Malvern, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Malvern, Arkansas had a total population of 10,953, the 35th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $46,250, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Malvern Quick Facts
How Malvern 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 | 10,938 | 10,953 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $40,602 | $46,250 | +13.9% |
| Median home value | $95,500 | $104,500 | +9.4% |
How Malvern 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+)
Malvern Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Hot Spring County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnet Cove | 889 | N/A | 34.5% | $156,700 |
| Rockport | 800 | $68,750 | 35.3% | $140,300 |
| Midway | 728 | $96,250 | 5.2% | $160,400 |
| Donaldson | 377 | $66,250 | 6.6% | $85,000 |
| Jones Mills | 230 | $53,750 | 7.8% | $156,100 |
| Friendship | 168 | $55,625 | 9.5% | $163,800 |
| Perla | 141 | $47,500 | 34.8% | $87,500 |
| Bismarck | 41 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Malvern
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | 10,307 | $49,361 | $107,400 | 18.4% | 20.5% |
| Batesville | 11,445 | $51,856 | $163,600 | 21.8% | 26.3% |
| Magnolia | 10,894 | $56,127 | $169,300 | 23.0% | 22.7% |
| Arkadelphia | 10,099 | $48,657 | $179,300 | 32.8% | 28.9% |
| Blytheville | 12,790 | $47,865 | $119,000 | 16.8% | 24.2% |
Population Overview
Malvern is a small city located in Arkansas, within Hot Spring County. The total population is 10,953. It ranks as the 35th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Malvern is 39.4 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Malvern is $46,250. This is 24% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 27% 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 5.6%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $104,500. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Malvern is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Malvern is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 30.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (30.2% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
12.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower 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 84.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Malvern, 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 Malvern, Arkansas?
Malvern, Arkansas has a population of 10,953 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Malvern, AR?
The median household income in Malvern is $46,250, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Malvern, AR?
The poverty rate in Malvern is 20.2%. This means approximately 1,762 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Malvern, Arkansas?
Malvern's population is 61.8% White, 30.2% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Malvern, AR?
The median home value in Malvern is $104,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Malvern, Arkansas?
12.9% of adults (25+) in Malvern hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.