Hot Springs city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Hot Springs city is a mid-sized community located in Arkansas. The total population is 38,023. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hot Springs city is 45.1 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.4 years. 11.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hot Springs city is $46,441. This is 21% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 33% 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 5.5%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $156,900. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $175,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 57.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Hot Springs city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.0%.

Education

27.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher 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 88.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Hot Springs 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.