Charleston, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charleston, Arkansas had a total population of 2,646, the 118th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $56,600, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Charleston Quick Facts
How Charleston 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 | 2,611 | 2,646 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $60,058 | $56,600 | -5.8% |
| Median home value | $116,500 | $156,300 | +34.2% |
How Charleston 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+)
Charleston Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
Cities Similar to Charleston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bono | 2,657 | $56,098 | $162,100 | 19.9% | 17.1% |
| Fairfield Bay | 2,515 | $56,594 | $164,800 | 30.1% | 11.4% |
| Lake City | 2,531 | $60,273 | $152,000 | 16.5% | 12.3% |
| Gosnell | 2,778 | $61,130 | $98,700 | 9.9% | 21.6% |
| Holiday Island | 2,480 | $53,391 | $227,100 | 24.7% | 3.1% |
Population Overview
Charleston is a small community located in Arkansas, within Franklin County. The total population is 2,646. It ranks as the 118th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charleston is 37.6 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.5 years. With 29.6% of the population under 18, Charleston has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.3% 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 is $56,600. This is 7% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.9%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $156,300. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Charleston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) 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%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
21.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charleston, 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 Charleston, Arkansas?
Charleston, Arkansas has a population of 2,646 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charleston, AR?
The median household income in Charleston is $56,600, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charleston, AR?
The poverty rate in Charleston is 9.9%. This means approximately 253 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charleston, Arkansas?
Charleston's population is 83.6% White, 0.8% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charleston, AR?
The median home value in Charleston is $156,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Charleston, Arkansas?
21.5% of adults (25+) in Charleston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.