Blytheville, AR

Arkansas

Blytheville is a small city in Arkansas with a population of 13,026. Residents earn $49,928 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
13,026 Population 628/sq mi density
$49,928 Median Income $29,696 per capita
$101,200 Home Value $94,744 Zillow
$789 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
1,732 Violent Crime/100K 8,355 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$49,928 median income, 7.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$101,200 home value, $789/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,732 violent crimes/100K (356% above avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,928
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $101,200
64% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,732/100K
356% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.7%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $789
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 49.7%
55% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.2%
100% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.3%
7% higher than US avg

How Blytheville Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population13,026
Median Age39.1 yrs
Density628/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 36%

Economy

C+
Median Income$49,928
Per Capita$29,696
Unemployment7.2%
Poverty13.3%
County GDP$954M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$101,200
Rent$789
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$94,744

Crime

F
Violent1,732/100K
Property8,355/100K
Murder13.3/100K
Assault1,186/100K
Burglary3,451/100K

Health

Obesity49.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease7.1%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain51.6 in/yr
Elevation253 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.7%
High School+88.2%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute14 min
EV Stations2
Libraries2

Is Blytheville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Blytheville receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Blytheville has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Blytheville is $49,928, 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 13.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Blytheville is $101,200, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $789 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,732 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 8,355 per 100,000, 326% above the national average.

Education

15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Blytheville enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Blytheville has a population of 13,026 with a density of 628 people per square mile. The median age is 39.1 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (58.2%), with 35.8% White.

Population

13,026
Total Population
628
People / sq mi
39.1yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
20.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.2%
Female 55.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Blytheville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.4%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.6%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Blytheville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Blytheville is $49,928, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Blytheville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,928
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,696
Avg Weekly Wage$937
IRS Avg AGI$51,201

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.2%
100% above US avg
Poverty Rate13.3%
7% above US avg
Establishments (County)377
County GDP$954M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare32
Retail62
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,969
44% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time13.5 min
Work from Home1.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Blytheville is $101,200, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $789 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $94,744.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$101,200
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$94,744
Median List Price$90,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$90,900
$/Sq Ft$77
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio95.9%
Price Drops42.9%
Inventory28

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$789
32% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$700
1 Bedroom$751
2 Bedrooms$944
3 Bedrooms$1,239
4 Bedrooms$1,406

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied53.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,969
44% below US avg
Effective Rate1.95%
In Blytheville, 49.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.5% report depression. 37.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Blytheville vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity49.7%
55% above US avg
Diabetes15.3%
Heart Disease7.1%
High Blood Pressure46.8%
Asthma11.8%
COPD8.7%
Stroke4.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.7%
Physical Inactivity37.9%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress21.1%
Physical Distress16.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.5%
Checkup Rate80.5%
Premature Death14,551/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access48.6%
Healthcare Facilities32
Blytheville has a violent crime rate of 1,732 per 100,000 residents, 356% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 8,355 per 100,000 (326% above US avg). The murder rate is 13.3 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Blytheville vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,732.3/100K
356% above US avg
Murder13.3/100K
112% above US avg
Rape86.6/100K
Robbery446.4/100K
Assault1,186.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property8,355.0/100K
326% above US avg
Burglary3,451.3/100K
Theft4,643.9/100K
Vehicle Theft259.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Blytheville has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.7°F
12% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.6 inches
36% above US avg
Snowfall2.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation253 ft (77 m)
Area20.7 sq mi (53.7 km²)
Population Density628/sq mi
Coordinates35.9341°N, 89.9051°W
County FIPS47097
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.2%
D 31.1%

Winner: Republican by 37.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.7%
53% below US avg
High School+88.2%
School Test Score4.91
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density628/sq mi
Total Area20.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities32
Restaurants25
Retail Stores62

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute13.5 min
Work from Home1.8%

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