Little Rock, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Little Rock, Arkansas had a total population of 203,436, the 1st largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $63,003, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Little Rock is the 1st largest city in Arkansas with a population of 203,436.
- 44.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Arkansas.
Little Rock Quick Facts
How Little Rock 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 | 202,739 | 203,436 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $63,003 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $221,200 | $236,400 | +6.9% |
How Little Rock 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Little Rock Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Pulaski County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Little Rock | 64,538 | $52,707 | 20.3% | $178,900 |
| Sherwood | 33,070 | $81,328 | 9.0% | $199,500 |
| Jacksonville | 29,221 | $49,666 | 19.8% | $163,400 |
| Maumelle | 19,373 | $103,333 | 7.1% | $291,700 |
| Gibson | 4,167 | $66,496 | 10.7% | $157,800 |
| Landmark | 3,948 | $53,788 | 40.8% | $156,600 |
| Alexander | 3,587 | $57,250 | 27.5% | $174,000 |
| Wrightsville | 1,484 | $45,417 | 16.4% | $62,900 |
| Roland | 1,147 | $175,125 | 0.0% | $340,800 |
| McAlmont | 1,088 | $34,696 | 34.2% | $209,900 |
Cities Similar to Little Rock
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | 99,319 | $62,695 | $349,600 | 49.0% | 20.6% |
| Fort Smith | 89,805 | $54,816 | $178,100 | 23.9% | 18.3% |
| Springdale | 88,160 | $69,787 | $261,800 | 24.2% | 13.4% |
| Jonesboro | 80,137 | $55,424 | $223,200 | 31.8% | 22.8% |
| Conway | 67,642 | $63,004 | $252,100 | 42.6% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Little Rock is a major urban center located in Arkansas, within Pulaski County. The total population is 203,436. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Little Rock is 35.9 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Little Rock is $63,003. This is 4% higher than the state median of $60,773. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $236,400. Housing costs are 26% higher than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 53.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Little Rock is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 39.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.7% vs 14.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.0% vs 1.6%).
Education
44.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Little Rock in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 73% 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 92.7%. Notably, 18.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Little Rock, 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 Little Rock, Arkansas?
Little Rock, Arkansas has a population of 203,436 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Little Rock, AR?
The median household income in Little Rock is $63,003, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Little Rock, AR?
The poverty rate in Little Rock is 17.5%. This means approximately 34,798 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Little Rock, Arkansas?
Little Rock's population is 42.7% White, 39.7% Black, 10.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Little Rock, AR?
The median home value in Little Rock is $236,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Little Rock, Arkansas?
44.6% of adults (25+) in Little Rock hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.