Cove, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cove, Arkansas had a total population of 462, the 311th largest town in Arkansas, with a median household income of $39,688, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Cove Quick Facts
How Cove 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 | 359 | 462 | +28.7% |
| Median household income | $26,172 | $39,688 | +51.6% |
| Median home value | $80,000 | $75,000 | -6.3% |
How Cove 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+)
Cove Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mena | 5,582 | $47,428 | 13.9% | $132,900 |
| Wickes | 694 | $27,411 | 41.3% | $45,000 |
| Grannis | 691 | $75,132 | 14.2% | $94,700 |
| Hatfield | 544 | $38,863 | 22.6% | $112,500 |
| Acorn | 203 | $93,811 | 0.0% | $299,200 |
| Vandervoort | 202 | $78,839 | 2.0% | $110,000 |
| Board Camp | 69 | N/A | 21.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cove
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas City | 456 | $41,900 | $104,700 | 13.5% | 16.7% |
| Huntington | 468 | $35,833 | $45,600 | 10.4% | 23.7% |
| Western Grove | 438 | $38,365 | $146,000 | 13.0% | 28.8% |
| Lafe | 478 | $36,429 | $82,400 | 8.2% | 43.4% |
| Sparkman | 430 | $39,063 | $74,300 | 10.9% | 17.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 462, Cove'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
Cove is a small community located in Arkansas, within Polk County. The total population is 462. It ranks as the 311th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cove is 36.5 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cove is $39,688. This is 35% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 39% 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 8.2%. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $75,000. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Cove is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cove has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
9.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 81.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cove, 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 Cove, Arkansas?
Cove, Arkansas has a population of 462 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cove, AR?
The median household income in Cove is $39,688, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cove, AR?
The poverty rate in Cove is 22.3%. This means approximately 103 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cove, Arkansas?
Cove's population is 90.9% White, 0.0% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cove, AR?
The median home value in Cove is $75,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Cove, Arkansas?
9.1% of adults (25+) in Cove hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.