Brinkley, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brinkley, Arkansas had a total population of 2,596, the 121st largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $38,996, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 16.7% is notably above the national average.
Brinkley Quick Facts
How Brinkley 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 | 2,651 | 2,596 | -2.1% |
| Median household income | $38,285 | $38,996 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $84,000 | $94,000 | +11.9% |
How Brinkley 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brinkley Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Monroe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarendon | 1,820 | $33,818 | 23.9% | $65,900 |
| Holly Grove | 495 | $36,333 | 27.3% | $78,500 |
| Roe | 129 | N/A | 1.6% | N/A |
| Fargo | 30 | N/A | 60.0% | $21,900 |
| Monroe | 11 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Brinkley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoxie | 2,618 | $35,268 | $87,600 | 4.1% | 19.0% |
| Eureka Springs | 2,433 | $38,425 | $245,300 | 24.1% | 12.2% |
| Clinton | 2,509 | $42,946 | $126,800 | 20.2% | 20.0% |
| Horseshoe Bend | 2,555 | $46,080 | $128,500 | 18.2% | 26.2% |
| North Crossett | 2,556 | $32,917 | $70,100 | 7.3% | 24.4% |
Population Overview
Brinkley is a small community located in Arkansas, within Monroe County. The total population is 2,596. It ranks as the 121st most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brinkley is 49.1 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. 10.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brinkley is $38,996. This is 36% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 61% 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 16.7%. This is 238% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $94,000. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Brinkley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brinkley is Black or African American, making up 60.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 36.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (60.1% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
14.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 79.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brinkley, 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 Brinkley, Arkansas?
Brinkley, Arkansas has a population of 2,596 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brinkley, AR?
The median household income in Brinkley is $38,996, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brinkley, AR?
The poverty rate in Brinkley is 25.7%. This means approximately 651 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brinkley, Arkansas?
Brinkley's population is 36.0% White, 60.1% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brinkley, AR?
The median home value in Brinkley is $94,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Brinkley, Arkansas?
14.0% of adults (25+) in Brinkley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.