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Rison city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 44.3% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Rison city, Arkansas has a total population of 966, the 215th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $24,911, which is 58% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 44.3%.

Key Takeaways

Rison city Quick Facts

Population 966
Median Household Income $24,911
Median Home Value $115,600
Poverty Rate 44.3%
Unemployment Rate 2.5%
Median Age 39.9 years
Homeownership Rate 45.6%
Affordability Ratio 4.6x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 15.8%
High School Graduation Rate 86.6%
Diversity Index 52/100
Population 966 215th of 617
Median Income $24,911 bottom 10%
Poverty Rate 44.3% 256% higher national
Median Home Value $115,600 average

How Rison city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

2.5% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1% | National: 5.2%
35.1% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 45.6%
Renter 54.4%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.6x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

52out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 50 | National average: 60

Education

Rison city Rankings in Arkansas

#215 Population of 617
#511 Median Income of 617
#228 Education of 617
#226 Home Value of 617

Cities Similar to Rison city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Lewisville city937$24,552$72,5007.0%33.0%
Hughes city898$26,850$74,0006.5%42.4%
Wickes town895$28,429$70,9007.6%39.4%
Cotter city955$33,250$162,00016.1%16.5%
Magnet Cove CDP818N/A$154,60011.1%46.9%

Population Overview

Rison city is a small community located in Arkansas. The total population is 966. It ranks as the 215th most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Rison city is 39.9 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.4 years. 13.0% 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 Rison city is $24,911. This is 58% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 68% lower. The poverty rate stands at 44.3%. This is 176% 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 2.5%. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $115,600. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $175,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 45.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Rison city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 45.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.0% vs 14.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 8.8%.

Education

15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 86.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Rison city, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 617 Census-designated places in Arkansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Rison city, Arkansas?

Rison city, Arkansas has a population of 966 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Rison city, AR?

The median household income in Rison city is $24,911, which is 68% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Rison city, AR?

The poverty rate in Rison city is 44.3%. This means approximately 393 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Rison city, Arkansas?

Rison city's population is 52.4% White, 45.0% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Rison city, AR?

The median home value in Rison city is $115,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.

How educated is Rison city, Arkansas?

15.8% of adults (25+) in Rison city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.