Hempstead County, Arkansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Hempstead County is located in Arkansas with a total population of 19,778. It is the 34th most populous county out of 75 in Arkansas. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hempstead County is 41.1 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hempstead County is $47,654. This is 19% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.0%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $100,200. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Hempstead County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Hempstead County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 51.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (29.7% vs 14.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.9% vs 8.8%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

14.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower 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 83.4%.