Phillips County, Arkansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Phillips County is located in Arkansas with a total population of 15,910. It is the 49th most populous county out of 75 in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Phillips County is 39.9 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Phillips County is $38,874. This is 34% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 51% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.7%. 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 15.8%. This is 211% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $76,200. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Phillips County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Phillips County is Black or African American, making up 61.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (33.2%) is well below the state average of 68.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (61.3% vs 14.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

14.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 82.6%.