Prairie County, Arkansas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Prairie County is located in Arkansas with a total population of 8,162. It is the 67th most populous county out of 75 in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Prairie County is 45.8 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 38.4 years. 11.3% 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 Prairie County is $51,094. This is 13% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.4%. This is 42% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $87,500. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Prairie County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Prairie County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 85.9%.