Hot Springs, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hot Springs, Arkansas had a total population of 37,920, the 11th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $47,760, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Hot Springs Quick Facts
How Hot Springs 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 | 38,023 | 37,920 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $46,441 | $47,760 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $156,900 | $165,500 | +5.5% |
How Hot Springs 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hot Springs Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Garland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piney | 4,458 | $50,901 | 28.5% | $134,400 |
| Rockwell | 3,986 | $63,500 | 11.6% | $289,800 |
| Lake Hamilton | 2,127 | $73,696 | 12.5% | $405,900 |
| Mountain Pine | 555 | $49,013 | 19.8% | N/A |
| Fountain Lake | 548 | $60,093 | 24.6% | $164,300 |
| Pearcy | 363 | $30,278 | 20.1% | $53,400 |
| Lonsdale | 211 | $68,590 | 0.9% | $161,900 |
| Crystal Springs | 85 | N/A | 30.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Hot Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Bluff | 39,743 | $42,718 | $89,400 | 20.2% | 24.0% |
| Benton | 36,595 | $72,876 | $212,700 | 28.3% | 8.1% |
| Jacksonville | 29,221 | $49,666 | $163,400 | 22.1% | 19.8% |
| Texarkana | 29,177 | $45,835 | $170,200 | 15.4% | 25.8% |
| Russellville | 29,162 | $50,877 | $172,400 | 28.8% | 20.8% |
Population Overview
Hot Springs is a mid-sized community located in Arkansas, within Garland County. The total population is 37,920. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hot Springs is 45.3 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. 11.7% 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 is $47,760. This is 21% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 29% 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 4.8%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $165,500. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 57.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hot Springs is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.6%.
Education
26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% higher 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 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hot Springs, 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.
Free data download: Get all Arkansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hot Springs, Arkansas?
Hot Springs, Arkansas has a population of 37,920 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hot Springs, AR?
The median household income in Hot Springs is $47,760, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hot Springs, AR?
The poverty rate in Hot Springs is 20.5%. This means approximately 7,642 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hot Springs, Arkansas?
Hot Springs's population is 66.6% White, 15.6% Black, 10.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hot Springs, AR?
The median home value in Hot Springs is $165,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Hot Springs, Arkansas?
26.1% of adults (25+) in Hot Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.