Fort Smith city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Fort Smith city, Arkansas Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

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3rd Largest3rd most populous city in Arkansas

As of 2026, Fort Smith city, Arkansas has a total population of 89,496, the 3rd largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $52,692, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.3%.

Key Takeaways

Fort Smith city is the 3rd largest city in Arkansas with a population of 89,496.

Fort Smith city Quick Facts

Population 89,496

Median Household Income $52,692

Median Home Value $168,100

Poverty Rate 18.3%

Unemployment Rate 6.7%

Median Age 36.6 years

Homeownership Rate 53.0%

Affordability Ratio 3.2x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 25.3%

High School Graduation Rate 83.5%

Diversity Index 60/100

Population 89,496 3rd of 617

Median Income $52,692 above average

Poverty Rate 18.3% 47% higher national

Median Home Value $168,100 top 20%

How Fort Smith city Compares

Median Household Income

Fort Smith city

$52,692

$58,773

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Fort Smith city

$168,100

$175,300

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 20.5%

$25K-$50K 27.4%

$50K-$100K 28.8%

$100K+ 23.3%

Employment

6.7% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1% | National: 5.2%

61.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 53.0%

Renter 47.0%

Affordability Index Affordable

3.2x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

23.8%

18-34

24.1%

35-54

23.4%

55-74

22.3%

75+

6.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 50 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Fort Smith city Rankings in Arkansas

#3 Population of 617

#211 Median Income of 617

#99 Education of 617

#103 Home Value of 617

Explore Arkansas Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Fort Smith city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Jonesboro city	79,187	$52,559	$213,400	29.8%	22.4%
Springdale city	87,388	$66,044	$237,200	23.2%	13.7%
Fayetteville city	97,227	$59,074	$322,500	49.8%	21.4%
North Little Rock city	64,504	$51,236	$169,500	30.1%	20.8%
Conway city	66,288	$58,461	$234,600	41.1%	18.3%

Population Overview

Fort Smith city is a mid-sized community located in Arkansas. The total population is 89,496. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Fort Smith city is 36.6 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Fort Smith city is $52,692. This is 10% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.3%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $168,100. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $175,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 53.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Smith city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.0% vs 8.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.5% vs 1.5%).

Education

25.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about average than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Fort Smith city, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 617 Census-designated places in Arkansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Fort Smith city, Arkansas?

Fort Smith city, Arkansas has a population of 89,496 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Fort Smith city, AR?

The median household income in Fort Smith city is $52,692, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Fort Smith city, AR?

The poverty rate in Fort Smith city is 18.3%. This means approximately 16,086 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Fort Smith city, Arkansas?

Fort Smith city's population is 58.4% White, 7.7% Black, 20.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.5% Asian.

What is the median home value in Fort Smith city, AR?

The median home value in Fort Smith city is $168,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.

How educated is Fort Smith city, Arkansas?

25.3% of adults (25+) in Fort Smith city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.