Des Arc, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Des Arc, Arkansas had a total population of 1,591, the 171st largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $30,921, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Des Arc Quick Facts
How Des Arc 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 | 1,447 | 1,591 | +10.0% |
| Median household income | $31,328 | $30,921 | -1.3% |
| Median home value | $86,800 | $90,700 | +4.5% |
How Des Arc 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+)
Des Arc Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Prairie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazen | 1,874 | $49,225 | 14.7% | $134,400 |
| De Valls Bluff | 553 | $27,361 | 21.7% | N/A |
| Ulm | 174 | $63,438 | 1.7% | N/A |
| Fredonia (Biscoe) | 135 | $60,313 | 1.5% | $82,500 |
Cities Similar to Des Arc
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earle | 1,520 | $32,197 | $87,900 | 13.6% | 36.1% |
| Dover | 1,795 | $32,332 | $112,200 | 16.3% | 30.5% |
| Salem | 1,620 | $40,833 | $105,900 | 11.7% | 29.1% |
| Newark | 1,637 | $40,417 | $96,300 | 7.2% | 29.5% |
| Clarendon | 1,820 | $33,818 | $65,900 | 11.7% | 23.9% |
Population Overview
Des Arc is a small community located in Arkansas, within Prairie County. The total population is 1,591. It ranks as the 171st most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Des Arc is 48.8 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. Only 12.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.7% 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 Des Arc is $30,921. This is 49% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 62% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $90,700. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Des Arc is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Des Arc is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
10.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 79.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Des Arc, 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 Des Arc, Arkansas?
Des Arc, Arkansas has a population of 1,591 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Des Arc, AR?
The median household income in Des Arc is $30,921, which is 62% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Des Arc, AR?
The poverty rate in Des Arc is 20.0%. This means approximately 302 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Des Arc, Arkansas?
Des Arc's population is 77.4% White, 12.6% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Des Arc, AR?
The median home value in Des Arc is $90,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Des Arc, Arkansas?
10.1% of adults (25+) in Des Arc hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.