Fayetteville, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fayetteville, Arkansas had a total population of 99,319, the 2nd largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $62,695, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Fayetteville is the 2nd largest city in Arkansas with a population of 99,319.
- 49.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Arkansas.
Fayetteville Quick Facts
How Fayetteville 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 | 97,227 | 99,319 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $59,074 | $62,695 | +6.1% |
| Median home value | $322,500 | $349,600 | +8.4% |
How Fayetteville 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+)
Fayetteville Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | 9,094 | $90,469 | 3.8% | $304,800 |
| Prairie Grove | 7,798 | $70,701 | 15.2% | $256,000 |
| Tontitown | 6,425 | $85,603 | 4.7% | $430,500 |
| Elkins | 3,808 | $81,789 | 6.5% | $212,500 |
| Johnson | 3,656 | $95,844 | 2.2% | $312,900 |
| West Fork | 3,095 | $77,566 | 3.1% | $201,000 |
| Lincoln | 2,794 | $68,333 | 12.4% | $168,900 |
| Goshen | 2,298 | $150,074 | 1.7% | $670,200 |
| Greenland | 1,274 | $69,821 | 13.0% | $228,000 |
| Winslow | 291 | $42,292 | 15.8% | $172,200 |
Cities Similar to Fayetteville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | 89,805 | $54,816 | $178,100 | 23.9% | 18.3% |
| Springdale | 88,160 | $69,787 | $261,800 | 24.2% | 13.4% |
| Jonesboro | 80,137 | $55,424 | $223,200 | 31.8% | 22.8% |
| Conway | 67,642 | $63,004 | $252,100 | 42.6% | 16.9% |
| Rogers | 72,981 | $86,728 | $308,200 | 34.4% | 10.5% |
Population Overview
Fayetteville is a mid-sized community located in Arkansas, within Washington County. The total population is 99,319. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fayetteville is 28.8 years. This is 25% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fayetteville is $62,695. This is 3% higher than the state median of $60,773. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 29% 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 4.0%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $349,600. Housing costs are 86% higher than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 41.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fayetteville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.2%. The Black or African American population (4.8%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.4% vs 1.6%).
Education
49.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Fayetteville in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 90% higher 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 94.9%. Notably, 22.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, Arkansas?
Fayetteville, Arkansas has a population of 99,319 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fayetteville, AR?
The median household income in Fayetteville is $62,695, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fayetteville, AR?
The poverty rate in Fayetteville is 20.6%. This means approximately 18,839 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fayetteville, Arkansas?
Fayetteville's population is 70.0% White, 4.8% Black, 9.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fayetteville, AR?
The median home value in Fayetteville is $349,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Fayetteville, Arkansas?
49.0% of adults (25+) in Fayetteville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.