Decatur, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Decatur, Arkansas had a total population of 1,567, the 172nd largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $45,179, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Arkansas (diversity index: 71/100).
Decatur Quick Facts
How Decatur 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 | 1,516 | 1,567 | +3.4% |
| Median household income | $43,239 | $45,179 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $141,800 | $157,600 | +11.1% |
How Decatur 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Decatur Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Benton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springdale | 88,160 | $69,787 | 13.4% | $261,800 |
| Rogers | 72,981 | $86,728 | 10.5% | $308,200 |
| Bentonville | 58,249 | $112,792 | 5.2% | $428,500 |
| Bella Vista | 31,697 | $88,055 | 3.6% | $296,700 |
| Centerton | 21,920 | $115,713 | 5.5% | $338,500 |
| Siloam Springs | 18,699 | $72,065 | 14.6% | $221,700 |
| Lowell | 10,849 | $95,527 | 6.9% | $284,200 |
| Pea Ridge | 8,108 | $95,521 | 3.2% | $297,500 |
| Cave Springs | 6,008 | $146,473 | 1.8% | $460,300 |
| Gentry | 4,240 | $69,779 | 9.1% | $186,100 |
Cities Similar to Decatur
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrightsville | 1,484 | $45,417 | $62,900 | 6.2% | 16.4% |
| Gurdon | 1,625 | $47,587 | $111,600 | 16.9% | 17.2% |
| Salem | 1,620 | $40,833 | $105,900 | 11.7% | 29.1% |
| Tuckerman | 1,442 | $45,484 | $102,500 | 14.7% | 15.3% |
| Newark | 1,637 | $40,417 | $96,300 | 7.2% | 29.5% |
Population Overview
Decatur is a small community located in Arkansas, within Benton County. The total population is 1,567. It ranks as the 172nd most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Decatur is 36.4 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Decatur is $45,179. This is 26% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $157,600. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 38.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Decatur is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.8%. The Black or African American population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (28.8% vs 9.0%).
Education
9.0% 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 79.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Decatur, 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 Decatur, Arkansas?
Decatur, Arkansas has a population of 1,567 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Decatur, AR?
The median household income in Decatur is $45,179, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Decatur, AR?
The poverty rate in Decatur is 11.8%. This means approximately 181 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Decatur, Arkansas?
Decatur's population is 40.0% White, 3.8% Black, 28.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Decatur, AR?
The median home value in Decatur is $157,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Decatur, Arkansas?
9.0% of adults (25+) in Decatur hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.