Jackson County, Arkansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Jackson County is located in Arkansas with a total population of 16,775. It is the 44th most populous county out of 75 in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jackson County is 40.4 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jackson County is $41,215. This is 30% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 48% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.2%. This is 32% 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 9.7%. This is 90% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $87,300. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Jackson County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Jackson County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 8.8%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 83.8%.