Waldo, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waldo, Arkansas had a total population of 1,144, the 198th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $40,500, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 4.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
Waldo Quick Facts
How Waldo 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 | 1,159 | 1,144 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $43,958 | $40,500 | -7.9% |
| Median home value | $91,000 | $61,800 | -32.1% |
How Waldo 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+)
Waldo Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Columbia County
Cities Similar to Waldo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumerville | 1,128 | $42,552 | $122,000 | 19.9% | 21.6% |
| Hackett | 1,118 | $44,081 | $136,700 | 12.7% | 18.7% |
| Caraway | 1,087 | $38,558 | $85,900 | 8.3% | 19.5% |
| Ash Flat | 1,217 | $41,667 | $94,000 | 13.4% | 22.4% |
| Yellville | 1,223 | $37,813 | $117,300 | 12.9% | 15.8% |
Population Overview
Waldo is a small community located in Arkansas, within Columbia County. The total population is 1,144. It ranks as the 198th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waldo is 44.6 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waldo is $40,500. This is 33% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 48% 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 3.7%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $61,800. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Waldo is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waldo is Black or African American, making up 71.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (26.6%) is well below the state average of 67.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (71.3% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
4.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% 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 84.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waldo, 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 Waldo, Arkansas?
Waldo, Arkansas has a population of 1,144 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waldo, AR?
The median household income in Waldo is $40,500, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waldo, AR?
The poverty rate in Waldo is 23.7%. This means approximately 271 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waldo, Arkansas?
Waldo's population is 26.6% White, 71.3% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waldo, AR?
The median home value in Waldo is $61,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Waldo, Arkansas?
4.9% of adults (25+) in Waldo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.