West Memphis, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Memphis, Arkansas had a total population of 23,929, the 20th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $42,674, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 14.5% is notably above the national average.
West Memphis Quick Facts
How West Memphis 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 | 24,147 | 23,929 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $41,860 | $42,674 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $119,100 | $120,100 | +0.8% |
How West Memphis 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+)
West Memphis Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Crittenden County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 13,623 | $78,330 | 8.6% | $212,400 |
| Earle | 1,520 | $32,197 | 36.1% | $87,900 |
| Turrell | 496 | $55,000 | 36.7% | $67,900 |
| Clarkedale | 468 | $130,625 | 2.4% | $306,500 |
| Crawfordsville | 424 | $83,500 | 3.5% | $153,600 |
| Horseshoe Lake | 414 | $65,179 | 10.2% | $101,600 |
| Edmondson | 308 | $30,000 | 37.3% | $137,500 |
| Gilmore | 293 | $39,583 | 12.3% | N/A |
| Sunset | 153 | $27,614 | 21.6% | N/A |
| Jericho | 119 | $66,528 | 3.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to West Memphis
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% |
| Van Buren | 23,763 | $61,149 | $181,500 | 20.9% | 15.3% |
| Texarkana | 29,177 | $45,835 | $170,200 | 15.4% | 25.8% |
| Jacksonville | 29,221 | $49,666 | $163,400 | 22.1% | 19.8% |
| Russellville | 29,162 | $50,877 | $172,400 | 28.8% | 20.8% |
Population Overview
West Memphis is a small city located in Arkansas, within Crittenden County. The total population is 23,929. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Memphis is 34.1 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Memphis is $42,674. This is 30% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.1%. This is 82% 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 14.5%. This is 194% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $120,100. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, West Memphis is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in West Memphis is Black or African American, making up 63.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (28.3%) is well below the state average of 67.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (63.2% vs 14.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 9.0%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
13.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 83.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Memphis, 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.
Free data download: Get all Arkansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of West Memphis, Arkansas?
West Memphis, Arkansas has a population of 23,929 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Memphis, AR?
The median household income in West Memphis is $42,674, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Memphis, AR?
The poverty rate in West Memphis is 29.1%. This means approximately 6,826 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Memphis, Arkansas?
West Memphis's population is 28.3% White, 63.2% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Memphis, AR?
The median home value in West Memphis is $120,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is West Memphis, Arkansas?
13.9% of adults (25+) in West Memphis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.