McNeil, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McNeil, Arkansas had a total population of 419, the 332nd largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $37,895, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 33.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Arkansas.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
McNeil Quick Facts
How McNeil 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 | 406 | 419 | +3.2% |
| Median household income | $34,792 | $37,895 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $65,000 | $72,800 | +12.0% |
How McNeil 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+)
McNeil Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
Cities Similar to McNeil
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparkman | 430 | $39,063 | $74,300 | 10.9% | 17.2% |
| Western Grove | 438 | $38,365 | $146,000 | 13.0% | 28.8% |
| Strong | 434 | $36,063 | $66,600 | 8.8% | 35.9% |
| Henderson | 415 | $43,767 | $188,600 | 31.2% | 6.8% |
| Leola | 414 | $44,063 | $51,900 | 6.3% | 14.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 419, McNeil's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
McNeil is a small community located in Arkansas, within Columbia County. The total population is 419. It ranks as the 332nd most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in McNeil is 39.8 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McNeil is $37,895. This is 38% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.5%. This is 72% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in McNeil, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $72,800. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, McNeil is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in McNeil is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 43.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (43.0% vs 14.6%).
Education
33.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places McNeil in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 29% 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 98.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McNeil, 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 McNeil, Arkansas?
McNeil, Arkansas has a population of 419 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McNeil, AR?
The median household income in McNeil is $37,895, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McNeil, AR?
The poverty rate in McNeil is 27.5%. This means approximately 115 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McNeil, Arkansas?
McNeil's population is 50.1% White, 43.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in McNeil, AR?
The median home value in McNeil is $72,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is McNeil, Arkansas?
33.1% of adults (25+) in McNeil hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.