Monroe County, Arkansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Monroe County is located in Arkansas with a total population of 6,681. It is the 71st most populous county out of 75 in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Monroe County is 45.5 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Monroe County is $43,955. This is 25% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.2%. This is 38% 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 9.4%. This is 85% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $82,200. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Monroe County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Monroe County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.2% vs 14.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 83.4%.