Chester, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, Arkansas had a total population of 76, the 547th largest town in Arkansas, with a median household income of $29,250, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 19.2% is notably above the national average.
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester 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 | 105 | 76 | -27.6% |
How Chester 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+)
Chester Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Crawford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren | 23,763 | $61,149 | 15.3% | $181,500 |
| Alma | 5,906 | $68,562 | 27.3% | $233,600 |
| Cedarville | 1,760 | $59,740 | 9.6% | $165,100 |
| Mulberry | 1,646 | $50,428 | 16.4% | $135,900 |
| Kibler | 1,085 | $58,500 | 9.5% | $210,100 |
| Dyer | 1,049 | $94,327 | 16.4% | $230,300 |
| Mountainburg | 566 | $53,068 | 20.7% | $122,900 |
| Rudy | 178 | $56,181 | 29.2% | $227,100 |
| Uniontown | 168 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Dora | 74 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Witts Springs | 77 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Evansville | 75 | N/A | N/A | 49.3% | 0.0% |
| Haynes | 75 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 29.3% |
| Dora | 74 | N/A | N/A | 39.5% | 0.0% |
| Everton | 79 | N/A | $65,000 | 14.8% | 21.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 76, Chester's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Chester is a small community located in Arkansas, within Crawford County. The total population is 76. It ranks as the 547th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 55.3 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. Only 10.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester is $29,250. This is 52% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 64% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.7%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 19.2%. This is 289% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. 51.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chester has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.7% of all residents.
Education
11.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 75.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, 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 Chester, Arkansas?
Chester, Arkansas has a population of 76 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, AR?
The median household income in Chester is $29,250, which is 64% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, AR?
The poverty rate in Chester is 19.7%. This means approximately 15 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, Arkansas?
Chester's population is 94.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, AR?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Chester — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Chester, Arkansas?
11.5% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.