Dumas, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dumas, Arkansas had a total population of 3,768, the 90th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $34,787, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.3% 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 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.8% is notably above the national average.
Dumas Quick Facts
How Dumas 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 | 3,877 | 3,768 | -2.8% |
| Median household income | $34,938 | $34,787 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $90,800 | $84,400 | -7.0% |
How Dumas 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dumas Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Desha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGehee | 3,666 | $36,875 | 34.0% | $98,800 |
| Arkansas City | 456 | $41,900 | 16.7% | $104,700 |
| Mitchellville | 320 | $40,313 | 12.8% | $73,200 |
| Watson | 214 | $30,139 | 21.5% | $48,600 |
| Reed | 156 | $31,125 | 14.7% | N/A |
| Halley | 10 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Dumas
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGehee | 3,666 | $36,875 | $98,800 | 13.6% | 34.0% |
| Waldron | 3,344 | $33,839 | $105,300 | 7.8% | 19.4% |
| Nashville | 4,063 | $41,142 | $167,600 | 13.0% | 27.3% |
| Piggott | 3,555 | $44,468 | $115,500 | 12.8% | 21.4% |
| Fordyce | 3,268 | $38,079 | $92,600 | 10.7% | 17.1% |
Population Overview
Dumas is a small community located in Arkansas, within Desha County. The total population is 3,768. It ranks as the 90th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dumas is 41.2 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Dumas has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dumas is $34,787. This is 43% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.9%. This is 112% 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 9.8%. This is 99% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $84,400. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Dumas is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dumas is Black or African American, making up 69.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.4%) is well below the state average of 67.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (69.0% vs 14.6%).
Education
9.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 77.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dumas, 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 Dumas, Arkansas?
Dumas, Arkansas has a population of 3,768 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dumas, AR?
The median household income in Dumas is $34,787, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dumas, AR?
The poverty rate in Dumas is 33.9%. This means approximately 1,275 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dumas, Arkansas?
Dumas's population is 18.4% White, 69.0% Black, 11.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dumas, AR?
The median home value in Dumas is $84,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Dumas, Arkansas?
9.3% of adults (25+) in Dumas hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.