Chidester city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Chidester city is a small community located in Arkansas. The total population is 347. It ranks as the 361st most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Chidester city is 52.0 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 38.4 years. Only 12.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.3% 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 Chidester city is $21,641. This is 63% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 72% lower. The poverty rate stands at 48.3%. This is 201% 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 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $73,400. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $175,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 69.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Chidester city is Black or African American, making up 70.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (28.0%) is well below the state average of 68.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (70.0% vs 14.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

6.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 79.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Chidester 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.