Malvern city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Malvern city, Arkansas has a total population of 10,938, the 36th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $40,602, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Malvern city Quick Facts
How Malvern city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 50 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Malvern city Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Cities Similar to Malvern city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnolia city | 10,973 | $42,188 | $166,500 | 20.7% | 25.8% |
| Arkadelphia city | 10,316 | $42,430 | $176,000 | 31.9% | 28.0% |
| Camden city | 10,427 | $51,300 | $108,800 | 18.0% | 18.6% |
| Clarksville city | 9,500 | $37,848 | $159,700 | 19.2% | 24.4% |
| Batesville city | 11,385 | $54,424 | $159,200 | 20.7% | 24.4% |
Population Overview
Malvern city is a small city located in Arkansas. The total population is 10,938. It ranks as the 36th most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Malvern city is 38.3 years. This is about average than the state median of 38.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Malvern city is $40,602. This is 31% 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 21.1%. 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 5.0%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $95,500. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Malvern city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 66.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Malvern city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.3% vs 14.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.
Education
10.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Malvern 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Malvern city, Arkansas?
Malvern city, Arkansas has a population of 10,938 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Malvern city, AR?
The median household income in Malvern city is $40,602, which is 48% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Malvern city, AR?
The poverty rate in Malvern city is 21.1%. This means approximately 1,837 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Malvern city, Arkansas?
Malvern city's population is 60.5% White, 32.3% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Malvern city, AR?
The median home value in Malvern city is $95,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Malvern city, Arkansas?
10.7% of adults (25+) in Malvern city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.