Van Buren city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Van Buren city, Arkansas has a total population of 23,545, the 21st largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $59,420, which is 1% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Van Buren city Quick Facts
How Van Buren city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 50 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Van Buren city Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Cities Similar to Van Buren city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Searcy city | 23,115 | $50,896 | $176,200 | 29.4% | 19.9% |
| West Memphis city | 24,147 | $41,860 | $119,100 | 14.8% | 27.0% |
| Cabot city | 26,733 | $72,656 | $197,000 | 25.8% | 10.8% |
| Paragould city | 29,940 | $56,181 | $175,400 | 16.3% | 16.8% |
| Bryant city | 21,125 | $83,219 | $223,400 | 37.3% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Van Buren city is a small city located in Arkansas. The total population is 23,545. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Van Buren city is 35.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Van Buren city is $59,420. This is 1% higher than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $178,000. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $175,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 62.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 66.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Van Buren city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.7%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 14.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.7% vs 8.8%).
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 87.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Van Buren 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 Van Buren city, Arkansas?
Van Buren city, Arkansas has a population of 23,545 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Van Buren city, AR?
The median household income in Van Buren city is $59,420, which is 24% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Van Buren city, AR?
The poverty rate in Van Buren city is 16.3%. This means approximately 3,757 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Van Buren city, Arkansas?
Van Buren city's population is 71.3% White, 1.5% Black, 15.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Van Buren city, AR?
The median home value in Van Buren city is $178,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Van Buren city, Arkansas?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Van Buren city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.