Rison, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rison, Arkansas had a total population of 1,019, the 216th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $35,855, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 46.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (46.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
Rison Quick Facts
How Rison 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 | 966 | 1,019 | +5.5% |
| Median household income | $24,911 | $35,855 | +43.9% |
| Median home value | $115,600 | $115,500 | -0.1% |
How Rison 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rison Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Cleveland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsland | 406 | $27,500 | 34.7% | $67,500 |
| Rye | 223 | $72,875 | 2.2% | $128,300 |
| Woodlawn | 197 | $68,313 | 12.7% | $219,200 |
| New Edinburg | 182 | $73,947 | 0.0% | $147,600 |
| Staves | 155 | N/A | 0.0% | $154,500 |
Cities Similar to Rison
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Camden | 1,026 | $37,500 | $110,400 | 13.6% | 6.6% |
| Cotter | 1,063 | $35,792 | $193,100 | 16.1% | 13.0% |
| Sweet Home | 939 | N/A | $163,800 | 22.8% | 48.1% |
| McAlmont | 1,088 | $34,696 | $209,900 | 24.0% | 34.2% |
| Caraway | 1,087 | $38,558 | $85,900 | 8.3% | 19.5% |
Population Overview
Rison is a small community located in Arkansas, within Cleveland County. The total population is 1,019. It ranks as the 216th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rison is 37.5 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.5 years. 12.8% 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 is $35,855. This is 41% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 46.3%. This is 189% 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 4.9%. The median home value is $115,500. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 49.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rison is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 48.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (48.5% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
16.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rison, 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 Rison, Arkansas?
Rison, Arkansas has a population of 1,019 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rison, AR?
The median household income in Rison is $35,855, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rison, AR?
The poverty rate in Rison is 46.3%. This means approximately 436 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rison, Arkansas?
Rison's population is 49.6% White, 48.5% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rison, AR?
The median home value in Rison is $115,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Rison, Arkansas?
16.0% of adults (25+) in Rison hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.