Marvell, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marvell, Arkansas had a total population of 1,160, the 196th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $51,875, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 25.5% is notably above the national average.
Marvell Quick Facts
How Marvell 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 | 1,008 | 1,160 | +15.1% |
| Median household income | $49,000 | $51,875 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $59,100 | $58,200 | -1.5% |
How Marvell 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+)
Marvell Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Phillips County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena-West Helena | 8,935 | $36,019 | 31.7% | $73,200 |
| Elaine | 487 | $29,792 | 23.8% | $64,800 |
| Lake View | 357 | $27,857 | 20.0% | $57,000 |
| Poplar Grove | 255 | N/A | 46.7% | N/A |
| Lexa | 138 | $45,089 | 0.0% | $93,100 |
Cities Similar to Marvell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansfield | 1,204 | $53,068 | $113,500 | 12.5% | 23.5% |
| Genoa | 1,113 | $49,183 | $105,900 | 13.5% | 19.4% |
| London | 1,217 | $49,688 | $99,800 | 25.4% | 24.8% |
| Marmaduke | 1,240 | $51,250 | $112,200 | 13.9% | 23.7% |
| Horatio | 1,196 | $45,750 | $122,700 | 17.9% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Marvell is a small community located in Arkansas, within Phillips County. The total population is 1,160. It ranks as the 196th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marvell is 37.5 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.5 years. With 29.7% of the population under 18, Marvell has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Marvell is $51,875. This is 15% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.6%. This is 73% 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 25.5%. This is 417% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $58,200. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Marvell is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Marvell is Black or African American, making up 60.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (26.2%) is well below the state average of 67.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (60.5% vs 14.6%).
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marvell, 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 Marvell, Arkansas?
Marvell, Arkansas has a population of 1,160 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marvell, AR?
The median household income in Marvell is $51,875, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marvell, AR?
The poverty rate in Marvell is 27.6%. This means approximately 320 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marvell, Arkansas?
Marvell's population is 26.2% White, 60.5% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marvell, AR?
The median home value in Marvell is $58,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Marvell, Arkansas?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Marvell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.