Ola, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ola, Arkansas had a total population of 914, the 221st largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $32,679, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 46.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (46.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.3% 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 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.6% is notably above the national average.
Ola Quick Facts
How Ola 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 | 977 | 914 | -6.4% |
| Median household income | $40,250 | $32,679 | -18.8% |
| Median home value | $66,700 | $61,600 | -7.6% |
How Ola 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+)
Ola Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Yell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dardanelle | 4,511 | $51,040 | 11.1% | $138,600 |
| Danville | 2,289 | $64,420 | 26.0% | $122,700 |
| Plainview | 550 | $45,329 | 10.6% | $111,200 |
| Belleville | 517 | $66,401 | 3.7% | $105,400 |
| Havana | 343 | $53,000 | 36.7% | $81,900 |
| Centerville | 211 | N/A | 68.3% | N/A |
| Rover | 142 | $83,264 | 0.0% | $79,700 |
| Corinth | 38 | $40,469 | 13.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ola
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sardis | 890 | N/A | $178,000 | 15.5% | 45.3% |
| Sweet Home | 939 | N/A | $163,800 | 22.8% | 48.1% |
| Magnet Cove | 889 | N/A | $156,700 | 16.7% | 34.5% |
| Coal Hill | 892 | $39,148 | $104,700 | 7.5% | 36.1% |
| Hardy | 890 | $26,932 | $58,600 | 11.3% | 27.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 914, Ola's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Ola is a small community located in Arkansas, within Yell County. The total population is 914. It ranks as the 221st most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ola is 36.0 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ola is $32,679. This is 46% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 46.6%. This is 192% 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 10.6%. This is 114% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $61,600. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Ola is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 37.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ola has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.1%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
6.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ola, 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 Ola, Arkansas?
Ola, Arkansas has a population of 914 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ola, AR?
The median household income in Ola is $32,679, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ola, AR?
The poverty rate in Ola is 46.6%. This means approximately 410 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ola, Arkansas?
Ola's population is 93.3% White, 0.7% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ola, AR?
The median home value in Ola is $61,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Ola, Arkansas?
6.3% of adults (25+) in Ola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.