Fort Smith, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Smith, Arkansas had a total population of 89,805, the 3rd largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $54,816, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Fort Smith is the 3rd largest city in Arkansas with a population of 89,805.
Fort Smith Quick Facts
How Fort Smith 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 | 89,496 | 89,805 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $52,692 | $54,816 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $168,100 | $178,100 | +5.9% |
How Fort Smith 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+)
Fort Smith Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Sebastian County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood | 9,616 | $66,844 | 10.0% | $182,900 |
| Barling | 5,007 | $54,387 | 15.1% | $140,000 |
| Lavaca | 2,489 | $80,924 | 5.9% | $162,300 |
| Mansfield | 1,204 | $53,068 | 23.5% | $113,500 |
| Hackett | 1,118 | $44,081 | 18.7% | $136,700 |
| Bonanza | 711 | $63,631 | 13.2% | $133,300 |
| Central City | 627 | $69,583 | 11.1% | $134,700 |
| Hartford | 496 | $45,341 | 24.9% | $83,700 |
| Huntington | 468 | $35,833 | 23.7% | $45,600 |
| Midland | 262 | $36,461 | 22.5% | $64,300 |
Cities Similar to Fort Smith
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | 80,137 | $55,424 | $223,200 | 31.8% | 22.8% |
| Springdale | 88,160 | $69,787 | $261,800 | 24.2% | 13.4% |
| Fayetteville | 99,319 | $62,695 | $349,600 | 49.0% | 20.6% |
| North Little Rock | 64,538 | $52,707 | $178,900 | 30.6% | 20.3% |
| Conway | 67,642 | $63,004 | $252,100 | 42.6% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Fort Smith is a mid-sized community located in Arkansas, within Sebastian County. The total population is 89,805. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Smith is 36.5 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Smith is $54,816. This is 10% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.3%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $178,100. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Smith is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.5%. The Black or African American population (7.0%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.5% vs 9.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.3% vs 1.6%).
Education
23.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 83.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Smith, 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 Fort Smith, Arkansas?
Fort Smith, Arkansas has a population of 89,805 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Smith, AR?
The median household income in Fort Smith is $54,816, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Smith, AR?
The poverty rate in Fort Smith is 18.3%. This means approximately 16,126 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Smith, Arkansas?
Fort Smith's population is 58.1% White, 7.0% Black, 20.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Smith, AR?
The median home value in Fort Smith is $178,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Fort Smith, Arkansas?
23.9% of adults (25+) in Fort Smith hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.