Patterson, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Patterson, Arkansas had a total population of 364, the 352nd largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $42,250, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 3.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Patterson Quick Facts
How Patterson 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 | 273 | 364 | +33.3% |
| Median household income | $49,750 | $42,250 | -15.1% |
How Patterson 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+)
Patterson Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Woodruff County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta | 1,859 | $50,575 | 28.7% | $117,000 |
| McCrory | 1,850 | $43,516 | 19.4% | $89,400 |
| Cotton Plant | 444 | $11,790 | 57.7% | $41,100 |
| Hunter | 100 | N/A | 6.0% | $91,800 |
Cities Similar to Patterson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee City | 369 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Vanndale | 356 | N/A | N/A | 5.7% | 40.7% |
| Perry | 356 | $41,354 | $73,300 | 7.9% | 28.6% |
| Calion | 355 | $41,417 | $89,400 | 14.2% | 15.5% |
| Wabbaseka | 360 | $38,917 | $56,100 | 22.1% | 8.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 364, Patterson'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
Patterson is a small community located in Arkansas, within Woodruff County. The total population is 364. It ranks as the 352nd most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Patterson is 39.7 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. With 28.3% of the population under 18, Patterson has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Patterson is $42,250. This is 30% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.6%. This is 79% 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 1.3%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. 64.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Patterson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 5.5%. The Black or African American population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 14.6%.
Education
3.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 86% 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 72.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Patterson, 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 Patterson, Arkansas?
Patterson, Arkansas has a population of 364 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Patterson, AR?
The median household income in Patterson is $42,250, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Patterson, AR?
The poverty rate in Patterson is 28.6%. This means approximately 104 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Patterson, Arkansas?
Patterson's population is 89.8% White, 5.5% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Patterson, AR?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Patterson — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Patterson, Arkansas?
3.6% of adults (25+) in Patterson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.