Cotter, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cotter, Arkansas had a total population of 1,063, the 208th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $35,792, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.2%.
Cotter Quick Facts
How Cotter 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 | 955 | 1,063 | +11.3% |
| Median household income | $33,250 | $35,792 | +7.6% |
| Median home value | $162,000 | $193,100 | +19.2% |
How Cotter 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+)
Cotter Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Baxter County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Home | 13,108 | $41,274 | 18.9% | $169,800 |
| Gassville | 1,850 | $38,750 | 17.8% | $142,700 |
| Midway | 1,279 | $30,750 | 30.8% | $147,300 |
| Lakeview | 851 | $66,786 | 17.6% | $215,700 |
| Norfork | 690 | $32,167 | 39.4% | $182,000 |
| Salesville | 515 | $38,750 | 21.8% | $116,300 |
| Henderson | 415 | $43,767 | 6.8% | $188,600 |
| Briarcliff | 257 | $61,875 | 23.0% | $192,500 |
| Big Flat | 71 | N/A | 56.3% | $110,900 |
| Gamaliel | 15 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cotter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McAlmont | 1,088 | $34,696 | $209,900 | 24.0% | 34.2% |
| Rison | 1,019 | $35,855 | $115,500 | 16.0% | 46.3% |
| East Camden | 1,026 | $37,500 | $110,400 | 13.6% | 6.6% |
| Caraway | 1,087 | $38,558 | $85,900 | 8.3% | 19.5% |
| Foreman | 1,044 | $42,083 | $95,100 | 6.6% | 17.1% |
Population Overview
Cotter is a small community located in Arkansas, within Baxter County. The total population is 1,063. It ranks as the 208th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cotter is 63.2 years. This is 64% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. Only 11.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.7% 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 Cotter is $35,792. This is 41% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.2%. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $193,100. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cotter has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
16.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 91.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cotter, 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 Cotter, Arkansas?
Cotter, Arkansas has a population of 1,063 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cotter, AR?
The median household income in Cotter is $35,792, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cotter, AR?
The poverty rate in Cotter is 13.0%. This means approximately 138 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cotter, Arkansas?
Cotter's population is 91.0% White, 0.0% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cotter, AR?
The median home value in Cotter is $193,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is Cotter, Arkansas?
16.1% of adults (25+) in Cotter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.