Watson, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 214, Watson's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.

Population Overview

Watson is a small community located in Arkansas, within Desha County. The total population is 214. It ranks as the 430th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Watson is 57.8 years. This is 50% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. Only 9.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 23.4% 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 Watson is $30,139. This is 50% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 63% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.5%. This is 34% 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 4.8%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $48,600. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Watson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Watson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.8%.

Education

12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 78.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Watson, 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.