Jonesboro, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jonesboro, Arkansas had a total population of 80,137, the 5th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $55,424, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Jonesboro is the 5th largest city in Arkansas with a population of 80,137.
- 31.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Arkansas.
Jonesboro Quick Facts
How Jonesboro 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 | 79,187 | 80,137 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $52,559 | $55,424 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $213,400 | $223,200 | +4.6% |
How Jonesboro 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+)
Jonesboro Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Craighead County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookland | 4,377 | $57,308 | 12.5% | $169,200 |
| Bono | 2,657 | $56,098 | 17.1% | $162,100 |
| Lake City | 2,531 | $60,273 | 12.3% | $152,000 |
| Bay | 2,333 | $59,769 | 14.8% | $118,400 |
| Monette | 1,251 | $54,167 | 10.3% | $114,200 |
| Caraway | 1,087 | $38,558 | 19.5% | $85,900 |
| Cash | 278 | $49,500 | 37.7% | $90,300 |
| Black Oak | 179 | $54,643 | 22.6% | $68,400 |
| Egypt | 57 | $28,750 | 35.1% | $75,000 |
| Bowman | 30 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Jonesboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | 89,805 | $54,816 | $178,100 | 23.9% | 18.3% |
| Springdale | 88,160 | $69,787 | $261,800 | 24.2% | 13.4% |
| Conway | 67,642 | $63,004 | $252,100 | 42.6% | 16.9% |
| North Little Rock | 64,538 | $52,707 | $178,900 | 30.6% | 20.3% |
| Fayetteville | 99,319 | $62,695 | $349,600 | 49.0% | 20.6% |
Population Overview
Jonesboro is a mid-sized community located in Arkansas, within Craighead County. The total population is 80,137. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jonesboro is 33.9 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jonesboro is $55,424. This is 9% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.8%. This is 43% 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 6.3%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $223,200. Housing costs are 19% higher than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 54.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Jonesboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.7% vs 14.6%).
Education
31.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Jonesboro in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 24% 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 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, Arkansas?
Jonesboro, Arkansas has a population of 80,137 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jonesboro, AR?
The median household income in Jonesboro is $55,424, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jonesboro, AR?
The poverty rate in Jonesboro is 22.8%. This means approximately 17,505 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jonesboro, Arkansas?
Jonesboro's population is 63.0% White, 22.7% Black, 7.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jonesboro, AR?
The median home value in Jonesboro is $223,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Jonesboro, Arkansas?
31.8% of adults (25+) in Jonesboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.