Western Grove, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Western Grove, Arkansas had a total population of 438, the 321st largest town in Arkansas, with a median household income of $38,365, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Western Grove Quick Facts
How Western Grove 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 | 424 | 438 | +3.3% |
| Median household income | $40,625 | $38,365 | -5.6% |
| Median home value | $136,800 | $146,000 | +6.7% |
How Western Grove 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Western Grove Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Newton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | 453 | $30,929 | 29.7% | $183,900 |
| Wayton | 187 | $58,125 | 3.2% | N/A |
| Deer | 113 | $46,719 | 4.4% | N/A |
| Ponca | 73 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Mount Judea | 61 | N/A | 32.8% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Western Grove
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparkman | 430 | $39,063 | $74,300 | 10.9% | 17.2% |
| Strong | 434 | $36,063 | $66,600 | 8.8% | 35.9% |
| McNeil | 419 | $37,895 | $72,800 | 33.1% | 27.5% |
| Cove | 462 | $39,688 | $75,000 | 9.1% | 22.3% |
| Arkansas City | 456 | $41,900 | $104,700 | 13.5% | 16.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 438, Western Grove'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
Western Grove is a small community located in Arkansas, within Newton County. The total population is 438. It ranks as the 321st most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Western Grove is 31.7 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.5 years. 11.6% 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 Western Grove is $38,365. This is 37% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.8%. This is 80% 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 3.1%. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $146,000. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $188,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 74.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Western Grove has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.5% of all residents.
Education
13.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 88.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Western Grove, 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 Western Grove, Arkansas?
Western Grove, Arkansas has a population of 438 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Western Grove, AR?
The median household income in Western Grove is $38,365, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Western Grove, AR?
The poverty rate in Western Grove is 28.8%. This means approximately 126 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Western Grove, Arkansas?
Western Grove's population is 92.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Western Grove, AR?
The median home value in Western Grove is $146,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Western Grove, Arkansas?
13.0% of adults (25+) in Western Grove hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.