Widener, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Widener, Arkansas had a total population of 238, the 420th largest town in Arkansas, with a median household income of $45,938, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 3.2% 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 0.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Widener Quick Facts
How Widener 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 | 221 | 238 | +7.7% |
| Median household income | $43,750 | $45,938 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $50,000 | $41,800 | -16.4% |
How Widener 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+)
Widener Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in St. Francis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest City | 12,646 | $35,689 | 37.7% | $92,000 |
| Hughes | 886 | $43,250 | 41.6% | $69,800 |
| Palestine | 800 | $36,090 | 27.6% | $67,900 |
| Colt | 510 | $22,188 | 46.5% | $93,800 |
| Madison | 476 | $55,893 | 24.2% | $120,400 |
| Caldwell | 441 | $68,375 | 7.7% | $123,500 |
| Wheatley | 374 | $66,607 | 3.7% | $170,800 |
| Goodwin | 56 | N/A | 0.0% | $87,500 |
Cities Similar to Widener
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magness | 238 | $42,500 | $115,000 | 8.7% | 14.7% |
| Poplar Grove | 255 | N/A | N/A | 22.0% | 46.7% |
| College Station | 258 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Willisville | 246 | $52,328 | N/A | 16.8% | 4.5% |
| Emerson | 239 | $55,938 | $101,800 | 15.0% | 34.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 238, Widener'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
Widener is a small community located in Arkansas, within St. Francis County. The total population is 238. It ranks as the 420th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Widener is 27.8 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 38.5 years. With 31.1% of the population under 18, Widener has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Widener is $45,938. This is 24% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.7%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $41,800. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x, Widener is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 90.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Widener is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 47.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (47.9% vs 14.6%).
Education
3.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 88% 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 69.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Widener, 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 Widener, Arkansas?
Widener, Arkansas has a population of 238 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Widener, AR?
The median household income in Widener is $45,938, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Widener, AR?
The poverty rate in Widener is 8.8%. This means approximately 21 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Widener, Arkansas?
Widener's population is 49.2% White, 47.9% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Widener, AR?
The median home value in Widener is $41,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.9x.
How educated is Widener, Arkansas?
3.2% of adults (25+) in Widener hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.