Charleston city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Charleston city is a small community located in Arkansas. The total population is 2,611. It ranks as the 121st most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Charleston city is 40.7 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.4 years. 13.2% 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 Charleston city is $60,058. This is 2% higher than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $116,500. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Charleston city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.4% of the population. Asian residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 14.8%.

Education

22.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Charleston city, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 617 Census-designated places in Arkansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.