Skip to main content

Jonesboro city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

★
5th Largest5th most populous city in Arkansas

As of 2026, Jonesboro city, Arkansas has a total population of 79,187, the 5th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $52,559, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.4%.

Key Takeaways

Jonesboro city Quick Facts

Population 79,187
Median Household Income $52,559
Median Home Value $213,400
Poverty Rate 22.4%
Unemployment Rate 6.8%
Median Age 33.7 years
Homeownership Rate 52.6%
Affordability Ratio 4.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 29.8%
High School Graduation Rate 90.9%
Diversity Index 53/100
Population 79,187 5th of 617
Median Income $52,559 above average
Poverty Rate 22.4% 80% higher national
Median Home Value $213,400 top 10%

How Jonesboro city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.8% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1% | National: 5.2%
62.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 52.6%
Renter 47.4%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.1x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

53out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 50 | National average: 60

Education

Jonesboro city Rankings in Arkansas

#5 Population of 617
#212 Median Income of 617
#67 Education of 617
#43 Home Value of 617

Explore Arkansas Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Jonesboro city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Fort Smith city89,496$52,692$168,10025.3%18.3%
Springdale city87,388$66,044$237,20023.2%13.7%
North Little Rock city64,504$51,236$169,50030.1%20.8%
Conway city66,288$58,461$234,60041.1%18.3%
Fayetteville city97,227$59,074$322,50049.8%21.4%

Population Overview

Jonesboro city is a mid-sized community located in Arkansas. The total population is 79,187. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jonesboro city is 33.7 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jonesboro city is $52,559. This is 11% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.4%. This is 40% 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 6.8%. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $213,400. Housing costs are 22% higher than the state median of $175,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 52.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Jonesboro city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.6% vs 14.8%).

Education

29.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 90.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Jonesboro 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.

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 Jonesboro city, Arkansas?

Jonesboro city, Arkansas has a population of 79,187 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Jonesboro city, AR?

The median household income in Jonesboro city is $52,559, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Jonesboro city, AR?

The poverty rate in Jonesboro city is 22.4%. This means approximately 16,976 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Jonesboro city, Arkansas?

Jonesboro city's population is 64.3% White, 22.6% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.

What is the median home value in Jonesboro city, AR?

The median home value in Jonesboro city is $213,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.

How educated is Jonesboro city, Arkansas?

29.8% of adults (25+) in Jonesboro city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.