Ouachita County, Arkansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Ouachita County is located in Arkansas with a total population of 22,317. It is the 29th most populous county out of 75 in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ouachita County is 44.0 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ouachita County is $49,838. This is 15% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 12% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $99,600. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Ouachita County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Ouachita County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.2% 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 14.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 8.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 88.9%.