Van Buren, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Van Buren, Arkansas had a total population of 23,763, the 21st largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $61,149, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Van Buren Quick Facts
How Van Buren 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 | 23,545 | 23,763 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $59,420 | $61,149 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $178,000 | $181,500 | +2.0% |
How Van Buren 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+)
Van Buren Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Crawford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alma | 5,906 | $68,562 | 27.3% | $233,600 |
| Cedarville | 1,760 | $59,740 | 9.6% | $165,100 |
| Mulberry | 1,646 | $50,428 | 16.4% | $135,900 |
| Kibler | 1,085 | $58,500 | 9.5% | $210,100 |
| Dyer | 1,049 | $94,327 | 16.4% | $230,300 |
| Mountainburg | 566 | $53,068 | 20.7% | $122,900 |
| Rudy | 178 | $56,181 | 29.2% | $227,100 |
| Uniontown | 168 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Chester | 76 | $29,250 | 19.7% | N/A |
| Dora | 74 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Van Buren
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Searcy | 23,340 | $52,170 | $188,500 | 29.6% | 18.8% |
| West Memphis | 23,929 | $42,674 | $120,100 | 13.9% | 29.1% |
| Cabot | 26,960 | $75,000 | $207,300 | 25.9% | 11.2% |
| Bryant | 21,504 | $83,024 | $223,200 | 37.7% | 5.6% |
| Paragould | 30,215 | $56,980 | $181,500 | 16.1% | 17.8% |
Population Overview
Van Buren is a small city located in Arkansas, within Crawford County. The total population is 23,763. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Van Buren is 36.5 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Van Buren is $61,149. This is about the same as the state median of $60,773. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $181,500. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Van Buren is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.7%. The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.7% vs 9.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.6% vs 1.6%).
Education
20.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Van Buren, 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 Van Buren, Arkansas?
Van Buren, Arkansas has a population of 23,763 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Van Buren, AR?
The median household income in Van Buren is $61,149, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Van Buren, AR?
The poverty rate in Van Buren is 15.3%. This means approximately 3,574 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Van Buren, Arkansas?
Van Buren's population is 69.3% White, 2.0% Black, 15.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Van Buren, AR?
The median home value in Van Buren is $181,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Van Buren, Arkansas?
20.9% of adults (25+) in Van Buren hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.