, within Mississippi County. The total population is 12,790. It ranks as the 32nd most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Blytheville is 42.3 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Blytheville is $47,865. This is 21% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.2%. This is 52% 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 9.2%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $119,000. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Blytheville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Blytheville is Black or African American, making up 58.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (33.2%) is well below the state average of 67.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (58.4% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
16.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Blytheville, 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 Blytheville, Arkansas?
Blytheville, Arkansas has a population of 12,790 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Blytheville, AR?
The median household income in Blytheville is $47,865, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Blytheville, AR?
The poverty rate in Blytheville is 24.2%. This means approximately 3,057 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Blytheville, Arkansas?
Blytheville's population is 33.2% White, 58.4% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Blytheville, AR?
The median home value in Blytheville is $119,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Blytheville, Arkansas?
16.8% of adults (25+) in Blytheville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.