Hope, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hope, Arkansas had a total population of 8,671, the 45th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $37,500, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Hope Quick Facts
How Hope 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 | 8,787 | 8,671 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $44,353 | $37,500 | -15.5% |
| Median home value | $87,800 | $91,900 | +4.7% |
How Hope 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+)
Hope Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Hempstead County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmet | 435 | $56,016 | 22.8% | $86,900 |
| Perrytown | 251 | $56,250 | 7.3% | $125,000 |
| Fulton | 189 | N/A | 7.9% | $129,200 |
| Blevins | 167 | $50,972 | 13.8% | $102,000 |
| Washington | 93 | $38,421 | 8.6% | N/A |
| McNab | 73 | N/A | 11.0% | $31,800 |
| McCaskill | 46 | N/A | 84.8% | $171,900 |
| Ozan | 43 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Patmos | 38 | $40,417 | 28.9% | N/A |
| Oakhaven | 34 | $61,250 | 19.4% | $115,600 |
Cities Similar to Hope
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena-West Helena | 8,935 | $36,019 | $73,200 | 15.3% | 31.7% |
| Clarksville | 9,526 | $37,373 | $164,800 | 17.8% | 27.6% |
| Newport | 8,024 | $34,764 | $162,600 | 12.3% | 30.4% |
| Wynne | 8,120 | $43,250 | $141,100 | 21.8% | 24.7% |
| Trumann | 7,410 | $38,881 | $112,300 | 11.4% | 25.4% |
Population Overview
Hope is a small city located in Arkansas, within Hempstead County. The total population is 8,671. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hope is 41.3 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hope is $37,500. This is 38% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.4%. 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 6.0%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $91,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Hope is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hope is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (32.0%) is well below the state average of 67.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (44.0% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.6% vs 9.0%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 80.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hope, 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 Hope, Arkansas?
Hope, Arkansas has a population of 8,671 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hope, AR?
The median household income in Hope is $37,500, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hope, AR?
The poverty rate in Hope is 23.4%. This means approximately 1,977 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hope, Arkansas?
Hope's population is 32.0% White, 44.0% Black, 18.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hope, AR?
The median home value in Hope is $91,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Hope, Arkansas?
14.2% of adults (25+) in Hope hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.