Oil Trough town, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Oil Trough town is a small community located in Arkansas, within Independence County. The total population is 281. It ranks as the 399th most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Oil Trough town is 19.5 years. This is 49% lower than the state median of 38.4 years. With 49.8% of the population under 18, Oil Trough town has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Oil Trough town is $37,778. This is 36% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 49.1%. This is 206% 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 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $84,000. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Oil Trough town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Oil Trough town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 14.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

16.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 91.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Oil Trough town, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 617 Census-designated places in Arkansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.