Bull Shoals, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bull Shoals, Arkansas had a total population of 1,678, the 166th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $41,976, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 12.9% is notably above the national average.
Bull Shoals Quick Facts
How Bull Shoals 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 | 1,687 | 1,678 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $46,848 | $41,976 | -10.4% |
| Median home value | $157,200 | $158,100 | +0.6% |
How Bull Shoals 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+)
Bull Shoals Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Marion County
Cities Similar to Bull Shoals
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | 1,637 | $40,417 | $96,300 | 7.2% | 29.5% |
| Salem | 1,620 | $40,833 | $105,900 | 11.7% | 29.1% |
| Gurdon | 1,625 | $47,587 | $111,600 | 16.9% | 17.2% |
| Decatur | 1,567 | $45,179 | $157,600 | 9.0% | 11.8% |
| Rector | 1,750 | $47,760 | $91,300 | 16.5% | 20.2% |
Population Overview
Bull Shoals is a small community located in Arkansas, within Marion County. The total population is 1,678. It ranks as the 166th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bull Shoals is 50.2 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. Only 14.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.9% 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 Bull Shoals is $41,976. This is 31% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.9%. This is 161% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $158,100. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bull Shoals has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.1% of all residents. Asian residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 9.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.9% vs 1.6%).
Education
17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 86.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bull Shoals, 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 Bull Shoals, Arkansas?
Bull Shoals, Arkansas has a population of 1,678 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bull Shoals, AR?
The median household income in Bull Shoals is $41,976, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bull Shoals, AR?
The poverty rate in Bull Shoals is 14.6%. This means approximately 243 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bull Shoals, Arkansas?
Bull Shoals's population is 86.1% White, 0.1% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bull Shoals, AR?
The median home value in Bull Shoals is $158,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Bull Shoals, Arkansas?
17.2% of adults (25+) in Bull Shoals hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.