Newport, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Newport, Arkansas had a total population of 8,024, the 49th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $34,764, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Newport Quick Facts
How Newport 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 | 8,019 | 8,024 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $32,693 | $34,764 | +6.3% |
| Median home value | $132,200 | $162,600 | +23.0% |
How Newport 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Newport Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuckerman | 1,442 | $45,484 | 15.3% | $102,500 |
| Diaz | 1,337 | $49,120 | 25.1% | $87,200 |
| Swifton | 1,101 | $58,000 | 29.4% | $80,000 |
| Grubbs | 431 | $78,750 | 17.8% | N/A |
| Campbell Station | 311 | $61,875 | 12.0% | $95,100 |
| Weldon | 136 | $54,583 | 1.5% | N/A |
| Jacksonport | 115 | $40,104 | 27.8% | $80,600 |
| Tupelo | 86 | $153,750 | 22.1% | $84,300 |
| Beedeville | 44 | N/A | 18.2% | $72,100 |
| Amagon | 31 | N/A | 22.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Newport
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hope | 8,671 | $37,500 | $91,900 | 14.2% | 23.4% |
| Wynne | 8,120 | $43,250 | $141,100 | 21.8% | 24.7% |
| Helena-West Helena | 8,935 | $36,019 | $73,200 | 15.3% | 31.7% |
| Trumann | 7,410 | $38,881 | $112,300 | 11.4% | 25.4% |
| Monticello | 8,257 | $27,238 | $137,500 | 31.1% | 30.1% |
Population Overview
Newport is a small city located in Arkansas, within Jackson County. The total population is 8,024. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Newport is 38.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Newport is $34,764. This is 43% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.4%. This is 90% 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 8.7%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $162,600. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 55.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Newport is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 24.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (24.9% vs 14.6%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 82.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Newport, 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 Newport, Arkansas?
Newport, Arkansas has a population of 8,024 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Newport, AR?
The median household income in Newport is $34,764, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Newport, AR?
The poverty rate in Newport is 30.4%. This means approximately 1,720 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Newport, Arkansas?
Newport's population is 62.2% White, 24.9% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Newport, AR?
The median home value in Newport is $162,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Newport, Arkansas?
12.3% of adults (25+) in Newport hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.