Newark, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Newark, Arkansas had a total population of 1,637, the 168th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $40,417, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Newark Quick Facts
How Newark 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 | 1,522 | 1,637 | +7.6% |
| Median household income | $34,770 | $40,417 | +16.2% |
| Median home value | $96,000 | $96,300 | +0.3% |
How Newark 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+)
Newark Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Independence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batesville | 11,445 | $51,856 | 26.3% | $163,600 |
| Southside | 4,246 | $65,655 | 17.5% | $151,300 |
| Cave City | 2,090 | $49,800 | 19.7% | $120,700 |
| Sulphur Rock | 1,014 | $96,429 | 10.3% | N/A |
| Desha | 679 | $68,403 | 17.1% | $117,600 |
| Salado | 507 | $39,355 | 1.4% | $221,800 |
| Cushman | 488 | $43,500 | 20.7% | $115,100 |
| Pleasant Plains | 376 | $59,531 | 11.4% | $118,800 |
| Oil Trough | 259 | $40,083 | 40.2% | $83,100 |
| Magness | 238 | $42,500 | 14.7% | $115,000 |
Cities Similar to Newark
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 1,620 | $40,833 | $105,900 | 11.7% | 29.1% |
| Bull Shoals | 1,678 | $41,976 | $158,100 | 17.2% | 14.6% |
| Gurdon | 1,625 | $47,587 | $111,600 | 16.9% | 17.2% |
| Decatur | 1,567 | $45,179 | $157,600 | 9.0% | 11.8% |
| Mulberry | 1,646 | $50,428 | $135,900 | 10.6% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Newark is a small community located in Arkansas, within Independence County. The total population is 1,637. It ranks as the 168th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Newark is 32.0 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Newark is $40,417. This is 33% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.5%. This is 84% 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 3.5%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $96,300. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Newark is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Newark has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.8%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 14.6%.
Education
7.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% 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 74.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Newark, 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.
Free data download: Get all Arkansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Newark, Arkansas?
Newark, Arkansas has a population of 1,637 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Newark, AR?
The median household income in Newark is $40,417, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Newark, AR?
The poverty rate in Newark is 29.5%. This means approximately 481 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Newark, Arkansas?
Newark's population is 88.8% White, 1.8% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Newark, AR?
The median home value in Newark is $96,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Newark, Arkansas?
7.2% of adults (25+) in Newark hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.