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Lamar, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lamar, Arkansas had a total population of 1,783, the 161st largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $50,568, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.7%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Lamar Quick Facts

Population 1,783
Median Household Income $50,568
Median Home Value $161,700
Poverty Rate 22.7%
Unemployment Rate 1.8%
Median Age 35.5 years
Homeownership Rate 73.8%
Affordability Ratio 3.2x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 26.4%
High School Graduation Rate 86.6%
Diversity Index 24/100
Population 1,783 161st of 614
Median Income $50,568 average
Poverty Rate 22.7% 82% higher than national
Median Home Value $161,700 top 30%

How Lamar Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population1,8261,783-2.4%
Median household income$41,579$50,568+21.6%
Median home value$139,500$161,700+15.9%

How Lamar Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 26.7%
$25K-$50K 22.9%
$50K-$100K 29.5%
$100K+ 20.8%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.1%
$10K-$15K
15.2%
$15K-$20K
4.0%
$20K-$25K
2.5%
$25K-$30K
5.5%
$30K-$35K
7.1%
$35K-$40K
2.7%
$40K-$45K
3.2%
$45K-$50K
4.4%
$50K-$60K
7.7%
$60K-$75K
4.0%
$75K-$100K
17.8%
$100K-$125K
7.4%
$125K-$150K
4.4%
$150K-$200K
3.2%
$200K+
5.9%

Employment

1.8% Unemployment Rate State: 4.9%|National: 5.2%
54.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 73.8%
Renter 26.2%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.2x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $548/mo 13.0% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

24out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 51 | National average: 61

Education

Lamar Rankings in Arkansas

#161 Population of 614
#252 Median Income of 526
#90 Education of 614
#149 Home Value of 524

Other Cities in Johnson County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Clarksville 9,526 $37,373 27.6% $164,800
Coal Hill 892 $39,148 36.1% $104,700
Hartman 678 $36,667 36.5% $127,500
Knoxville 663 $45,714 25.5% $125,700
Ozone 194 N/A 32.0% N/A
Hagarville 89 $48,953 0.0% $104,300
Oark 18 N/A 0.0% N/A

Cities Similar to Lamar

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Augusta1,859$50,575$117,00012.2%28.7%
Murfreesboro1,819$53,264$119,30019.7%20.7%
Leachville1,852$51,406$111,80014.3%27.2%
Rector1,750$47,760$91,30016.5%20.2%
Hazen1,874$49,225$134,40018.3%14.7%

Population Overview

Lamar is a small community located in Arkansas, within Johnson County. The total population is 1,783. It ranks as the 161st most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lamar is 35.5 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.5 years. With 32.3% of the population under 18, Lamar has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lamar is $50,568. This is 17% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.7%. This is 42% 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 1.8%. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $161,700. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 73.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Lamar has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.8%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.

Education

26.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 86.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Lamar, 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 Lamar, Arkansas?

Lamar, Arkansas has a population of 1,783 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Lamar, AR?

The median household income in Lamar is $50,568, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Lamar, AR?

The poverty rate in Lamar is 22.7%. This means approximately 387 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Lamar, Arkansas?

Lamar's population is 86.5% White, 1.5% Black, 5.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.

What is the median home value in Lamar, AR?

The median home value in Lamar is $161,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.

How educated is Lamar, Arkansas?

26.4% of adults (25+) in Lamar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.