Bull Shoals, AR

Arkansas

Bull Shoals is a small town in Arkansas with a population of 1,687. Residents earn $46,848 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,687 Population 344/sq mi density
$46,848 Median Income $33,659 per capita
$157,200 Home Value $204,709 Zillow
$670 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
153 Violent Crime/100K 1,478 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$46,848 median income, 5.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$157,200 home value, $670/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
153 violent crimes/100K (60% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,848
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $157,200
44% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 153/100K
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.8%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $670
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.2%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.7%
58% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.5%
64% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,687
Median Age58.1 yrs
Density344/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B
Median Income$46,848
Per Capita$33,659
Unemployment5.7%
Poverty4.5%
County GDP$774M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$157,200
Rent$670
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$204,709

Crime

F
Violent153/100K
Property1,478/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault102/100K
Burglary459/100K

Health

Obesity38.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.4 in/yr
Elevation645 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.8%
High School+87.3%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute24 min
Libraries1

Is Bull Shoals a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bull Shoals receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Bull Shoals has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bull Shoals is $46,848, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bull Shoals is $157,200, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $670 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Bull Shoals is below the national average at 153 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,478 per 100,000, 25% below the national average.

Education

17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Bull Shoals enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.4 inches, including 8.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Bull Shoals has a population of 1,687 with a density of 344 people per square mile. The median age is 58.1 years, 49% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.4%).

Population

1,687
Total Population
344
People / sq mi
58.1yrs
Median Age
49% above US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.6%
Female 51.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Bull Shoals vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.7%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.3%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bull Shoals vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bull Shoals is $46,848, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Bull Shoals vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,848
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,659
Avg Weekly Wage$793
IRS Avg AGI$52,740

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.7%
58% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.5%
64% below US avg
Establishments (County)310
County GDP$774M

Business (County)

Restaurants30
Healthcare25
Retail37
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,275
35% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.45%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.8 min
Work from Home11.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Bull Shoals is $157,200, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $670 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $204,709.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$157,200
44% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$204,709

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$670
42% 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-Occupied74.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,275
35% below US avg
Effective Rate1.45%
In Bull Shoals, 38.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 31.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bull Shoals vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.2%
19% above US avg
Diabetes11.4%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure35.7%
Asthma10.8%
COPD8.9%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity31.5%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress16.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.3%
Checkup Rate75.2%
Premature Death11,365/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access30.8%
Healthcare Facilities25
Bull Shoals has a violent crime rate of 153 per 100,000 residents, 60% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,478 per 100,000 (25% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent152.9/100K
60% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape51.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault101.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,478.1/100K
25% below US avg
Burglary458.7/100K
Theft968.4/100K
Vehicle Theft51.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bull Shoals has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.4 inches
25% above US avg
Snowfall8.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation645 ft (197 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²)
Population Density344/sq mi
Coordinates36.3736°N, 92.5915°W
County FIPS05089
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 17.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.4%
D 19.1%

Winner: Republican by 60.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.8%
47% below US avg
High School+87.3%
School Test Score4.91
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density344/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants30
Retail Stores37

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.8 min
Work from Home11.8%

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