El Dorado, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Dorado, Arkansas had a total population of 17,115, the 27th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $49,244, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
El Dorado Quick Facts
How El Dorado 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 | 17,382 | 17,115 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $45,159 | $49,244 | +9.0% |
| Median home value | $113,100 | $124,100 | +9.7% |
How El Dorado 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
El Dorado Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smackover | 2,419 | $55,995 | 26.7% | $118,600 |
| Norphlet | 1,003 | $51,705 | 13.6% | $120,800 |
| Junction City | 564 | N/A | 9.9% | $111,300 |
| Strong | 434 | $36,063 | 35.9% | $66,600 |
| Huttig | 401 | $55,000 | 15.0% | $46,200 |
| Calion | 355 | $41,417 | 15.5% | $89,400 |
| Urbana | 147 | N/A | 23.8% | N/A |
| Lawson | 86 | $91,389 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Felsenthal | 40 | $33,750 | 32.5% | $83,000 |
| Mount Holly | 18 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to El Dorado
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs Village | 16,327 | $75,370 | $272,000 | 34.7% | 7.3% |
| Siloam Springs | 18,699 | $72,065 | $221,700 | 27.5% | 14.6% |
| Harrison | 13,350 | $44,056 | $169,600 | 15.4% | 14.9% |
| Blytheville | 12,790 | $47,865 | $119,000 | 16.8% | 24.2% |
| Searcy | 23,340 | $52,170 | $188,500 | 29.6% | 18.8% |
Population Overview
El Dorado is a small city located in Arkansas, within Union County. The total population is 17,115. It ranks as the 27th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Dorado is 36.6 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in El Dorado is $49,244. This is 19% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 46% 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 7.0%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $124,100. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, El Dorado is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in El Dorado is Black or African American, making up 48.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 40.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (48.7% vs 14.6%).
Education
17.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 87.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for El Dorado, 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 El Dorado, Arkansas?
El Dorado, Arkansas has a population of 17,115 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Dorado, AR?
The median household income in El Dorado is $49,244, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Dorado, AR?
The poverty rate in El Dorado is 23.3%. This means approximately 3,900 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Dorado, Arkansas?
El Dorado's population is 40.4% White, 48.7% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in El Dorado, AR?
The median home value in El Dorado is $124,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is El Dorado, Arkansas?
17.1% of adults (25+) in El Dorado hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.