Reed, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Reed, Arkansas had a total population of 156, the 477th largest town in Arkansas, with a median household income of $31,125, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 22.9% is notably above the national average.
Reed Quick Facts
How Reed 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 | 140 | 156 | +11.4% |
| Median household income | $25,833 | $31,125 | +20.5% |
How Reed 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+)
Reed Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Desha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dumas | 3,768 | $34,787 | 33.9% | $84,400 |
| McGehee | 3,666 | $36,875 | 34.0% | $98,800 |
| Arkansas City | 456 | $41,900 | 16.7% | $104,700 |
| Mitchellville | 320 | $40,313 | 12.8% | $73,200 |
| Watson | 214 | $30,139 | 21.5% | $48,600 |
| Halley | 10 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Reed
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staves | 155 | N/A | $154,500 | 8.1% | 0.0% |
| Antoine | 159 | N/A | N/A | 6.1% | 24.5% |
| Urbana | 147 | N/A | N/A | 18.9% | 23.8% |
| Uniontown | 168 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Sunset | 153 | $27,614 | N/A | 4.2% | 21.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 156, Reed'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
Reed is a small community located in Arkansas, within Desha County. The total population is 156. It ranks as the 477th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Reed is 55.4 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. Only 14.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 34.6% 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 Reed is $31,125. This is 49% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 61% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.7%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 22.9%. This is 365% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. 86.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Reed has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 97.4% of all residents. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (97.4% vs 14.6%).
Education
11.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 82.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Reed, 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 Reed, Arkansas?
Reed, Arkansas has a population of 156 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Reed, AR?
The median household income in Reed is $31,125, which is 61% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Reed, AR?
The poverty rate in Reed is 14.7%. This means approximately 23 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Reed, Arkansas?
Reed's population is 0.0% White, 97.4% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Reed, AR?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Reed — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Reed, Arkansas?
11.9% of adults (25+) in Reed hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.