Mena, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mena, Arkansas had a total population of 5,582, the 65th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $47,428, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 9.4% is notably above the national average.
Mena Quick Facts
How Mena 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 | 5,605 | 5,582 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $50,875 | $47,428 | -6.8% |
| Median home value | $114,200 | $132,900 | +16.4% |
How Mena 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mena Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wickes | 694 | $27,411 | 41.3% | $45,000 |
| Grannis | 691 | $75,132 | 14.2% | $94,700 |
| Hatfield | 544 | $38,863 | 22.6% | $112,500 |
| Cove | 462 | $39,688 | 22.3% | $75,000 |
| Acorn | 203 | $93,811 | 0.0% | $299,200 |
| Vandervoort | 202 | $78,839 | 2.0% | $110,000 |
| Board Camp | 69 | N/A | 21.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Mena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Ridge | 5,434 | $45,027 | $117,900 | 22.9% | 25.6% |
| Berryville | 5,707 | $42,283 | $165,400 | 15.0% | 22.8% |
| De Queen | 6,058 | $52,522 | $109,600 | 7.9% | 17.2% |
| Warren | 5,353 | $36,788 | $76,700 | 12.5% | 22.1% |
| Greenbrier | 6,018 | $57,214 | $206,600 | 20.6% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Mena is a small city located in Arkansas, within Polk County. The total population is 5,582. It ranks as the 65th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mena is 42.7 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mena is $47,428. This is 22% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.4%. This is 90% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $132,900. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Mena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mena has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 89.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mena, 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 Mena, Arkansas?
Mena, Arkansas has a population of 5,582 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mena, AR?
The median household income in Mena is $47,428, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mena, AR?
The poverty rate in Mena is 13.9%. This means approximately 757 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mena, Arkansas?
Mena's population is 91.9% White, 0.1% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mena, AR?
The median home value in Mena is $132,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Mena, Arkansas?
18.4% of adults (25+) in Mena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.