Monticello, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Monticello, Arkansas had a total population of 8,257, the 46th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $27,238, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 31.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Arkansas.
- Unemployment rate of 9.7% is notably above the national average.
Monticello Quick Facts
How Monticello 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 | 8,320 | 8,257 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $27,998 | $27,238 | -2.7% |
| Median home value | $128,900 | $137,500 | +6.7% |
How Monticello 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+)
Monticello Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Drew County
Cities Similar to Monticello
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport | 8,024 | $34,764 | $162,600 | 12.3% | 30.4% |
| Hope | 8,671 | $37,500 | $91,900 | 14.2% | 23.4% |
| Helena-West Helena | 8,935 | $36,019 | $73,200 | 15.3% | 31.7% |
| Wynne | 8,120 | $43,250 | $141,100 | 21.8% | 24.7% |
| Trumann | 7,410 | $38,881 | $112,300 | 11.4% | 25.4% |
Population Overview
Monticello is a small city located in Arkansas, within Drew County. The total population is 8,257. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Monticello is 35.3 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Monticello is $27,238. This is 55% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 66% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.1%. This is 88% 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 9.7%. This is 95% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $137,500. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 46.0% 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 Monticello is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 41.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.0% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Monticello in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 21% 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 91.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Monticello, 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 Monticello, Arkansas?
Monticello, Arkansas has a population of 8,257 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Monticello, AR?
The median household income in Monticello is $27,238, which is 66% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Monticello, AR?
The poverty rate in Monticello is 30.1%. This means approximately 2,284 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Monticello, Arkansas?
Monticello's population is 52.6% White, 41.0% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Monticello, AR?
The median home value in Monticello is $137,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Monticello, Arkansas?
31.1% of adults (25+) in Monticello hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.