Charleston, AR

Arkansas · Metropolitan Area

Charleston is a small town in Arkansas with a population of 2,611. Residents earn $60,058 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
2,611 Population 682/sq mi density
$60,058 Median Income $30,613 per capita
$116,500 Home Value $193,566 Zillow
$738 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
197 Violent Crime/100K 907 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$60,058 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$116,500 home value, $738/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
197 violent crimes/100K (48% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,058
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $116,500
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 197/100K
48% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.7%
33% lower than US avg
Median Rent $738
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.2%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.8%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,611
Median Age40.7 yrs
Density682/mi²
Male / Female46% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,058
Per Capita$30,613
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty3.8%
County GDP$9,255M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$116,500
Rent$738
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$193,566

Crime

F
Violent197/100K
Property907/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault158/100K
Burglary394/100K

Health

Obesity37.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.2%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.3 in/yr
Elevation500 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.7%
High School+90.8%
School Score4.91

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute32 min
Libraries7

Is Charleston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Charleston receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Charleston offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Charleston is $60,058, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Charleston is $116,500, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $738 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Charleston is below the national average at 197 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 907 per 100,000, 54% below the national average.

Education

22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Charleston enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Charleston has a population of 2,611 with a density of 682 people per square mile. The median age is 40.7 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.4%), with 4.4% Hispanic.

Population

2,611
Total Population
682
People / sq mi
40.7yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
3.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.5%
Female 54.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Charleston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.0%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Charleston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Charleston is $60,058, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Charleston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,058
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,613
Avg Weekly Wage$1,061
IRS Avg AGI$69,751

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.8%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,751
County GDP$9,255M

Business (County)

Restaurants302
Healthcare482
Retail538
Manufacturing156

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,305
6% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.0 min
Work from Home5.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Charleston is $116,500, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $738 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $193,566.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$116,500
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$193,566
Median List Price$122,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$122,500
$/Sq Ft$57
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio70.6%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory10

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$738
37% 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-Occupied71.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,305
6% below US avg
Effective Rate2.84%
In Charleston, 37.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.2% report depression. 28.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.2%
16% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure35.8%
Asthma10.8%
COPD7.7%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.8%
Physical Inactivity28.9%
Depression28.2%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress15.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.0%
Checkup Rate76.1%
Premature Death11,659/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access64.5%
Healthcare Facilities482
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 197 per 100,000 residents, 48% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 907 per 100,000 (54% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent197.2/100K
48% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape39.5/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault157.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property907.3/100K
54% below US avg
Burglary394.5/100K
Theft473.4/100K
Vehicle Theft39.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Charleston has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average62.4°F
16% above US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.3 inches
25% above US avg
Snowfall2.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation500 ft (152 m)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.9 km²)
Population Density682/sq mi
Coordinates35.2945°N, 94.0484°W
County FIPS05131
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.6%
D 30%

Winner: Republican by 37.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.7%
33% below US avg
High School+90.8%
School Test Score4.91
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density682/sq mi
Total Area3.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities482
Restaurants302
Retail Stores538

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.0 min
Work from Home5.8%

Nearby Cities

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